Help bad feeding causing bad sleeping?!?

[Millyandben]

Hi,
I'm in desperate need of help. My 8 week old ds is a terrible feeder and will only take small feeds at a time. I believe this is resulting in bad sleeping,particularly naps and over tiredness. I have been noting his days down but there is no consistency. Here is an example:

7.00 wake
E-7.00 70ml
A
S- 8.15
E-9.15 60ml
A
E-10.15 70ml above two separate feeds resulted in good next sleep
S-10.45
E - 13.15 80ml
A
S-14.14
E-15.00 40ml
A
S-went pear shaped by now, yawning 16.00, cried on and off til 5pm, but no real sleep
E-50ml
S-17.25
E-18.00 120ml
S-19.10
Dream feed 10.00 60ml
E-2.30 80ml
E-4.00 40ml

I'm finding his routine exhausting as I feel I am focusing all my time trying to get him to take decent feeds and my toddler is getting very frustrated that I'm not spending much time with her

Am I doing something wrong?

[*Kara*]

What level teats are you using?  Could be time to increase a level...

[Millyandben]

Thanks for your quick response, We are using dr browns bottles and level 2 teats which are for 3-6 months, so already above his age

[*Kara*]

Hmm... any signs of reflux?

Reflux 101 - General reflux information

[Millyandben]

No I don't think so, he sometimes arches back whilst eating but only really when I am trying to get him to eat more

[*Kara*]

but only really when I am trying to get him to eat more

This could be part of the issue... don't force him or anything like that... he will form a negative association fairly quickly.

No excessive hiccups/swallowing sounds?

We are using dr browns bottles and level 2 teats which are for 3-6 months, so already above his age

Do you have the slower flow available still?  Might be worth a try to go back to them... could be too fast for him and making him tired trying to control the flow.

[Millyandben]

Thanks kara will try re the teats, have his 8 week gp appointment on wed, so will mention there too

[*Kara*]

Let me know if the slower flow helps hun...