4MO not feeding - HELP

[Grufter]

Good Morning,
My third baby has decided not to eat properly anymore. She was sleeping through from 9 weeks and then recently (about the last 4/5 weeks) is just not having proper feeds. She was 4 months on Sunday.
She typically feeds well first thing, at 11 isn't interested at all and at 3. (she is now on a 4 hour EASY). She will feed for 3 mins, fill her nappy and then faff and won't feed. She can quite happily go from 11 until 3 until her next feed. I have tried tanking her up early eve. She will also feed really well at 7 and at the DF when she is sleepy and is up twice/three times in the night and always feds well then. She theres defo a link with being awake and feeding. (I understand they can regress at this stage and they are ore aware of whats going on) HV suggested feeding n a quiet room - not that easy when I have 3 children in 5 years  I worry that she has mixed up night and day and I don't know what to do. She is also teething - that may be an issue. Another factor is that she cat naps. I have tried everything and it is so hard when she is always on the go on school runs in her car seat. there is no manual for three children! My first son was so much better when he was being weaned. Do I need to ride it out or does anybody have any helpful tips please as I am losing the will to live.

Thanks in advance, Vicky  xxx

[Grufter]

I forgot to add, LO is on the 91st % and is a big girl. she used to neck the boob very quickly before this all started x

[*Ali*]

Yes it does sound like she is just more distracted and aware coupled with the teething. If you can feed immediately upon wake up from her nap in the still dark nursery that can help. How old are your other kids?

Are you giving anything for the teething?


Plus don't forget she will be more efficient now and can probably get a decent amount in 3 minutes. Have you considered adding in another feed somewhere?

[Grufter]

It is strange though as its almost like she is in discomfort, fills her nappy and then isn't interested. She often doesn't nap long enough to get back to the E. I do try and feed her in a quiet room, sometimes its a success but others she will bob on and off.

My boys are 5 and 3. So I have my middle boy at home with me 2.5 days in the week when he isn't at p-school.

She is having nelsons powder for teething and it has helped slightly.

Interestingly, last night she went from DF at 10 - 3am. I fed her only for 3 mins and she cried so I gave her 3 mins more and she then slept until 6.30. I am hoping that giving her less in the night will make her hungrier in the day which today it has worked. Fingers crossed for tonight.

I have tried cluster feeding and adding other feeds but she just isn't interested.

Thanks so much for your help. I appreciate it x

[*Ali*]

Maybe post her routine and see if that needs tweaking. If she isn't sleeping until the next feed perhaps she needs more (or less) A times before her naps.

Is she still filling her nappy at every feed? Could it be digestive issue or intolerance disturbing her feeds maybe?

[zissi]

Im no expert but I read Dr. Jack Newman's book on BF and what you describes sounds like late onset of decreased milk supply, which can happen quite a lot when babies feeds are being stretched out, maybe have a read here and you could try maybe to throw in more feeds to ensure she continues to get enough.
https://www.facebook.com/DrJackNewman/posts/264063463744707

[Grufter]

Sorry for late reply. I have been seeing how her routine has been this week.

Typically this is her routine (or has been this week)
E 7.00 (usually feeds quite well)
S 9.00ish (for 30 mins at most)
S 10.30 another cat nap of 30 mins
E 11.00 (3 min feed) - really struggle to get her to feed properly here.
S 12.30 45 mins
E 2.20 (again not for very long) - I have to feed her at this time due to the school run.
S 2.45 - 45 mins
E try to get a cluster feed in but she again doesn't seem too bothered (5 mins)
S 5.00 - 40 mins cat nap
E 6.30/6.45 - for an hour - this is always a big feed
S 7.30
E 10.30/11 - good feed

Then she has been waking this week at 1,3,5!!! She seems hungry too. I have been trying to feed her for 2 mins and reduce the night feeds but she cries for more. She really doesn't get enough in the day and when i try and cluster feed her more she isn't bothered. She is constantly looking around her and faffs a lot. She has cut her bottom two teeth, or they are poking through and one of her top ones is coming through too so know this may be a contributing factor. she always feeds better when she is sleepy and i fear she has mixed night for day.

i don't think she tolerance issues. My middle child has extreme allergies, so know a lot about it and she is nothing like him.

I am having to pump sometimes as i am getting engorged as there is so much milk so I don't think its decreased milk supply.

The main issue is she is fine feeding away at night but I am really struggling to get her to feed in the day. thanks so much for your help xxx

[*Ali*]

Do you think you have over supply or overactive letdown? Oversupply and Overactive (Forceful) Let-Down

30 minute naps can be OT or it could be a transition problem. Have you tried to resettle at that point? YOU could try wake to sleep at 20 mins or so.

[malibu_nikkus]

Has she had any problems with reflux in the past? Pulling on and off is a sign of this.  I'm having the exact same problem with my 4mth old. I was wondering if reflux was causing him pain which gets worse if I eat foods he is intolerant to.  Is it possible that your baby has food intolerances, not allergies? However, if the night waking was caused by allergies, baby wouldn't feed so much.  I wonder if this is part of the 4mth regression....a major growth spurt perhaps, although you'd expect they would eat lots at daytime too if growth spurt and mine STRUGGLES to eat during the day too. Hope someone can help us on here.