Biting & Not Eating During the Day @ 5 months

[loulou5402]

I put my LO on the 4/4 EASY plan over a week ago. He's responded very well to it and you can almost set a watch to his naptimes now. However, the E in EASY has been challenging and seems to be getting more so. At first, I was able to feed him as recommended. Now, he seems to be refusing the feedings and wanting to eat before naps and bedtime.

For the past 2 days, he's been biting down on my nipple when I try to feed him (thankfully there are no teeth, yet... but, it still hurts!) His last full feed was at 6:30AM and it is now 7:30PM. He has had maybe 6oz of formula and 2 oz of barley cereal mixed with formula. I've been expressing all day while my nipples recover.

He will "tank up" all night long. That's what he's been doing the last several nights.

Our schedule:
E   8:00AM   Feed (tried nursing but he bit down)
A   8:30AM   Activity (~ 1.5 hours)
S   10:00AM   Naptime
E   12:00PM   Feed 4 oz
A   12:30PM   Activity (~1.5 hours)
S   2:00PM   Naptime (1.5 to 2 hours)
E   4:00PM   Feed 2oz
A   4:30PM   Activity
S   6:00PM   Catnap (30 to 45 minutes)
E   8:00PM   Feed (refused last night.. we'll see tonight)
S   8:30PM   Sleep for night
E   11:00PM   Dream Feed 6 to 8 oz

Night feedings
Last night he refused his 8PM feeding. I ended up feeding him at 9:30pm (1 hour after he was already to bed). He then fed every 2 to 3 hours after that until 6:30AM. He sleeps during and between feeds.

How do I get him eating during the day and sleeping through the night? If I don't get this turned around soon, I'm going to half to throw in the towel on breastfeeding. I can barely get through work during the day I'm just so tired.

[seniuk2001]

Hi there!  If this behavior just started the feeding at night could be a growth spurt of sorts.  It sounds like he may be snacking during the day and therefore isn't full at night.  If it continues past 2 or 3 days then we can help rework your feeding plan...just wait and see if it goes away on it's own in case it's a growth spurt.  If he's eating quite a bit when he feeds at night then try to get more in him during the day however you can right now.

It's possible that he's frustrated with the breast because he's learning that it's much easier to eat from the nipple, so that could be why he's biting.  We had this problem earlier than 5 months when we were supplementing.  So you may want to hold off on the bottle to encourage him to work at the breast if that's what you really want to continue with breastfeeding.

Good luck!  You're doing great!
Leanne

[Erin (redstarfalling)]

OUCH!  Your poor nipples!

A lot of babies go through nursing strikes during this age, particularly when teething.  Sounds like his teeth might be part of the problem - have you tried some Tylenol about 30-40 min before feeds?

Since he likes to eat when he's sleepy, you might try rushing in when he's just waking from a nap and getting him then. How's your supply when you pump?  Some women notice a drop in supply when they get their period...  I agree that it might be a growth spurt too and he's biting from frustration or boredom when the flow slows down. Watch him closely when he nurses, and if you see him stop eating and just nibble, break the latch so he doesn't have a chance to bite.  If he does clamp down, pull him towards you body quickly - it should make him open his mouth.

How long ago did you start solids and when do you give them?  You want to make sure he's not filling up on the cereal instead of milk.

This is pretty common for babies -you're not alone!    It's likely a stage - just a really irritating one!  If it's a growth spurt, things should settle down within a week.  Keep me posted on how you're doing! HUGS!

[daisymelan]

Hugs to you.  Something occured to me.  Did your lo just start waking at night when you made the transition to the 4 hour EASY?  If so, what was he on before?  He may not be ready for the shift. 

[loulou5402]

He wasn't on any EASY routine before. I started the 4 hour EASY out of desperation because I haven't slept in months. We've been doing it for 9 days now. The nights are improving slowly. He fed at 6am instead of 4am last night. He still woke at 4am. I was able to give him a pacifier and he drifted back off to sleep rather quickly.

As for solids... it's really hit or miss. There were several days where he didn't want much to do with them and I didn't force the issue. The last 3 days, he's been taking 2 oz twice per day (offered at 9:30am and 1:30pm). I'm a little concerned that his lack of interest in breastmilk is going to start to affect my supply (which hasn't been a problem to date). I've been pumping at the "scheduled" feed times to try and make up for him not eating.

I spoke to my LC today and she told me how to deal with the biting. But, I'm still concerned about him not eating during the day. It's a trend that has been building since I started the EASY plan. I keep offering both breast and bottle. He's always gotten a both since the very beginning and it hasn't been an issue.

[daisymelan]

I'm happy to see you are having some improvement.     That's encouraging.  Hopefully he will fade out that wake up time completely.  Is he latching on at all during the day?  If he's waking less at night now, I would assume he's getting more during the day.

How often would your son feed before you started EASY? 

[loulou5402]

Before EASY he was eating every 2 to 3 hours. I was basically demand feeding. I was encourage to do that by my LC because of the reflux and I have a fast letdown. Now that the reflux is under control, I'm confident that he can handle the larger feedings as long as I'm gradual in my approach. I still cluster feed leading up to bedtime.

Today, he wasn't interested in nursing until 5pm this evening. I tried first thing in the morning when he woke, but he wasn't interested. I pumped and bottle fed him during the day.

[daisymelan]

Aw.... {{hugs}}

Have you tried nursing in a dim room with no distractions?  Los tend to prefer bottles at the distracted stage because they can look around, which they can't do when nursing.  Perhaps using a nursing necklace may help?