BabyWhispererForums.com
EAT => Breast Feeding => Topic started by: JennVanessa1083 on November 05, 2015, 20:21:29 pm
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Hello!
My DS is 22 weeks and is currently on a 4 hr EASY. He has been able to eat every 3.4-4 hours sometimes with a top up before the first nap. However, in the last two days he has been eating much more; wanting more top ups and even taking another full feed! Is this common for his age? Is he gearing up to take solids?
The pediatrician confirmed healthy growth and weight gain as well as teething in the lower gums...is he comfort nursing from teething or maybe a growth spurt?
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Sounds like a growth spurt. Let him eat like that for a few days to get your supply up to his needs.
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Ok sounds good! I didn't know there is a 5month growth spurt! Thank you!
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Some LOs have random growth spurts. I think my DD had one around 5 months. I remember feeling like she was pretty much attached to my breast for a few days - all she did was eat.
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Yes it's a crazy time right now! Between the growth spurts, a regression we just went through, teething, and shots- in surprised I'm still functioning haha!
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Hopefully things settle down soon!
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Yes it seems he's back to a 4 hour schedule ;D...I do have a question. When transitioning to 4 hour EASY (some days he still takes a top up), is it possible an additional NW will occur?
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Not sure about the NW. I've noticed NWs are more often tied to developmental leaps (physical and cognitive) than a change in feeding but I'm sure it's possible. It could also be from the growth spurt - trying to take more calories in.
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Yes, some BF babies will struggle to get enough milk from a 4hr EASY and wake at night to make up the calories if they have not taken enough in the day. Or you could keep top ups to ensure LO gets enough.
Extra NWs also happen at this age though as babies are cycling between light and deep sleep more thn the first few months of life.
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I think you're right lily_layne I think he is hitting a growth spurt or developmental leap. He is due for one next week but my LO tends to go through these a couple of days earlier.
That's interesting Ali but also makes a lot of sense. DS always needed a top up until just last week so it maybe that he still needs top ups or it just may be his age. I wI'll bring back the top ups and see if that helps.
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I have been doing top up feeds again and he still takes full feeds at night (every 2.5-4 hours). The times are never the same though. Is this a sign for solids? He is now 23 weeks. Not sure if anyone follows Wonder Weeks but he is the middle of a developmental leap not to mention he has been avidly practicing rolling and attempting to crawl. Could that be what's making him want to eat more?
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The extra movement could be increasing his appetite for sure. I would take it as a sign to start introducing solids. My LO took to solids like ducks to water. Didn't take long for them to work up to 2 big meals a day and they still did well nursing.
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Haha awwww!!
I think my DS would take to it pretty well. He's already showing interest in food and we did let him sample plain mashed potato the one night and he was totally fine.
I'm going to talk to my pediatrician as she was advising me to let him taste things now but wait until 6 months to start solids. However, he is a eating machine so I think he could benefit from the extra calories. Makes sense regarding needing more calories bc he's rolling over constantly, getting into crawl stance, and learning to sit up. He's doing so much and is probably needing extra fuel to do it!
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In the UK we are categorically told that wanting to eat more is not a sign that solids are needed just that more milk is needed. Most solids they take at this age will be less calorific and nutritious than breast milk anyway. He is approaching the age for starting solids but he won't get many calories from it to start with. It is more about getting used to new tastes and textures for the first couple of months.
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The advice is a bit different here in Canada (and conflicting depending on who you talk to) but there's a shift back to recommending solids starting at anywhere between 4-6 months depending on readiness.
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Here in the U.S. It also depends on who you talk to. However, I have heard from both camps: start solids at 6 months as well as starting between 4-6 months.
So I guess this is my LOs way of building my supple up for his growing needs? I guess my concern is not creating a snacking habit.
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The World Health Organisation are the world leaders in breastfeeding knowledge and research regardless of the advice of individual doctors in the various countries. They recommend exclusive BFing until 26wks. Either way it's beside the point really. I wasn't saying your LO wasn't ready for solids just that his demanding extra milk is irrelevant and not an indication that he needs solids. All babies demand extra milk at some time or another between 4-6mo but it isn't because they need anything other than milk. Hope that makes sense.
The three signs to look out for together are being able to sit unaided, able to put things (food) in his own mouth and absence of the tongue thrust reflex.
Many EBF LOs require top ups as A times get longer.
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Yes I have read that, they call it something with an "r" and I now can't remember the word!
Basically around 4-6 months (based on what I have read) increase the milk supply for their growing digestive needs. So as you said Ali, at some point between 4-6 months they demand more milk. Makes sense since I am finding this is the time where so much is going on with them developmentally and physically.
My LO is working on sitting up but is still in need of support so I know that one of the criteria for starting solids.
I think it was what you have both states, growth spurt and demand of increased milk because last night he didn't wake as much to eat. Only once then woke up just now to eat.
Maybe because I reintroduced top ups or maybe because he increased my supply. Who knows! :D
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Maybe because I reintroduced top ups or maybe because he increased my supply. Who knows!
Probably a combination of both. I'm glad he didn't wake as much last night!
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Excellent!