BabyWhispererForums.com
EAT => Breast Feeding => Topic started by: stuckunderhere on January 27, 2016, 13:06:24 pm
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He never finishes a feed and acts hungry all the time. 6wks old today, and I thought he'd want to be more awake by now for feeds. My other two boys were always so hungry and done within 20mins. This guy takes up to 60mins per feed because he's a snacker and just suckles after the first few mins. He never seems to empty properly... Help! He is getting enough from what I can tell with pee output, but I feel he's not gaining as fast as he would be if he fed properly.
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Hum, have you checked whether tongue tie is an issue? Both my DS and DD2 had a tongue tie and the LC explained they often fall asleep during feeds because it is so much more demanding for them to eat with the tongue tie. Especially is you feel he is not emptying.
Otherwise tricks I have used are to undress the baby for the feed, and if really needed, use a washcloth with cold water and rub it on him it will help keep him awake. Not fun but it does help to keep him awake.
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What impact is his reflux having? Has it improved by now?
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Same boat so I'll be interested in responses. DS takes forever to eat. Generally do one side for 20 min when he dozes or falls off, burp him, then offer the other side. Usually goes another 15 min.
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He has a lip tie, but it's not been an issue. Latch is okay. HE is hanging on to the 14th% for weight (I have a home baby scale so I weigh him often), and gaining 1oz per day, but never more than that. I guess he's just a lil guy. My other 2 were huge babies!
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I think he is gaining fine! LC always said 20-30 grams per day so he seems to be doing more than fine.
FYI my LC and the Dr who cut DD's tongue tie both said 99% of the time if there is a lip tie there is also a tongue tie... Sometimes the tongue tie is posterior and only seen with expert eyes.
is he still falling asleep as much while feeding?
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every.single.time!
I'll ask about tongue tie at his 2mo appt. And yeah he seems to be gaining about 20-25g/day or so.
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Maybe he's just a sleepy baby!
But I would keep on watching the weight gain just to be sure.
If ever you need an LC let me know I have 2 amazing ones to recommend that are great at recognizing tongue ties.
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2 things kept our LO from falling asleep while nursing when she was very small:
1. Lightly massaging the palm of her hand.
2. Undressing her top layer of clothes. We made sure she wasn't cold of course, but not being too wrapped up and snug seemed to make her much more alert!
Hope this helps!
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I had this (long sleepy feeds, not lip/tongue tie), ESP with dd1.
Rubbing my dds' backs and/or unlatching and latching back on were helpful to keep my dds feeding and not nodding off! Blowing gently on her face could also help sometimes.
Also, if he's taking such long feeds (60 mins?) maybe he never gets really hungry before the next feed. (Maybe the acting hungry is wanting to suck more than actually being hungry?)
Perhaps try stopping the feed after 30-45 mins, say, and seeing if he takes a better feed next time?
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yeah he is a very "sucky" baby... I think his feeds are somewhat shortening now. 35-45mins instead of 50-60. Yay!
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that's great :)