Hungry BF bubba

[anna&oli]

Hi all

My 9wk old has always been a big feeder, b ut recently has been emptying both breasts and is wanting moreat each feed. He's feeding every 2 hrs during both the day and night- which isn't letting me get much sleep. I have been contemplating putting him on a bottle of formula of a night to get a few more hours sleep between feeds. Is he too young for this??? Or is it a bad decision. I love bf but think that both of us need the extra sleep.

Any suggestions would be great

[the_queen]

Hi Anna! :)

I've got two words for you: growth spurt. Probably not what you want to hear, but the best advice I can give you is to keep feeding him on demand until the growth spurt passes. The more he sucks, the more milk you'll make! Giving him even one bottle a day can impact negatively on your supply, which can lead to you being forced to give more formula, which impacts even more on your supply... etc etc. I understand what you're saying about wanting more sleep, you poor thing :hugs: I guess all I can say is spend a few days doing nothing but sleeping and feeding. Bugger the housework - or, better still, call up all those well-meaning folks who said "oh if you EVER need any help with the baby just call me!" and ask them to come round and do your washing/dishes/cooking/bathroom :thumbsup:!!

You sound like a wonderful mummy, and I promise that once he settles into a more "normal" routine, you'll be glad you perservered through this time.

Good luck matey :hugs:

[Baby Girl]

I've got two words for you: growth spurt. Probably not what you want to hear, but the best advice I can give you is to keep feeding him on demand until the growth spurt passes. The more he sucks, the more milk you'll make! Giving him even one bottle a day can impact negatively on your supply, which can lead to you being forced to give more formula, which impacts even more on your supply... etc etc. I understand what you're saying about wanting more sleep, you poor thing :hugs: I guess all I can say is spend a few days doing nothing but sleeping and feeding. Bugger the housework - or, better still, call up all those well-meaning folks who said "oh if you EVER need any help with the baby just call me!" and ask them to come round and do your washing/dishes/cooking/bathroom :thumbsup:!!

What she said :thumbsup:

Demand = Supply and your little one sounds just the right age for a growth spurt. Don't worry it doesn't last forever - he'll grow a bit and then slow down and go back to 'normal' - whatever that is - after a few weeks.

[MariaO]

Another point of view - a lot of people give their babies a bottle of formula before bedtime - if you express and freeze the last feed it should not impact supply to badly.

I did this myself at various times and am still breasfeeding at nearly one year - but you will know your own body and circumstance best.

[Miaow]

I have recently started EJ (19 weeks) on some rice cereal (and a little fruit for flavour) as she was constantly hungry and some days feeding (or wanting to ) all time - I mean ALL the time. I think with her it is a growth spurt - the few weeks before this she actually didnt gain much weight which was the reason for the solid decision. This has happened in the past and my boobs have coped ok - but the amount she's consuming means i think something extra was needed lol

I took her to the GP last week for something else and he was saying at her age it was sorta a sign that solids could be introduced...

[anna&oli]

Thank you all,

I suppose i shouldn't complain. He doesn't cry at all so the lack of sleep could be a lot worse. I just feel like a dairy cow!!!!!:rolleyes: He's on me constantly:confused: I did express some last night and dh gave him a bottle before bed at about 11pm. I had to get some sleep, had major back pain. Oli took the bottle really well and dh loved giving it to him!!!! Feel so much more refreshed today after getting 5 hrs sleep in a row! Will keep perserviring!

Thanks the_queen, Just a quick question, can u ever get them into a 'normal' routine at this age????

Thanks everyone
Anna

[reAllytee]

Just a quick question, can u ever get them into a 'normal' routine at this age????

Unfortunately thats going to be an answer you wont like .... No.
You have to go with the flow at this stage & what the_queen advised about just sleeping & resting etc is the best thing right now some babies go straight into a routine others dont. Try & hang in there your doing a great job we have all been there & as others have said it doesnt last forever :hugs:
Its pretty much a case of bubs rules at this stage well actually from pretty much now on hehehehe.
Good luck we are all here if you need us :)

[Goosie22]

Hi Anna,
At 9 weeks the baby is still trying to establish your supply, any bottles not accompanied by expressing by you will decrease your supply. The link below is some hints on frequent feeding and how to cope with the demands.

Hang in there it gets easier the longer you feed.


http://www.kellymom.com/bf/normal/frequent-nursing.html

this one is about giving formula
http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/milk/infant-formula.html

[misskittyfantastico]

Hi Anna,
So glad you're feeling better...it's amazing what a few hours sleep (in a row!) can do!
As for routine....my DD turned 6 months yesterday:yelclap: and a routine is just starting to develop (I've tended to just follow her lead)
My main reason for posting was to say how gorgeous the pic of your little bubba is ....he's made me go all clucky!!!
Quick someone slap me LOL:laughing:

[Baby Girl]

Sorry to say it but neither of my girls had anything close to a routine until after 4 months or so - one bf and one on formula - so it might take a while for him to sort out his routine and for you to sort out yours and for the 2 of you to work them in together!

[doin'mybest]

Hi Anna

I totally know how you feel. My bub fed every 2 hours day and night for the first i don't know how many weeks (all a bit of a blur!). Eventually the night feeds got longer in between, but at around 7 or 8 pm he would feed for 2 or 3 hours straight :eek: Felt like he was a permanent attachment (even after 3 hours straight, there was still milk there)! By around 3 months though he was actually sleeping for 6 or 7 hours straight at night :smiliedance:

Good luck and i hope your little man lets you get some decent sleep soon.

[anna&oli]

Hi there,

Have been going pretty well. Had a rough day yesterday. Oli just wanted to be held and fed all day! I ended up being in agony last night about 5pm ( bad back pain from previous injury) and dh convinced me to see gp who put me on pain killers and told me to give oli the bottle for 24hrs. Best for us both.

Was in too much pain to disagree, so dh gave him the formula. Oli slept from 7pm till 2.30 when dh got up and gave him another bottle( i was feeling better but drugs still in my system) we didn't see him again till 7.30!!!!!!!! The sleep was great for us both,and hes back on the boob today. I was feeling really guilty but feel better this morning.

milliesmum thankyou- We think he is absolutely gorgeous too!!!!!!!

Thanks everyone
Anna