Too much milk?

[*Sandra*]

Sara, I'm not much help.  I found with reflux I had to toss EASY out the door! I kept with the ideas of it but didn't worry about the clock.  Today, Kayla slept for 3 hours during the day and after the terrible night we had I let her sleep, I now have a happy baby (who was starving when she got up)!

I think your timing looks good. I actually think 4 hours in between feeds is a lot for a little guy.  Don't they say smaller feeds more often can sometimes help with reflux?   

[becj86]

I don't know Sara... DS happily went to 4hr between feeds with no pushing quite early on and I was told to feed more frequently and we ended up in a nasty cycle of frequent feeds and gas.

IIWM, I'd try to feed 3hrly or further apart if he's not wanting to be fed (given the OAL and OS issues as well) but that's given my experience of one baby, L, who was just awful if I woke him to feed him in the early days when I was told to feed every 3hr in the day because  he wasn't gaining (due to my OS and foremilk overload, not undersupply ).

[ZacsMumme]

It's tough because he's feeding for comfort...really we have come full cycle as he initially was a sleepy feeder and went long stretches.  Is really obvious the comfort feeding too. But I was feeding if it was past 2hrs given he's so young and new recs saying after 2 hrs for NB is typically ok.

I haven't been waking him from his 1 massive nap in the mode of the day, here he will sleep over 4 hrs between Es. Last night he did 7 hrs between E (7pm, stirs at 2am so I changed and fed - I try to catch him sleepy as he then resettles in night well)

In the am he CN now, hence the feeding more freq. I think this is when his reflux is worse, also in evening as he wants to CF but I've had to limit it or we get into a vicious wind/gas/refluxing cycle!

MW suggested due to is massive weight gain and my observation of fluxing cycle that we space out min of 3 hrs. But I tried that yesterday and he was fussy. Today I went between ie 2hrs45 and he was ok, less OT for next nap but not too fussy after.

I guess I don't care about EAS - in a way I know it's going to be a mess. I just want to make sure the Bf side of it doesn't 'add' to the problem KWIM?

Bec - what you have written is what I'm thinking. He also feeds 'better' after a longer stretch. I just struggle with it as Z I fed and fed and fed and I swear looking back it made him worse.

[Fiver]

You've got to go with what you feel is right

[ZacsMumme]

Mmm ok I think I'm going to play it by ear. See what works for him. ATM feeds are erratic but consistent each day ie less than 3 hrs in am, then long gap 4hrs+ and he does a huge nap, then closer again before BT. Then massive stretch. I I try to change this he fluxes more.

Thanks lovelies....I'm just going to have to experiment I think - sigh

[Erin M]

Sounds like he does 2 different clusters during the day -- one in the AM and one in the PM.  Stick with what works -- the problem with this age is that it will all change soon anyway. 

[becj86]

I fed and fed and fed and I swear looking back it made him worse.

I found this with Logan just with the gas, so I can see how it would be worse for Z/T as well. I guess my turning point was knowing it was  making it worse and just did a few days spacing out and working on the gas - bicycling legs, etc. instead of feeding when it was comfort feeding to pass the gas. After a few days his gut healed from the foremilk overload too and that helped and he was like a different child. I don't think I could do that if LO had reflux though, yk?

Hope you find a way that works for you and T, Sara

[*Sandra*]

I think at this age it is not worth worrying too much about schedule.  You have to do what works especially because it is all going to change anyway.  I say if he is going to have a long nap in the afternoon - enjoy it.  Take a nap too if possible. I think maybe if you feed often make sure it is one one breast for a while, especially if you think he is doing it just to make himself feel better. 

I can't remember, does he take a paci?

[ZacsMumme]

Sounds like he does 2 different clusters during the day -- one in the AM and one in the PM.  Stick with what works -- the problem with this age is that it will all change soon anyway. 

Actually yeah, that is exactly it. His naps in am and pm are less settled, middle of day is long nap and loooong stretch at BT (7pm feed till 2am - insane)

So what I have done is tried to feed from 1 side if feeds are close ie 2hrs given I know it's likely comfort, and I don't want him to get worse with too much foremilk and wind et. It's working well. In the evening he gets 1 side too. (5.30-7) all other feeds if 3 hrs or lose to it apart or more is on other side. I think it's helping.

Granted the meds have hada chance to work too. And I'm finding the drops (infacol) are really helping with the wind.

Sandra - yup I can get him to take a paci. And I do he gets angry at it though if he's wanting milk. H doesn't cry much though this one, just yells a bit, squirms and makes noises along with gaping etc.

[*Sandra*]

It sounds like it's going okay which is amazing.

That long sleep is fabulous. If you can manage to get down with him or just after him some days you can get a really long stretch which is nice!  My DS did that long stretch as well and continued to do it forever although he didn't have reflux. Keep your fingers crossed!!

[ZacsMumme]

I have everything crossed lol. It's that stretch that enables me to get enough sleep to survive the day really.