Can someone please have a look at my EASY.

[rhi2005]

Just wondering if someone can help as my EASY is allover the place and dont know where im going wrong. I go back to work in 4 weeks so need to try and get this sorted. She doesnt have a dream feed and can settle herself to sleep easily most times.My little girl is 5.5 months now and this is her routine at the mo.

7.15 - Wake up
8.30 - Eat (wont take bottle any earlier poss due to reflux) 6oz
9.15 - Sleep
9.45 - Wakes up
12.00 - Eat (5oz)
12.15 - Sleep
12.45 - Sometimes wakes up but other times sleeps for 2 hours
2.15 - Wakes up
3.30 - Eat (6oz)
4.00 - Sleep
5.00 - Wakes up
6.30 - Bath
6.45 - Feed
7.00 - Sleep (settles herself most nights within 30 mins)

[rhi2005]

She also woke at 2am this morning but wasnt crying. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. x

[charmie]

The only thing that jumps at me is that 30 min nap.  But she seems to be making up for it during the day.  What is it exactly that you need help with?  WHy do you say your routine is allover the place?


xxx
charm

[rhi2005]

I think its that fact that she wont take her first bottle until 8.30am which knocks the other feeds off which means she is feeding every 3.5 hours. Also she sometimes has a nap straight after her bottle. For example feeds at 12.00 then down for a nap and also feeds at 3.30 then down for her last nap. No matter what I do I cant get past that 30 min nap on a morning. I suppose I shouldnt complain if she sleeps through 7-7 most nights however the last 2 nights has woke at 2am but not crying then gone back off. x

[charmie]

Can you post the amounts of milk she is taking at each feed please?


xxx
charm

[rhi2005]

This is what she usually has in a day which is much better than what she was doing before she started the thicker milk for reflux. x

8.30am - 7oz
11.30am - 5oz
3.30pm - 7oz
6.45pm - 7oz

[* Paula *]

What size teat are you using?

How does she act when you offer her the bottle first thing in the morning?  My DS never used to want to eat as soon as he woke in the morning.  He would always want time to play before having his feed.

I see that there is only one feed which is spaced 4 hours apart, the rest are 3, have you tried feeding 4 hourly for all feeds?

[rhi2005]

The thing is if I fed 4 hourly it would interfere with her naps so she would be feeding at 8.30, 12.30, 4.30 and 8.30pm but she goes to bed at 7pm so how would this work?

[* Paula *]

I see it does make it difficult with your lo refusing the bottle earlier.

What size teat are you using?

[rhi2005]

I have been using level 3 but also tried variflow but no change.

[* Paula *]

Hmmm, I am stummped 

How is she coping with her reflux now she is on the thickened formula?

[rhi2005]

She is a little better on the thickened formula but still wont take that first morning bottle well and yesterday would not entertain the mid morning bottle either. Just kept biting the teat and crying when I persisted. I really thought the thickened formula would be a turning point for her as I have heard so many good things about the Enfamil. I wonder if I should try the zantac with the enfamil. I suppose she could also be teething. Im so confused and I get myself so worked up when she refuses her feeds.

[charmie]

I was going to mention teething too.  How old is she?  And how long has this been going on?


xxx
charm

[* Paula *]

If the docs have prescribed Zantac as well, I would definitely consider giving it a try.  It could be that her reflux is not 100% under control.

Is she showing any signs of teething?  If so have tried rubbing teething gel on her gums a few minutes before a feed to see if that helps ease any of the discomfort.

[rhi2005]

This has been going on for a while now which is why we got prescribed the Enfamil which does make things a bit better but she is slowly going back to her old ways. I dont think she is fussed if she eats or not. I have been using the Ashton and Parsons teething powders over the last couple of days but so far not much difference. Im wondering because they are herbal they might take longer to work. Also im thinking of trying the zantac alongside the Enfamil AR even though our Pead told us not to use them together. I just dont know how much longer this is gonna go on for. All my friends babies are thriving and guzzling 8oz bottles but its a struggle to get 20oz a day into my daughter. I wish they could tell us what was wrong. Bless her. x