why does ds cry during the last feed of the day?

[frankiesmom]

Hi my lo is bf and is being treated for reflux. He is bf every 4 hours except in the evening when I feed him after his catnap (usually about 2.5 hours after last feed) and then I try to top him off 1.5 to 2 hours later before bed.  He consistently is on and off the breast, crying and arching his back.  I thought maybe it was his reflux, but he doesn't do it at any other feed anymore.  I thought maybe my supply was low at that time, but he does the same thing if I try to feed him with a bottle.  I thought maybe he was overtired, but he is taking two 1.5 to 2 hour naps and a catnap and A time is 2 hours (appropriate for his age).  The problem is that he is waking up 2 or so hours after he goes to bed and is hungry, therefore he never makes it to his df.  Then he is up 2 more times but I think it is due to habit since it is always the same time and he really only pacifies and goes back to sleep, whereas the feeding right after bed, he does eat. 
Any ideas as to why he is doing this?  I have tried not to feed him after  his catnap, thinking that maybe he is not hungry enough for that last feed, but he is really cranky until I feed him.
FYI, he also gets one solid meal per day before his second nap b/c of his reflux.

Thanks, Kim

[jenalix]

I'm sorry that I can't give you an answer to this, but perhaps it will make you feel better to know that my son (almost 3 months old now) often does this too!  I was thinking that it was because I was feeding him on his "less preferred" side, but tonight my husband gave him a bottle of pumped milk and he did the same thing.  I'll be interested to see if anyone knows why this might happen. 

[samsam]

this happens to me too - only at the last feed - lots of crying and resisiting latching on, then crying intermittently. Lots of back arching - i am beginning to think DD is just tired. She catnaps between about 5.30 and 6 every day but is desperate to go back to sleep by 6.45 (and I am trying to feed her at 6.30...)! She is 5 and a half months old.

[frankiesmom]

That is what I figured too, but it is so frustrating b/c then he is up hungry before his df which is messing everything up.  I wish it would soothe him, but it just seems to agitate him more then anything.

[samsam]

frankies mom - one thing i have tried which has worked a bit (unbelievably!) is when DD is fussing and not wanting to feed on that last feed, i have started singing her the song i used to sing her all the time when she was a tiny baby. It seems to work quite well at calming her and getting her to latch on - i can't tell you why - i originally stopped singing it over 3 months ago! Maybe it is a security/comfort association? JUst thought i would share this in case an old 'comfort cue' might work with your DS. worth a try! good luck. 

[Sharon P]

Hi,

My DS is 3 months, has reflux and also does exactly the same thing. I would also love to hear from anyone who has a successful solution to this problem. I have been toying with whether or not it is better if I haven't put him down for a cat nap, as sometimes he gets a bit grumpy after 30mins or so of 'A' time when he has only slept one sleep cycle. The other thing I have thought is to feed him at 6pm, rather than 6.30 and then bath and bed. HAs anyone tried this with any success?
The only thing I have found to be helpful is to try to get him going on his preferred side and then switch him to the less preferred side, if that is the side I am wanting him to feed prodominantly from. HTH.

Sharon.