LO can't last 3 hrs - change EASY?

[LittleTacker]

Hi everyone,

my 7 week old LO can no longer seem to last 3 hours between feeds. He lasted almost 2 weeks on 3hr with no problem but is now SCREAMING for food anywhere between 1.5 and 2.5 hrs. He is also feeding for 30m+ when he used to feed for 15m tops.
I thought it was a growth spurt but it's been happening for over 4 days now.

These times reflect me using a dummy and all kinds of AP for up to an hour to prolong the feeds. He is very upset during this time. I feel disgusting as a parent when this happens but I'm so petrified of making mistakes and creating a feeding monster that I am just doing whatever I can to get him to 3hr. Surely this is just defeating the point of listening to his cues??

He is a terrible napper - could this have anything to do with it? Could he be so OT that he is just giving me "hungry" cries cos he doesn't know what else to do??

Typical day for us (times change but the root problems remain!)

E:6.25
A: 6:55 -7:25 (p/s, pu/pd 7:25 - 8:05)
S: 8:05 - 8:35
A: 8:35 - 9:20

E: 9.20 - 10
A: 10 - 10.25 (p/s, pu/pd 10.25 - 10.45)
S: 10:45 - 11:15
A: 11:15 - 12:15

E: 12:15 - 1
A/S: 1 - 3:30 (in a sling with DH, catnapped for 10m bursts throughout)

E: 3:30 - 4:15
A: 4:15 - 6.05 (includes bath, massage, cuddles)

E: 6:05 - 6:40pm
S: (p/s, pu/pd 6:40 - 7:30)
S: 7:30 - 10:15
E (DF): 10.30 - 10:45

[consmummy]

My first thought would be a growth spurt, DS was feeding nonstop during them.

Also, and this is just my opinion, it's not a good idea to try not to feed if your baby is clearly hungry. It's not nice for baby to be made to wait until the 'right' time. Doing this can also affect your supply if you're not careful, as your baby is wanting to feed more to stimulate your supply so you produce enough.

EASY is meant to be flexible and I'm by no means an expert but I'm sure someone will be able to tell you how best to work the EASY routine around growth spurts and your baby's needs.

[~ Vik ~]

Hi there

Just wanted to echo pp, if your babe is showing hunger cues then definitely feed!  Have you read these FAQs?
http://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=66001.0
http://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=64627.0 (this one focuses more on newborns, but the information still applies

EASY really is about providing a predictable routine for our los, and watching for their cues rather than scheduling them by a clock.  You may find that sometimes your EASY looks more like EAEAS, or EASAE.  Focus on separating feeding and sleep by some kind of activity as much as possible (even if it's just a diaper change!), and feed when they are hungry.  Your milk supply will become better established and you will have a happier lo!

Let us know how you are doing!
Hugs,
Vikki

[First Time Mom]

I agree with pps. Your lo is also very young so I would be feeding on demand but following a very loose EASY- just basically making sure you are not using props and feeding to sleep if possible.

My ds is slighly older than yours and he still can't go much more than 2 hours during the day usually. I always feed him when he cries and starts sucking on his hand. Trust me it's much easier to feed them immediately when they are showing you they are hungry than it is to try and pacify them to stretch out their feed times. Their feed times will stretch out in good time, when they are ready for it. You won't create a feeding monster, instead you'll have one happy and content babe on your hands and I'll bet the naps even improve!

[LittleTacker]

Hi Marian,
yep, you are totally right, I'm going back to my instincts and doing what I feel is what he needs rather than freaking myself out trying to adhere to a schedule that he isn't ready for.
Being a mum has made me realise what a total control freak I am! When everything goes to pot, which it does on a regular basis cos I am dealing with a HUMAN not a machine, I have a melt down and think I am being a bad mum.
Now I know that I just have to stop trying to do it "right" because there is not "right" only what is right for my baby.

He's still eating every 2-2 1/4 hours except at night when he can go for long stretches with no problem.

My doc who is a EASY specialist has asked me to stop doing that though (letting him sleep 6-8 hours at a stretch during the night) because she thinks he isn't getting enough calories during the day and that is why he can't stay asleep.

She's told me to feed him at 9pm as well as his 6pm and DF. He's now waking more frequently during the night for food as well as during the day.
Previously he was doing only the 6pm and DF then waking about 3am, then again at 5ish and eating every 3hrs during the day, quite happily, not by the clock.

So I'm pretty confused about the whole thing really! I'll keep going with the extra feed in the evening though and see what happens.

Thanks for your support,
Bec

[First Time Mom]

I'm surprised the doctor wants him on such a schedule, I can understand formula fed babies can go like clockwork but bf babies are different- our supply changes through the day, etc. Babies tend to go on their own loose routine (ie. my ds feeds frequently in the day and goes pretty good long stretches at night now). I can still work around him and plan out my day to a certain extent.

I'm a control freak too so having babies is hard on people like us! I found other ways to "feel" in control, ie. I fill out a daytimer with every feed time that he has and which side (L or R) I feed him on, I also write what time I gave him his bath, and how may wet diapers he has. I don't "need" to do this but I like doing it- it makes me "feel" like I'm controlling something . I have learned to control stuff, not people

[LittleTacker]

stuff, not people.
i LOVE that!

my log is about as detailed as it's possible to get. i even have a little key for all my abbreviations! ahh, whatever gets us through the days!

Thanks for your support, just when i needed it most.

B