Feedings - 6 mos old

[deanne11]

Okay - I am not a new mom but they aren't kidding when they say all babies are different.
While I had some challenges with DD, My DS takes the cake with sleeping/eating.

I'm so at my wits end.  I'm freakin tired all the time.

My DS will be 6 mos old next week and still wakes every 2-3 hrs to eat at night.  WTH?
He has started on mostly formula...still getting about 16 oz of breastmilk a day but he is also eating 16 oz of formual a day too.  And solids.  Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner?

I just started the oatmeal about 2 weeks ago.  Before that it was just formula/breatsmilk.  

Now - he is a big boy.  He is wearing 12-18 mos clothes and is 30 inches long and 20.2 lbs at 6mos.
I have a little football linebacker on my hands.

He usually takes a 2 hr nap in the morning....like 8a-10 and then again 12:30-2:30p. (he's in daycare so these nap times are not really adjustable)
He falls asleep at 7pm...I try and keep him up longer but I can't....he just is so sleepy.

He wakes at 10p- Midnight -2am and 4am and then finally at 6am or 6:30a for school.
When he wakes in the middle of the night...I do let him fuss but typically it breaks out into a full blown cry.  When I go in there....he acts like he's starving and guzzles 4-6oz each time.

Any thoughts?  Advice?  I'll be talking to his Dr but that is still 3 weeks away.

[cantwait4baby]

oh he is a big boy so he needs his food.  I think you are right - you have yourself a linebacker.  Eva is not even 20lbs yet and she is 11 months.

[mami1323]

My son is 4 months and is 17 lbs. 2 oz and 27 in. long, so I know what you mean about big boys.  My son is more of a sleeper than eater, he typically sleeps straight through.  I don't really know what it could be, does he take a pacifier.  I can prolong my son's sleep if I put a pacifier in his mouth.  He will tend to sleep a little longer between feedings that way.  Try comforting him in the middle of the night just by putting your hand on him.  Don't bring him the bottle unless he won't stop crying.  It will take some time to get him adjusted to not being fed.  He probably just expects it now and that's why he takes it.

[CYW]

wow sounds like a lil big guy you got there.. but they are soo cute lol...Mine will be 7 mos on the 12th and he is weighing at 16lbs..drinking about 32-35 oz of milk now THANK god..and is receiving solids...morning noon and supper..(cereal in the am and baby food for the rest) he sleeps good..Does he sleep alot in the day because i know cameron used to confuse his days for night at one point...sounds like a lil hectic over at your place...some babies never sleep their nights until 2-3 yrs old:S unfortunately...Cameron has his moments where he will go...hes in bed by 9 sleeping...and up usually around 8 but sometimes he wakes up at 2-6am...esepcially lately i think its the teeth...:S poor kids

[deanne11]

He naps 4 hrs a day sometimes only 2.5-3 but the typical day is 4 hrs of nap time.

I don't know what to do.  There are times when I let him fuss and he'll fall back to sleep without the bottle but then 30 minutes later - he's awake screaming bloody murder guzzling.

He is guzzling.  I don't know if anyone can relate but he sucks down his bottle in a minute or 2....6 oz.  It's not like he's just playing with it or using the feedings for comfort.

I know when he comfort feeds and when he's truly hungry.

[mami1323]

Aaawww, poor thing.  Maybe the pediatrician can give you some advice.  I notice that the more my son sleeps during the day, the better he sleeps at night.  I know it's hard to control what he's doing at the daycare.  I wish I could help you out more.  Maybe it's a growth spurt.

[deanne11]

Yeah - I don't know.
He's always slept poorly at night no matter how much he sleeps during the day but it seemed to subside for a few weeks with only 2 wake up times between 7p-6a.  Now it's crazy again.

[110279hld]

You could try giving him an extra bowl of cereal right before bed - I have to do that with my 10 mos old other wise she wakes up at 2 and wants to eat.  If I give her cereal right before bed I at least get till 5.  Good luck!

[CYW]

i feel for you...i mean its not always easy being a mom and taking on all of this doesnt add to very good..you need sleep too..as unfortunate as it may sound so that you can be well rested for that baby and your family...grr like mami said i wouldmention to the ped maybe he has some thoughts?

[mami1323]

Is he teething?  My son had teeth coming in and during the day he barely ate so when night time came he wanted to destroy the bottle.  He would wake up to eat, when he never did that before.  Something must be going on there.  I'm sure you're exhausted.  Can you get an earlier appointment with the doc?  Or call to speak with them any sooner?

[deanne11]

For insurance reasons, he can't have his 6 mos well check until after a certain date....has to be exactly 60 days from his 4 mos visit...ugggh.

As for the teeth idea.  Yes, he got one of his top teeth over the past two weeks.  But again, he has always been like this...it's not something new.

He already has two bottom teeth.

He eats fine during the day.  He eats fine all the time.

I never really worried until a few weeks ago when he took more formula and started solids.  When it was just my breastmilk...I figured he just needed that much.  But I am worrying now that introducing solids and formula has curbed his appetite at all

[mami1323]

That's just bs...I hate insurance.  You need to get rest...are you a stay at home mom?  Can your dh take turns with you for the feedings so at least you can catch a few more zzzz's until your next doctor appointment.  I can't even put my finger on it.

[AndiJ78]

I think a few lessons are to be learned from this:

-Solids don't "fix" feeding or sleeping issues. Likely it will continue no matter what until developmentally they are able to make those changes on their own. Some babies do not possess the ability to sleep through the night, mine were all different in when they stopped waking for middle of the night feedings. It stinks, but we are slaves to the babes ;-)

-I notice a common thread here over the years. A lot of mom's working outside the home with babies that don't sleep at night. My own theory: baby is taking advantage of having mommy around. Feel flattered, even in your sleepiness. I see it as baby wanting to spend time with mommy, even if it is the middle of the night. So much comfort is derived not only from spending time in the comfort of mommy's arms, but also from sucking on a breast, bottle, or pacifier.

And you can get an appt to discuss concerns separate from a well-baby check-up. Give them a call and see what you can set up or see if you can simply have a phone consult with the office PA or your doc.

[deanne11]

I agree with you 100% about the solids.

Everyone kept telling me give him food at like 3-4 mos.  And I refused.  Everyone said I was crazy to wait, except my supporters on here.

I wanted to wait until 6 mos.  I made it until 5.5 months and only tried it just to see if he'd take it.  And he eats it just fine but no matter....it never made a difference...or hasn't yet.

I also agree about the wanting Momma.  When I pick him up at daycare...he stares at me all night....he just can't seem to get enough of me.  And I do love it!

But why is he always eating....and hungry.  I'm not just imagining how hungry he is.  I think I was just worried it could be a physical thing.  But it's only been 2 weeks since the solids have started and I guess I shouldn't worry.  Everyone sees him and says how big he is....aren't I worried and I say no because that is all from Momma's milk....and that is natures best .....right?  Am I fooling myself?

[deanne11]

By the way - I am scheduling a phone consult with the Dr.  I am not bringing him in the office...we still have way way to many flu and virus outbreaks.  I don't want to expose him to more at the Drs office....I think a phone consult should be fine.

They are really discouraging us to bring the children in unless necessary.

Of course at this point, with daycare he's already been exposed to fifths disease, scarlett fever and pink eye in the past 2 weeks alone.....

[mami1323]

Keep us posted on what the doc says.  I hope you are able to get some sleep.

[AndiJ78]

Babies will suckle for comfort, when they are not feeling well, or when genuinely hungry. My boys nursed way more than any baby I have ever seen on here over the years. That is just how they were. 24/7 was not an exaggeration in my house for nursing babies during the first year. But that suited them and I was willing and able to go with their natural flow. As time went by, one would snack quickly and resume playing and exploring, my youngest is quite content to snuggle for quite a bit, and my first was glued to me it seems. By 12 mos or so my first and second were all about draining the breast in a matter of a few minutes but then wanted to get down and explore. My youngest likes to play, but would rather nurse and snuggle me for extended periods even still.

Point being is your baby knows what he wants, it is likely it will be different from any other child you have so it is like being a first time mom all over again. One thing I emphasize on here over and over is to follow your baby's cues. Babies cannot overeat unless being force-fed, a nursing baby cannot over-eat and a formula fed one fed strictly formula mixed correctly cannot either.

[peekawho]

How often and for how long is he in daycare?  I sometimes think that daycare every day, from morning til late afternoon, is simply too much, too stimulating, and too stress inducing for many babies.

The only thing he can do is cry.  And food (don't I know it well!) is often a source of comfort when we are stressed.  

Just wondering.  

[surprisebaby]

My dd did the same thing, but the cereal for a LAST feeding before bed Definitly helped.  Immediately my dd slept for an extra 2 hours.   Actually,  It worked for all three of my babies.  Good luck!

[deanne11]

Thanks so much for your thoughts and support.

It's been really hard with Jake.  He just always seems to be hungry.

Last night, however he decided to only wake up three times and one time he put himself back to sleep.  The other 2 times he did take 4oz each time.

When I picked him up from daycare yesterday he had his top two teeth were through.  So maybe all in all it was about the teeth.

The one teacher complains about him being so big and always makes comments about me pumping and giving him breastmilk - trying to tell me to do formula and cereal, etc....I just don't understand her point and to be honest...it's none of her business how I feed my child.

I'm tired yes and maybe it is because he is getting breastmilk and maybe it isn't but it's my choice.  He is a big boy....almost 30 inches long at 6 mos is big but he got that way on my milk alone (up until 2 wks ago that is)...I don't think that means he's unhealthy in his weight....it's just how he is and how he grew with my milk.

Peek - he is in daycare 7a-3p Mon- Fri....it's horrible.  I never had to do this with my DD.  She was in daycare for 1 month before I went home to be with her until she was a year old.....this is so hard on me.

[peekawho]

Try to make his time at home with you as comfortable and laid back as possible--lots of  quiet snuggle time.  

You're doing a good job!

[deanne11]

Thanks - I do.  I'm always holding him.  My DH always yells that I'm spoiling him....but can he really be spoiled at 6 mos.....

I personally don't mind getting up with him at night....if it was for the exhaustion part...LOL

It does give me extra 1/1 time with him.

[cantwait4baby]

I am very upset at what the daycare is telling you.  It gets me upset when my mom tries to tell me that I NEED to feed my dd x amount per day.  No I need to feed her formula and if she wants a snack I give her bananas or squash - her favorite. I wish I could hold dd as much as possible but truth is when I get home I have so much to do that I cant.  The weekends I am all hers but during the week I am trying to get everything done so that my weekends are free.  My dad will take her for walks while I clean and do laundry.  I too do not mind getting up with her.  She just started this about a month ago due to the teeth and I have no problem putting her back down That is my time.  It is quiet and just the two of us.

You are a great mom and a vocal one so tell that worker to leave you alone and Jake will eat as much as he wants.

It is hard, you have a little girl too - Double hard I cant even imagine but you are a great mom you will be fine.

[peekawho]

Also...if the daycare worker was a specialist in infant nutrition, she wouldn't be working at a day care center.

Just sayin'.

[deanne11]

She is just a older lady (and first time grandmother) who doesn't believe in breatmilk.  She always talks about how her DIL is formula feeding and things are great, baby is sleeping and eating well.  

Well good for her!

[cantwait4baby]

My dd is formula fed and yes, she did sleep and eat well until NOW.  ARGH!  So tell her that her DIL is in for it and although I do formula feed I also do know that Breast Milk is best.  She should knwo that as well since she is older.

I think the fact that she is a grandmother herself is what the problem is.  She wants to treat the kids in the daycare like her own which is wonderful in the care and love aspect but not in the advice area.  It is also a good sign that she cares about Jake and wants what she thinks is best for him that must make you feel good leaving him there but she also needs to realize he has a mom and he does not need the advice.

[wonderme]

Hi...your little guy sounds wonderful...and as I tell my kids, we all come in different shapes and sizes and that's what makes the world so wonderful!  It would be a boring place if we were all the same!  

My 3 mth old is over 13 lbs (officially weighed a month ago at ped's -- but best I can do on my scale!)...she will be double her birth weight by 4 months!  My older two were also good sizes and once they were toddlers to now they have always been 25-50 in weight (but 75-95 in height!).

My older two were also bf for months and then switched to formula...and my newborn is also bf (and bottle w/ pumped).  Since you have the ability to see how much he is taking during the day, can you see if he is able to take more at a time?  I read two interesting things (that obviously will NOT apply to all babies) -- that babies are capable of sleeping through the night once they reach 11 lbs. and coupled with them getting the necessary calories during the day (meaning until bedtime) most babies can sleep through the night.  Now sleeping through the night can be 5-6 hours or up to 10-11 (mine never did 'til much older).  Sooo, if they can feed him more ounces (doesn't have to be more times, unless he will only take so much at a feeding) and get his calories in before bed, then maybe he'll give you more uninterrupted sleep.  And, maybe try to feed him one more time right before you go to bed to top him off AND give him that extra mommy time he's craving right before he goes off dreaming.

May not work, but may be worth trying.  And, you are doing a great job...it is important that you stay rested (and thereby healthy) so you can take care of your family.  Next question -- guilt-free mommying -- does it exist?

[jenstam]

I want you to know that you are not alone. I am also a working mommy and still at over 8.5 months nursing my son every 2-3 hours, even overnight. I feel like nobody nurses more than I do! I also feel like nobody still gets up every few hours with their baby at this point like I do! Not to mention, we are still co-sleeping! Although, the last two days we have put him in his crib for naps and the first part of the night and he has done well, until he gets up for that first nurse (: A very good girlfriend of mine who nursed three babies and just got done weaning her third has some very specific rules that she feels not only she but everyone else should follow. She tells me that I should not be nursing more than every 4-5 hours and definitely should not be co-sleeping or nursing him at night at all. She also tells me that I should not nurse him after he is one and went so far as to not allow her sister to nurse her son in her presence at her home after he was one because it was gross and not necessary.

Anyhow, my point is that you do what feels right for you and for your baby. It's easy to get caught up on what other people are doing and comparing yourself to others but like you said, every baby is different. My son, at 8.5 months is still not very interested in solids. He would much rather nurse! I have forced myself to stop stressing over this and just do what feels right and what I know my baby wants. It sounds to me like you are doing the right things and should reward yourself for being in tune to YOUR baby's needs regardless of what others might think or feel. Good job Momma!

[deanne11]

Thanks for the input and feedback.  I'm willing to try anything.

The problem is he doesn't take more than 4 oz at a time from them.  At least as of late.

He was doing great 6oz each time until recently.  You know come to think about it, introducing the solids actually seems to have made things worse.

He did much better before when it was just milk.

I wonder if taking solids away would hurt him.  Here's a question?  Do you have to give them solids at 6 mos?  I want him to be capable of eating, swallowing, chewing....etc.  So I don't want him to lose that, but just wondering out loud.

[cantwait4baby]

Deanne - I was told not to give Eva solids during her episodes so I was not even allowed to start until 9 months.  The doctors at CHOP - 4 different specialsts all told me that formula was all she needed for the first year.  I even questioned the delay in her teeth and they said there was no connection.

[deanne11]

I know she is so excited about being a new grandmom but what works for her grandchild doesn't work for me.

She has to keep in mind I have another child and they are so different like night and day.  I'm not raising Jake and scheduling him the way I did Abby....they are different.
Abby needed and still does strict scheduling.  Formula and cereal worked for her, because she need routine...off by 10-15 minutes she have a breakdown.....to this day she is like that.

Jake - he's so laid back...nursing, eating and sleeping on demand is how he thrives.....
He doesn't do well on a forced schedule.

Anyway - it is nice to see she loves Jake and loves feeding him (even when told not too)...another issue in itself.  But man - save your advice for your DIL - I have my own Mother and MIL - trust me - they are enough!

[deanne11]

Hmmmm....very interesting about the solids.  Do you find it difficult to feed her now?
Any gag reflex?  Or did she take to it pretty well?

I just worry because Abby was already on 'real food' by 11 mos.

Jake does have 4 teeth now.  The top two pierced through yesterday.
I just don't want him delayed with the eating capabilities.

[deanne11]

Thanks for your comments.
I much prefer pumping and offering it in a bottle.  He does much better that way - especially with sleeping. And I know how much he's getting.

I was having him nurse more often the past few weeks since he started solids because I wanted to beef up my milk supply.

I got really sick and almost lost all of my milk.  I had a stomach virus for 7 days and couldn't keep anything down, got really dehydrated and couldn't nurse.  When I felt better,  I let him nurse all the time especially at night to enhance my supply.  That is when things started to get worse.

I am seeing a pattern....now that I've been able to write it out and discuss....Having it on paper has opened my eyes a bit.  

Thanks to everyone!

[cantwait4baby]

No she started to eat them right away.  She had her favorites - bananas and squash but I started her on state one even though she was 9 months old.  Then quickly to stage 2 because she was ok with it and now some stage three.  BUT the past week she will not eat and the doctor and research on the internet said that is normal due to the top teeth coming in.  Sometimes they dont want to eat.  She still takes her bottle so I am ok with that.  Her doctor, however, has told me she can now at 11 months start eating table food.  Anything I eat I can sqush up and give her but formual is still required for another month and the most important.  Yesterday she did eat some home-made carrots and loved them but still no baby food.

The doctors were very concered with the formula because that is where all the nutrition is.  Still , she only takes about 20oz of formula a day and she shoudl have more.  She is a light eater.  50th percentire for everything

[wonderme]

Yes, I would say that you have "uncovered" some of the possible causes.  He may now remember how nice it is to nurse and want it so often.  And, solids are NOT necessary during the first year -- it is only about them exploring tastes and getting the hang of "eating" food.  I'd check w/ his ped (during your phone call!) to see if there's a reason why you can't just wait a bit longer.

I was anxious to get my older two to eat food...just thought it would be enjoyable for them.  Now that I'm older and wiser, I am not in any rush (she's only 3 mths now anyway).  May do some btwn 6-7 months but slowly and gradually.

Also, kids' needs ebb and flow...maybe he doesn't need more than the 4 oz. at a time right now.  Can you be certain of two things, though?  One, are they offering him more than 4 oz to make sure he doesn't want it OR are they offering 4 oz b/c they feel that's all he needs or that's all the time they want to spend feeding him?  And, if he truly only wants 4 oz., are they willing to try and feed him more often so he can get more calories in?  

I know when I pump and see how much my daughter eats (I also like to know how much she's getting...maybe b/c when my older two switched to formula I got a feel for it) she tends to eat more in the morning and go longer btwn feedings, but as it gets closer to bed she'll eat less but eat every couple of hours.

Lastly, b/c he is older, have you tried offering a pacifier or just soothing him at least one of the feedings at night...just make sure that he really has had enough to eat during the day so that he doesn't have to eat...may be just a habit.  And, I also read about gradually trying to extend the time btwn feedings at night by soothing/comforting for 1/2  hour to see if they will settle back down...if not, then feed.  At this point you've extended the period by 1/2  hour...if that starts to hold after a few days...then you do the soothing for another 1/2 hour before offering food.  Then you've extended by an hour.  Eventually they learn to go longer btwn.  This is NOT for everyone (please don't yell at me!) but since you have to be awake and alert for work and he's so healthy (and seemingly capable of extending the time btwn) thought I would throw it out there.

Good luck!

[deanne11]

Thanks so much for all your input.

I think maybe me being sick is what started this whole mess.  Now he is nursing more so my supply comes back and he likes it.

Damn...feels like I took 2 steps back...oh well...he's only a baby once.

As for daycare - here is where I get ticked off....Sorry.
I provide them 6 oz bottles of breastmilk.  They say (recently) he'll only eat 3-4 oz at a time...and then they of course dump the rest (as I cry)  that stuff is liquid gold!!

I have always known this about Jake but he was doing great when he first started daycare but now he's reverting again.  

I think I even posted on here before about how little he eats during the day and how much he wants to eat at night....this has been from day 1 with him.

As for the extending by 30 minutes...I don't really see a pattern yet.  But the past three nights he has put himself back to sleep at one wake up time but only for 30 minutes...then wakes up and won't go back with food.  Now last night he woke up at 2:30a, I went in to comfort him and he slept until 5am...that was awesome!

[deanne11]

See what you just said there worrys me.  Jake is totally consuming a lot less milk than before solids came into the picture and I do not want that.  I know that is not healthy for him.

Ugghh....why can't parenting be just a little easier.

I guess all mothers have this...fear....I'm not doing enough for my child or making the right decisions.  

Well, all in all I'm going to back off on the solids a bit.  He knows how to eat, he loves it and is fine but it's to much on him if it's going to take away his milk and cause these disruptions at night.

[AndiJ78]

The composition of breast milk constantly changes as your baby grows, it really is natures perfect food. No other food does that. So be mindful of that when offering frozen stored milk, if it was pumped when he was 1 month old, it may not nutritionally have all he needs at 4 mos, etc.

Jen-Can I have your friend's email addy so I can give her a virtual B-slap?

And deanne, hook me up with the old bat at the daycare center. I am in a mood today : )

I was in a rush for solids with my first, started at 5 mos. With my second, I started at 6 mos. When I weaned neither of them literally grew an inch or gained a pound for 9 mos. They were huge kids anyway, but it alerted me to something. They grew as big and fast as they did because of what I gave them: breast milk.  CJ is the opposite, he is still nursing and still growing, albeit a bit more slower than the first year because he intaking more solids and on the move. But he is still a big boy.

I think in your heart you know what you want. You have received so much loving support here that I know you have the confidence to do this. And you also have the knowledge to know this is common. CJ still occasionally wakes at night to nurse. He did it every single night throughout the 1st year and up until a month or two ago it was nightly. We had a break, but now it pops up again here and there.

[mami1323]

Nothing is ever consistent with babies.  Anything can throw off their normal patterns.  A change in environment, sickness, teeth, growth spurts.  Every day is something new, my son will normally sleep through the night until the teeth started coming in and then once they broke through he was back to his routine.  If we are at someone else's house and he misses his nap times, he's wicked and then has issues sleeping also.  I think maybe you should back off the solids for a little while and see if that helps.  If it's doing more harm then good then it can't hurt to test it out.  Look, my son is 17 lbs. 2 oz. and 27 in. long at 4 months, so I'm sure when he gets to be Jake's age, he will be just as big.  The bigger they are, the more they will consume.  That really ticks me off how they are pushing solids and formula.  Yes, formula is more filling and Jake will probably go longer between feedings but breastmilk is the best.  I did both in the beginning and my son was just always starving with just breastmilk.  I didn't stick with it and regret it but he's doing fine with the formula.  Don't let anyone make you feel bad for what you do with your child.  It's YOUR child....you know him the best.

[cantwait4baby]

sorry what I said worried you.  I just know from all those doctors that formula/breast milk is what is required for the first full year.  Other stuff can be given to him - even table food but they say the formula/breast milk is where all the nutrition is.  Can you try to just keep pushing that on him let him eat as much of that as he wants.  only do solids as a treat?  I can tell you Eva get very little solids and it is mainly at my mom's house during the day because she thinks she needs it.  I dont mind as long as she is getting the formula.  One more month of formula.  I AM COUNTING THE DAYS - I will be rich.

[jenstam]

Andi-I don't blame you for wanting to do that. I don't argue with her...I just listen and then do what I want! It just amazes me how opinionated she is with those things. And, as I'm sure you can guess...she is a fan of the CIO method. She's a great friend...we just have very different views of parenting. I've been told by not only her, but my mother also, that we are creating a monster. Creating a monster because we nurse on demand, co-sleep and don't do CIO method. Ten years ago, I would have followed that advice. Now, I know that every child is different. He needs the extra nurturing and cuddles and I'm there to give him that 24/7 (:

[mami1323]

Everyone always has an opinion.  What works best for her may not for you.  My fiance's sister has always fed her daughter on schedule.  The poor thing would cry and cry and she wouldn't feed her until it was time.  Her daughter is 3 weeks ahead of my son.  I never agreed with that, I think it's cruel to let her go hungry because it wasn't her time to eat yet.  She's a baby and is starving.  I would never do that to my son.  Yet she tells me that I shouldn't stand and rock my son because he will get used to it.  I only do it if I've tried everything to soothe him and that's the only thing that works.  My son is a lot moodier than her daughter, he always cries.  Her daughter is very mellow.  We have different babies, my son is much more demanding.  We do what's best for our children and we know best.

[jenstam]

Would it be a bad thing if a baby got used to being rocked? Good Lord...

[mami1323]

I know, god forbid we show them affection and love.  Terrible people we are...lol.

[Michele, Katy, TX]

I didn't read all of the responses, but I have been having the same problem with my 9 1/2 month old.  And 5 a.m. comes very early each morning for me!!  That's when I have to get up.  My doc recommended giving her more food at night.  That seems to have helped some.  She tends to sleep for longer periods of time now.  So instead of only giving her one large jar of baby food at night, I give her 2.  I give her one when we eat dinner and then give her another one right before she goes to bed.  My doc also recommended giving her some of the baby foods that are higher in protein.  I give her chicken with apples and she seems to eat that okay.  It's strained.  There's no chunks in it, so it should be okay to give to your little one.  You may want to try that.  She goes back and forth.  She'll do okay for a couple of weeks and then kind of go backwards, but also keep in mind that your little one might be beginning to teethe also.  You can give him a little Motrin and see if that helps.  It helps my DD.  The teething thing could be contributing also.  Maybe DD wants something to suck/chew on more than the actual food sometimes.  I swear, I will try anything to get some shut eye!!!  LOL!

[ma2isiah]

My ped and the lactation consultants I work with told me you don't have to throw out the left over breastmilk. You can put it in the fridge and use it for the next feeding. That way those 2 ounces aren't wasted.  As for the getting up in the night.... DD sleeps well for the first 6-8 hours and then nurses twice and gets up at 6 or so. I am just hoping she will outgrow it. My son nursed once at night until 18 months and then just stopped waking up by himself. We will see for dd... Good luck. Wouldn't parenting be SO much easier if we felt rested. It is a hard enough job as it is, but being exhausted makes it harder.

[deanne11]

Thanks so much!  Having you all here to support me and my decision about offering my breastmilk to him helps with those who thing I'm insane.  He's not doing well now that solids have started.  But he also had 2 teeth pop through and 2 more about too.

Maybe all this is the teeth but he's never been a great sleeper so who knows.

And I'm considering a 3rd?  I'm crazy.  I know I can't put my body through that right now...now feeling as tired as I am.  

He woke up 3 times last night...once was before I went to bed myself....so no big deal but the 2nd time he was up for 40 minutes.  

He only wanted to nurse....screamed when we tried a bottle.  I'm wondering if the breast is softer on his gums.  Could be why he's being picky about having me.  

The 3rd time he woke up he was screaming and arching his back, grabbing his ears and face!  We didn't feed him but gave him tylenol (I hate to do it but I was certain it is pain related at this point) and a pacifer....slept for almost 4 hrs.....

Now that we have pinpointed it some (thanks to all you ladies for letting me write this out)....it helped having it down in words to really see whats going on.  

You are all the greatest moms and mom supporters out there.

Andi - I only pump daily and offer him the milk the next day...no stored milk.  I wasn't to bright on that end.  Didn't even start pumping until I went back to work

[deanne11]

You aren't kidding about formula prices.  or baby food for that matter.

Last weekend was the first time I had to go shopping for it.....

Drop $50 just on formula and another $50 on food....and to think that is only a month's supply.

Whew - that alone will keep me pumping.

[cantwait4baby]

Eva would not eat the powder formula I am buying the ready to feed. $35.00 for 6 days.  Almost $200 a month.  I only have one month left.

Eva has not been even wanting her baby food lately due to her gums.  She will take the bottle, she actually bites on the nipple.  I notice giving her Tylonel - which by the way the doctor said is just fine if she wakes up during the night while teething.  Well when I give it to her it makes her feel better and she does not want to sleep.  She is a backwards baby.  Ambisol (spell) helps her more then Tylenol I noticed.  Her top teeth are really giving her a hard time during the night.

[cantwait4baby]

oh and no you are not nuts for wanting another I think it is just us women in general.  As swamped as I am and not to mention I also only have a two bedroom house and although we are engaged we never actually got married I want another too.  I think it is just a natural woman thing.  I would have to move into a bigger house and re-arrange my whole life but I would.  I think we are going to try again at the end of the summer.  I plan not to gain 80lbs this time. haha

[cantwait4baby]

Sorry - one more question - you said he was arching his back?  That was the only sign my dd had that went on to be reflux.  Reflux could also cause the non eating issue?  Tugging on ears?  That would worry me a little too - you may want to have him seen sooner by a doctor.  He could be getting a little ear infection although that is also a sign of teething.  My dd never threw up or spit up it was the arching of the back that made the doctor concerned with reflux.  I know you are close to CHOP as well.  I have seen a few really good doctors there that may be a place to start if he seems bothered still by his feedings.

[deanne11]

Geez - I bought that ready made stuff once early on - because I was afraid he wouldn't nurse.  He slept so much after birth....LOL - I remember the week he was born he pretty much slept the entire week....lost like a full pound.

Why can't I have those days back!

I can't even imagine it.  Good for you though...it's so hard to make ends meet when you have a cost like that.

You know - I always wondered if he had reflux but I really don't think that is what it is.  I really think it's his teeth.  He did have an ear infection 2 weeks ago but the way he was grabbing his face I'm sure it was the pain of his teeth....especially with his reaction to the pacifer.

Last night was the first time he ever took a pacifer.  And within 30 seconds of it being in his mouth he fell fast asleep.  I even had in the fridge.  Heard advice way back when Abby was little about that.  The coolness helped a lot with swelling.

Well - if I do decide to have a third someone should just call for the white coats!!!!  

[kjbutcher]

right at 6 months should be a pretty big growth spurt.  Just what you wanted to hear, right?  That may be the cause of the guzzling.  Also right around 6 months is when AJ started getting into a night time routine and began sleeping a lot more during the night time hours.  I would give it a few more weeks and see what happens.  I bet by that appointment in 3 weeks, most of the issues are cleared up.