feeding ?

Im feeding him 2 1/2 to 3oz per feed and he stops himself, he will start falling asleep or start fussing like he doesnt want it. But then 2hrs later he wants to eat. He's killing me lol I try to feed him more but he wont eat it, do I really just have to feed him every 2hrs like he wants ??? Hes 2 1/2 months old and is 6.5lbs I need some help, nights are wors because he eats for about 30-45 mins then an hour and hlf or hr and 15min later he wants to get up and eat. Mommy isnt getting any sleep!! and im going back to work Monday morning!! any suggestions???

 

I'm sorry you're going through this- it sounds really tough (and familiar.) My boys at Ethan's weight ate every 2 hours, too. They're now 14 lbs and they still eat every 3 hours, though at night we're getting longer strecthes (maybe 4 or 5.) Hang in there- it will get easier as he puts on weight- his stomach will be able to hold more at each feed and he'll also become more proficient at eating- meaning it will take less time. Good luck starting work on Monday- I know how hard that is, too!

 

Mine ate every hour or so for the first few months. Then finally two hours, and after 5 or 6 months three hours. Hang in there. It's normal and it does get better!

Reyna

 

What was the schedule in the NICU? Mine were on a 3 hour schedule in the hospital but they must have hit a growth spurt soon after they came home as they went to every 2 hours. The NICU nurses told me to try to keep the 3 hour schedule but my ped said to feed them on demand. Like pp said it will get easier once he picks up weight and can go for longer stretches between feedings.

Good luck returning to work.

Christy

 

QUOTE(Flutterbymama @ Mar 8 2008, 02:13 PM) [snapback]659506[/snapback]
What was the schedule in the NICU? Mine were on a 3 hour schedule in the hospital but they must have hit a growth spurt soon after they came home as they went to every 2 hours. The NICU nurses told me to try to keep the 3 hour schedule but my ped said to feed them on demand. Like pp said it will get easier once he picks up weight and can go for longer stretches between feedings.

Good luck returning to work.

Christy



he was eating every 3hrs in the nicu. its getting alittle better today hes back to 2 1/2 3hrs now so i guess he just switches around all the time. thank u all for the encouraging words i know it will get easier. im just patiently waiting

 

That sounds pretty normal to me. Little babies have the tiniest stomachs, and they're growing so fast! Their energy needs are enormous, but their stomachs can only hold a teeny amount at once. You're doing a great job just feeding him whenever he's hungry. It's totally exhausting for you, but it will get better!

Any chance you could get some help with the night feedings?

I found that my babies went longer between feedings when they were just home from the NICU - I think it's because they were still in the super-sleepy phase. Once they got more alert and active, they wanted to eat more often. Maybe that's happening with your little man?

Hang in there, mama! There's light at the end of the tunnel. :hug99:

 

If your breast feeding this is normal even for single parents ... I had to go straight onto bottles as I didnt have enough milk and you can feed on 4 hour shifts with baby formula (my boys are now 13 weeks).

Have a good start back at work

Geo

 

My DS was an every 2 hours eater, it was murder. Even now, he won't go more than 3 without some sort of food (solids or bottle). But now he eats every 2-3 hours from 8a-7p, then sleeps 12 hours at night, so it's definitely worth it. Hang in there, it will get better.

 

That sounds very normal for a baby his size. If you keep feeding him often during the day, maybe he'll sleep a little better at night. What are his sleeping arrangements during the night? Is he in the room with you? Do you swaddle? Use a pacifier? It WILL get better as he gets bigger. :hug99:

 

Sounds about right to me. When mine got home from the NICU the 3 hour schedule worked during the day for a bit but at night it was a total mess. They never went more than 2 hours for the first few weeks. He sounds like he is right on track. Sorry you arent getting any sleep.

 

QUOTE(Raneysmama @ Mar 9 2008, 06:21 AM) [snapback]660054[/snapback]
That sounds very normal for a baby his size. If you keep feeding him often during the day, maybe he'll sleep a little better at night. What are his sleeping arrangements during the night? Is he in the room with you? Do you swaddle? Use a pacifier? It WILL get better as he gets bigger. :hug99:



He sleeps in his pack n play til about 3am then he sleeps in the bed with me (i know thats bad, but he sleeps better and I have a firm bed with no blankets around him) I swaddle him like a burrito real tight and he does sleep well once he is asleep. He likes his pacifier but drops it alot like he will only suck on it for a couple minutes then loose it

thank you for the support it has gotten alittle better last night as well.

also he is on formula not bm. thank u all ladies! Im hanging in there. I do get help on some night but since i wasnt working my dw would have to get up real early so i did it all now that im going back to work tomorrow we are splitting days up so she will have a few during the week which will help me alot

thank u all ill keep looking forward to all your posts!

 

QUOTE
He sleeps in his pack n play til about 3am then he sleeps in the bed with me (i know thats bad,


Hey, don't worry about it! You are in survival mode right now. If your bed is where he'll sleep, that is just fine! Take the sleep wherever you can get it!

 

sounds about right; mine were eating every two hours when they got home even though they were on a 3 hour schedule at the NICU. Their stomachs are really tiny, so hang in there, it will get better. Really. Good luck going back to work!