How to tell when baby is overeating

The baby that BFs usually gets formula too because I don't make enough milk to feed her. After I BF her, I usually check her hunger level by offering her a bottle and she usually refuses it if she is not hungry. In the last 4 days, I have given her a meal in the evening (when I have the least milk) she has wanted a bottle. So I gave her 2 oz (half of what she usually eats if she does not BF. After the bottle, she continued to root so I gave her more. Somewhere during the second bottle she vomited up what looked like most of the contents of both bottles. Very violent and through the nose. So she seems to be overeating or I am misreading her signs. She does like to suck for comfort so maybe she just wanted a pacifier or the boob again but I just don't know. She does not spit up much at all and has not done this before the last few days. Since it has happened twice, I am concerned and want to make sure this stops. Anyone have similar experience and can give me advice? Thanks so much!

 

Babies will usually suck if you put a bottle in their mouth even if they are not hungry. Does she take a pacifier? Also, why do you think you aren't making enough milk? It's tough to manage feeding both especially when the babies are so young because your body is relying on them to dictate how much milk to make. If she's getting formula too that's several ounces that your body is not getting the message to feed. Can you go to just BF to see if your body will make enough?

 

She does take a pacifier -- should I try that after meals? My Dh has not been very supportive of all the effort I've put into BFing and we just had a long talk and he said he will try to remember to let me BF instead of going straight for the formula if he is the first to get to a crying baby. It's been hard trying with no support at home.

 

I'm so sorry. I can't imagine. I'm lucky to have a very supportive DH. When babies are crying, rooting, cluster feeding and hungry in the first 3 months it's so easy to blame BF. You feel so desperate (so do the DH's) and want to find a fix. In reality, it's just babies who are under 3-4 months. It takes a while to regulate. You will notice a huge difference if you just BF. Try a marathon if you really do think there are supply issues. Your body knows what to do as long as your baby has a chance to tell it. If you don't need to feed formula, I wouldn't. It will give your body and baby a chance to coordinate efforts!! It's a beautiful thing.

 

Yes, there is a good chance that they are overeating, especially if they like to suck! I would try the plug after eating. Sometimes dh's just don't have a clue. There are other ways of making a baby happy. I swear there should be a line in our carpet where we 'paced' with the twins to get them happy. Yes, sometimes only momma's milk will do. I think that is the easy way out for most dh's! For example: Lately, even if I had just fed Evan, dh will claim that he is still hungry. He just wants the 'easy way out.' But, I guess at least he comes to me. It helps that we have never had formula in the house!
I would try not to offer the bottle afterwards. Evenings are when you feel you have less milk. The more formula you offer, the less likely that you will have enough milk to satisfy them. It could also be a growth spurt so I would offer the boob again if they seem hungry after a feeding. That will help increase your supply. There are times when you will feel like you don't have enough milk. Watch the diapers, attitudes & growth. Those are the sure signs of how much milk you have!
:hug99: Sorry about the lack of support. That adds to the difficulty level.

 

I remember the first time DD spit up out her nose, DH and I freaked. DD was a spitter from early on but it was the worst from 1-3 months. I agree with Jackie and Liesel's posts. We recently started to wean so DH is on bottle duty at night. I am sure that he would tell any other DH how great nursing was. Sometimes it takes pointing out that mursing or not they will cry. Our DS cried/fussed until about 3 months old. I didn't notice if your twins were early, if they were it will take longer and start later. For us the hardest time was 1-3 months. There was a lot of crying later in the evening and night. In hindsight it was the hardest thing I've gone through and I wish I could have just relaxed and known that babies cry - a lot and it has nothing to do with being hungry. Remember too that liquids look like a lot more coming out of your babies mouth/nose than is really there.

It really will get SO MUCH better (I wouldn't even mind another set of twins - it would be like a do-over!) you just need to survive another month or two. There were times that I set goals of being able to handle it for one more hour.

 

Thanks so much for the support, encouragement, and advice ladies! We are gonna try your suggestions and keep my BFer off the bottle after meals and see if a nursing marathon this weekend can help bump up the supply. Will let you know how it turns out.

 

QUOTE(Reggie95109 @ May 28 2008, 03:20 PM) [snapback]797916[/snapback]
Thanks so much for the support, encouragement, and advice ladies! We are gonna try your suggestions and keep my BFer off the bottle after meals and see if a nursing marathon this weekend can help bump up the supply. Will let you know how it turns out.



Let us know how it goes!

 

It's hard to remember that far back, but my girls did take a paci and I knew they were still hungry if they weren't happy with the paci. I'd try to offer the paci first, if they do a suck, suck, cry sort of thing, they are looking for more food.

 

Thanks Melissa -- the pacifier idea has put a halt to our problem so I am really glad you suggested it. I feel silly that I didn't think of it lol.