how can I get my 5mo to take more at each feed?

[melmcc]

I'm attemping to do the 4hr easy with my 5mo, but I can't get her to take more than 3-4oz per feed. It doesn't seem to make a difference if it's been 2 hours or 5 since her last feed, she simply isn't interested in eating anymore.  They only time she will actually empty a breast is if she is dreamfeeding or half asleep/dozing after a nap. Any suggestions? She wakes up every two hours all night long, but she only gets bf at 4am.

[shelliz]

Are you pumping? I ask b/c you say she is only getting 3-4 oz per feed. How are you sure of that?  I know my daughter at 5 months could eat for 5 minutes and get ALOT of milk.  Also at 5 months my dd became very disinterested in BF during the day. They have so much to look at and "do" that they don't want to sit still for a feed.  I would take her to where I feed her at night, dim the lights and feed her. She would eat alot more there than if I was around my DH or in front of the television.  Distractions certainly cut down on the eating!! I would certainly stick to feeding her every 4 hrs during the day.  If you feed her any more often then that will reinforce "snacking"  She will adapt to the 4 hr EASY soon! My dd STILL doesn't take near as much breast milk in at the 11 and 3:00 feedings, but I keep her on that schedule.

Have you ever tried Wake to Sleep during the night? I have recently had great success with that! She was waking at 1:00 a.m. and not needing to eat. So...I would go in at 12:00 am and tug on her blanket to get her to stir a bit. Guess what? She stopped waking at 1:00 and slept all the way through till 3:30 a.m when I will give her a feed. If your dd is waking up at the same hours every night, you may consider doing the wake to sleep. I would choose one waking (ex: 12:00 a.m.) and attempt to phase that one out. Do one waking at a time.

Good luck and let me know how it goes. Come back w/ any more questions. There is alot of fab advice here! I learn more every day! 

[RachelC]

Welcome to the BW site 
Have you started solids?  How long have you been doing EASY?  Have you beed consistant with the 4 hours between feeds?  Are you expressing?  If not, how do you know how much she is taking per feed?

[melmcc]

I have been expressing and when I empty one breast I get about 5oz of milk. My lo does not empty a breast during her daytime feeds, so I figure she's getting somewhere between 3-4oz. I feed her in her room after her naps and keep the room as quiet and dim as possible, but she is still not interested in eating all that much.

Her night waking is approx every two hours, but sometimes it's every hour and sometimes she'll sleep for three hours straight. So unfortunately there's no predicting when she'll awake. After I've going in and put her back to sleep 3 or 4 times I give up and bring her to bed with me.  She still wakes up, but at least I get a bit more rest. She's usually awake at 6:00 (regardless of her bed time), so by 4am I need some rest.

Thanks for the responses.

[daisymelan]

What you can pump does not equal what your lo receives.  Babies are much more efficient than pumps and will therefore get more than a pump, so be rest assured she's getting more than 3-4oz.

Also, is it possible that your partner can go in and comfort her a night.  She knows she can get milk from you so she would be more likely to settle for someone else. How often do you feed at night?  Maybe she has her days and nights confused in the way of feeds.

And yes, babies are at a distracted phase around that age and it is tough to get a full feed into them during the day.  You may wish to go to a 3 or 3.5 hour EASY and try to get her to nurse to make sure she's getting her cals during the day rather than at night.

[MPalmer]

Great advice Daisymelan!!!!

I too think your baby is probably getting more than you think when she nurses.  I had a HARD time accepting that because they do take FOREVER to eat in the beginning, but at 5 months, she probably wants to get in and get out to go see the world!!!  I too had to start nursing in a quite environment around that age, no talking, music, tv etc...too distracting for him. 

Also, if you know you're increasing the calories she gets in the day from what she wants at night, then you know she's waking at night from a sleep issue.  And yes...send your partner in at night.  That worked great for us!!!!!