Could he be ready to move to a 3.5 or 4hr EASY already?

[Lu Lu]

We're having all sorts of ongoing issues with DS (now 11 weeks). Basically he's on ranitidine for reflux but it's not helping. I started him on colief to see if that helps and so far no conclusion so will carry on. He is not putting weight on and I am very worried about lots of things at the moment. His current EASY looks like this;

E: 7am
S: 8:15/8:30am
E: 10am
S: 11.15am
E: 1pm
S: 2:15pm
E: 4pm
S: 5:30-6:30pm
E: 7:15pm
S: 8pm ish

wakes A LOT in the night but that's another issue.

The new issue the last couple of days is that he is only feeding for an average of 10 mins (apart from first and last feeds of the day) when he used to feed for 30 mins.

I am worried because he's not putting the weight on and am obviously not sure if he's getting to the good milk (i am exclusively bfing him). He is, however, happy, smiley and settled between feeds and naps quite well during the day. We are getting plenty of wet nappies but he hasn't had a dirty one in 24 hours now.

He is clearly hungry at his first and last feeds of the day so I am wondering if he's just not hungry enough every 3 hours and maybe I should start stretching him a bit further.

What do you think?

I should also add that he is managing 1hr 15 activity times most of the time but sometimes can be happy to be awake for 1.5hrs to 1hr 45mins (rarely).

[*Liz*]

I've read a few of your posts on the CRC - so I am a little biased on what my answer is.

How many feeds is your LO having overnight ATM?

TBH I think this is poorly controlled reflux leading to reduced feeds and nothing to do with the routine.

When are you next due to see your doctor for a medication review?

[Lu Lu]

Hi again Liz!

He feeds twice in the night - around 12 and around 4.

We're due to see the doc on Tuesday and have a lot to discuss with her - need a longer appointment!

[*Liz*]

I would leave things as they are until that appointment really. Your routine is just perfect during the day, the A time and 3hrly EASY is the best thing for your LOs age (usually).

I really think this is a case of needing better medication to control the reflux.

My DS was similar - what I found happened next was I did extend the feeds (and actually went to demand feeding for a while as he was feeding for such a short time and fussing so much) and it made no difference really. He would tend to eat overnight and at the end of the day - but the day feeds were a total mess.

You could *try* demand feeding and see what your LO wants to naturally do (and find out if that is better than what you are trying to do). And if that is 4hrly feeds then fine  . But I would be cautious in view of the poor weight gain - and I think the symptoms of small feeds and bad nights needs consideration of reflux and a chat with your doctor before doing anything else.

I did BF at this age but I do feel a bit out of touch with that side of things ATM - so will ask one of my BFing pals to come and see what they think as well.

((hugs))

[Yazzie]

Hey there hun, @ around this age ds also started having short bf(s), as they grow older their sucking ability becomes stronger & so don't spend as much time @ the boob, also the 24hrs without a bowel movement was also common for us & got better when ds started solids. I remember that the baby not getting enough of the fatty milk, would result in green poop (maybe wrong), are you getting that?

Here are a few links that maybe helpful:
http://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=94121.0
http://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=65997.0
http://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=65904.0

HTH

[Lu Lu]

thanks Yazzie. We're not getting green poos so that's a good sign.

But have realised today he is having short feeds in the day but longer ones at night - I hope he's not making up for lost calories then!

[*Liz*]

But have realised today he is having short feeds in the day but longer ones at night - I hope he's not making up for lost calories then!

That can be an uncontrolled reflux thing as well - LOs find it easier to feed when they are relaxed and half asleep. And they aare making up lost calories - but out of necessity not out of silliness.

My DS did this - completely reverse cycled his feeds at one point.