Re: I just want to cry...I don't know what to do anymore

my pedi told me that arching of the back is the # 1 symptoms in AR

Re: I just want to cry...I don't know what to do anymore

what does gripe water do?

Re: I just want to cry...I don't know what to do anymore

gripe water acts just like Tums would....helps with gas, and reflux...its all natural and very safe for babies.

Re: I just want to cry...I don't know what to do anymore

Also don't assume that because he is puching the bottle away that he is not interested in feeding. Sometimes it is just that their motor skills are not developed and they are flailing around. I would ask your Dr about AR and look into changing his formula. Also ask about adding rice to the formula to thicken it.

Re: I just want to cry...I don't know what to do anymore

I will speak to him on Monday.

Re: I just want to cry...I don't know what to do anymore

If it takes him an hour to finish a bottle, let's say from 7am-8 do you still feed again three hours later at 10 or at 11 from the time he ended. If it takes them an hour to finish a bottle how hungry will they be at the next feeding?

Re: I just want to cry...I don't know what to do anymore

He still is sucking slowly after the first burp. It's like he looses interest in sucking. The slower he ***** the longer it takes to burp him and for him to finish the meal. I try not to stop after ever couple of ounces but sometimes I have to cuz he will act fidgety as if he wants to be burped.

Re: I just want to cry...I don't know what to do anymore

Why don't you just feed him when he is hungry instead of trying to maintain a schedule?

Re: I just want to cry...I don't know what to do anymore

Re: I just want to cry...I don't know what to do anymore

Re: I just want to cry...I don't know what to do anymore

Posted by Marcie

Posted by bedda26

Posted by Moehick

Why don't you just feed him when he is hungry instead of trying to maintain a schedule?

Because then I won't know if he is getting enough ounces in for the day.

Now he's been up alot since yesterday. Is that normal too?

I think going by what the doctor is saying is driving you crazy (no offense), when your baby is hungry they will let you know. He will not starve. I had a little bit of a problem with feeding Alison and after I let her have whatever schedule she wanted, she straighted herself out after 3 or 4 days.

Alison also has days that she sleeps more than others. It is not textbook, you have to see what works for your baby

Re: I just want to cry...I don't know what to do anymore

Re: I just want to cry...I don't know what to do anymore

Did you try putting your finger on his cheek and holding it in so he gets better suction?

Re: I just want to cry...I don't know what to do anymore

Babies got through growth spurts

There were weeks where Ryan would sleep all day (eating a little less)

and

Weeks where he would cluster feed ALL day long!!!


I dont necessarily agree with "a baby wont starve" when they are that little- they will not necessarily "let you know" esp. if they are becoming dehydrated!!!

My Dr.s rule of thumb was (never let DS go past 3 hrs w/o eating if BF or 4/5hrs if FF- (at night however was a whole different story)

Feed when he's hungry BUT dont let him go past 3/4 hrs- wake him to eat if you have too. (during the day) do whatever you can to wake him up- undress him, change his diaper... etc....

Arching his back is def. a sign of AR- does he spit up at all?? DId you try different bottles??? Different size nipples..???


I posted this before- but after I stopped BFing- and we found the right formula for Ryan- he wasnt eating very much and sleeping ALOT- he wasnt losing weight- but not gaining all that much- My Dr wasnt really concerned (because he was in fact gaining) but I just felt like he needed more (he always fell asleep while eating- and I almost ALWAYS had to wake him to eat-

One day a friend of mine came over and fed him- she noticed the same things I was feeling and suggested going up a nipple size- after 2 days he was eating about 2oz more/feeding- and was awake more often- He wasnt starving and gaining.. but just like I suspected - he needed/ wanted more!

Re: I just want to cry...I don't know what to do anymore

I'm already using size 2 nipple size of the Avent bottles. Won't a bigger size be too much for him?

He does not spit up or vomit.

Re: I just want to cry...I don't know what to do anymore

I don't keep DS on a schedule but he is usually hunger every 2-3 hours so I write down the time he ate and how much he ate that way I know how ate for the day and how much I can give him if I ever reach the 32 oz mark which I have only twice in 12 weeks. It really helps me because I waste at least 2 oz of formula day. You might want to start doing that I also read on babycenter.com that multiply the babies weight by 2.5 and that is how much he should eat in a 24 hour period. Maybe try another formula or a different bottle. I am not sure where you live but I have so many playtex nurser bottles if you want a few I can give them to you for you try out.

Re: I just want to cry...I don't know what to do anymore

Re: I just want to cry...I don't know what to do anymore

Re: I just want to cry...I don't know what to do anymore

Try to let him sleep on you for a 10-15 minutes then put him down. DS was the same way and I use to feel bad because he wouldnt nap so almost everyday I would let him nap on me for as long as he wanted and he would sleep 2-3 hours. If he slept for 2 hours I would put him down in his crib and then he would sleep for another 45 minutes to an hour. Now I dont do that I just put him down some time he sleeps sometimes he doesnt. I am also tring to transition him into his crib now so I put in their for naps but it doest always work so I will lay down with him in my bed and when he falls asleep I leave him their and I can get some stuff. Around 7 weeks I bought the book Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child and I try to do some of things that the book says but it is hard I recommend getting it from the library or purchasing it.

Re: I just want to cry...I don't know what to do anymore

Do you think he is having gas pains???

Did you consider switching to a different type of bottle...

Dr. Browns are amazing!

Re: I just want to cry...I don't know what to do anymore

He went to the doctor's yesterday and weighs 8lbs 3 oz so at least he gained more and the doctor was pleased at the gain. It's not AR cuz he is not in any kind of pain. He's just a fussy eater and unfortunately that's what have to deal with. The doctor thinks a feeding should take 20 minutes...On what planet??? If it takes us an hour to feed him then so be it whatever, as he gets those 24 ounces in. We'll take anything between 20-24 at this point.

He actually had two 5 ouncers yesterday but with bigger gaps in the hours that we fed him. It took an hour but hey at least he got it in and last night at 2:30 am we fed him and he had another 5 ounces in 35 mins. we could not believe it.

We also switched the nipple size from 2 to 3, hey we're desperate. So far he seems fine with it. (he's 5 weeks today by the way) It was a little messy at first but now it's a little better I guess he has to get used to it.

Re: I just want to cry...I don't know what to do anymore

It's good to hear that he is doing better. DS was also a slow eater and still is, sometimes taking him 35 minutes to eat a bottle and he is 3 months.

Re: I just want to cry...I don't know what to do anymore

My neice did this too. My SIL took her to the doctor and it turned out she had thrush since my SIL never cleaned the build up on her tongue from her formula and sucking the nipple bothered her. Check to make sure theres no build up on the back of his tongue that could be interfering with sucking.

Re: I just want to cry...I don't know what to do anymore

I just wanted to add that my boy is a snacker, he might have an oz at a time, it can take him like 2 hours to have a whole six oz bottle. I feed him on demand because I know he will not complete a whole bottle at one sitting

Re: I just want to cry...I don't know what to do anymore

Glad to hear that he's gained weight. It used to take an hour to feed Joseph too. He used to spit up a lot. Then I read a book on feedings -I was misreading his crying for signs of hunger. Sometimes he was tired or overstimulated. It never occured to me since my MIL & mother made me completely paranoid with "He looks like he lost weight." comments. Eventually I told them to keep their comments to themselves.

I was paranoid for a long time about Joseph losing weight since he was a preemie & coudln't maintain his weight & temperature in the hospital. Instead of counting how many ounces he takes and driving yourself mad, I would consider counting wet diapers. It's easier. That is the only thing you need to be worrying about. If they're getting enough food, he'll have enough wet diapers.