talk to me about 6 week growth spurts...

My twins were born at 35w3d and turned 6 weeks last Thurday and our normal 3 hour feeding durring the day and 4 hours at night has gone out the window and they want to eat what FEELS like all the time.... The ped put them on rice cereal to help w/acid reflux symptoms and i thought that would also have the beneficial side effect of making them feel fuller longer but it seems to have had the opposit effect is this wierd??

Does this sound like the 6 week growth spurt that everyone talks about? and how long does it usually last? When can i expect them to go more than 2.5-3 hours in between feedings again??

Thanks so much im feeling a little overwhelmed even w/dh's help oh and the reflux sypmtoms that make feedings painful doesn't help either OY

 

Are they on meds for the reflux? Some babies actually eat more when they have reflux to soothe the pain, while others refuse bottles. My babies were on a 3 hour schedule until 8 months, so I am not sure I can help!

I will tell you that you are at a really tough point agewise, and it will get better! :hug99:

 

I don't know about a growth spurt but both my babies still eat every 2-3 hours during the day, they just started stretching out to a 4-4.5 hour stretch at night the last 3 days, but during the day they are eating machines!

 

Mine still eat every 2 hours on the dot. Sometimes every 1 1/2. I formula feed DD and breastfeed DS and both are on the same eating schedule. My DD too has been so fussy the past two days. I have dared anyone to wake her when she is sleeping.

 

QUOTE(becky5 @ Nov 11 2007, 11:41 PM) [snapback]491144[/snapback]
Are they on meds for the reflux? Some babies actually eat more when they have reflux to soothe the pain, while others refuse bottles. My babies were on a 3 hour schedule until 8 months, so I am not sure I can help!

I will tell you that you are at a really tough point agewise, and it will get better! :hug99:


Ditto to what Becky said. Also I found that the rice cereal does nothing for them in terms of filling them up. I added 2 tsp of rice cereal per ounce of formula and they always ate at every 2 hours at that age.

 

I still have days that seem like they are eating every 2 hours. I chalk it up to a growth spurt. It has been getting better though. The overwhelmed feeling will subside. Of course, if they don't, you might want to talk to your OB or primary about PPD. The overwhelmed and the crying were my 2 big symptoms. :hug99: Just hang in there. Take it one day at a time, or even half days.

 

Our boys are sleeping in 3 hour stretches, sometimes 4. They get really cranky around 9:00 and just want to eat constantly. They take 6oz each time they eat, but at night, it's more like 9oz between 9:00-12:00.

I've read that cereal really doesn't help them sleep more or longer...something about cereal actually having less calories, I think? So, they probably aren't as full as you might think. This is the hardest part of having newborns. You feel like you're constantly holding and feeding and changing, and the truth is...you are! It'll get easier here pretty soon, just hang in there.