Breastfeeding and NFs

[FPT23]

I have a sudden, curious question!

How do you know when baby wakes nights out of hunger or just needs resettling?

For the last few nights my 2 month old has started waking more frequently at nights. However, he only eats really well for one of the wakes only. He's always just woke once a night to feed between a total of 8-10 hour nights. He's always been pretty good at night stretches since he was weeks old. Ranging max 8 hours and the least 5hrs.

I know it's common during GS/developmentally to wake more at nights or be more hungry, but how do I know it's really a hunger wake?

Last night he woke around 12:30am, 4am ...then was unsettled every hour after that. I offered him feeds each time; the only one he really ate at was the midnight one.

This past weekend his stretches have been less and less, and last night, waking at midnight was random. I know these are signs of GS and I've been giving extra feeds during the day for sure and always have...

When should I feed? Or just comfort instead? How do I kno? Thank you!!

 

[FPT23]

Oh and also-

Are the cluster feeds best to stop around this time? Or still needed? Xoxo

[michaeljacknnugg]

We cluster fed until around four months, when bedtime became a lot quicker.

Re: knowing whether to feed or not, my general rule is to automatically feed after 2hrs, since breast milk can be digested in 1.5 hours. Earlier than that and I try something else first. However, my guy seems to do some really short stretches following a good long one, so it depends on how the rest of the night has been also.

[FPT23]

Thank you! I'm sorry, what do you mean when bedtime became quicker?

Hmm .... Mine commonly always slept long and after his 12am random feed, the 4am one (4hrs) he barely ate. That's usually his normal night feed.

So I wasn't sureeee...

[michaeljacknnugg]

It used to take 2-3 hours to get him down for the night, now it's 1-2!

If he's not really eating at a feed then I'd try something else first.

[FPT23]

Ohhhh I see! How old is your baby now? Still takes 1-2 hours? Sounds like my baby! Until recently it stopped thank god. It would take hours!!

Yeah he eats but a tinyyyy bit and always just two hours after his normal night feed. But as I mentioned he's gone well into these hours fine before. I do offer to feed him but it's more comfort and he falls asleep

I'll keep that in mind though! If he's only nibbling and falling asleep I'll unlatch and try something else! Last night I tried paci and holding.. Not having it! I gave in b/c I was too tired and I knew my toddler would wake early so I wanted a little more shut eye!

[michaeljacknnugg]

He's just turned 5 months.

Might be worth looking at Pantley's gentle removal plan if you feel he really doesn't need that feed. Her book is a very good read.

[FPT23]

I have her book! 

Thank u

[FPT23]

Hi! I have anther question but nothing to do with the original topic. I just didn't want to start a new thread!


....is it normal that my baby's breath have a sour/foul smell to it? Or could this be signs of something else? An infection? ...my breasts are good- no signs of anything going on. But his little breath smells differently and more like "bad milk" ...this is new to me and him too. It wasn't like this ever?

Any one else relate?

[*Ali*]

Could be reflux/intolerance.

[FPT23]

Hmm.. He does and has usually cried after every meal... Not always. But I always thought he was just sleepy and comfy so would get mad but lately he's fussing at the breast again and has me wondering....

He doesn't spit up often. I guess I'll bring it up to his dr

[michaeljacknnugg]

Yes, I would. It does sound like he's a bit uncomfortable.

[FPT23]

Yes it's not always. Sometimes he's good!

But I doubted my supply at first, then I thought maybe he just enjoys to suck and be there since he normally gets comfy and drowsy... so he would get upset. Or figured he's OT too...

But now I think it could be silent reflux as he doesn't spit up bad or often?

Tips to avoid discomfort? It's frustrating and discouraging after almost every meal and during sometimes.... He eats in football hold so elevated for sure, I always burp him and never lay down immediately after... All that.

Guess I assumed breast feeding I avoided these things haha

[*Ali*]

Loads of tips on this post for dealing with reflux Reflux 101 - General reflux information

[FPT23]

Ty!