Help with feeding my babies please

DD is eating 5 oz and can go between 4 - 5 hours each feeding.

DS is only eating 2 oz (sometimes we can get him to take 3) and he eats every 2-3 hours.

We wanted to keep them on the same feeding schedule -- to make our lives easier, but when DS eats more, he winds up spitting it up and he usually refuses to take more than 2-3 oz each feeding.

Do you think we should try to "postpone' a feeding so that he will be hungrier at the next feeding? Is this cruel? I feel so bad doing that, but I feel like I am constantly feeding the two of them...every time I turn around...one of them needs a bottle.

I just read a post where a 2 month old was eating 6-8 oz...am I not feeding my babies enough???

Message edited 12/4/2006 8:43:33 PM.

Re: Help with feeding my babies please

I think that your two are the perfect example that every baby is different.

I think they might be a little young to try to skip feedings or overfeed. Just go with the flow and eventually they might fall into the same schedule as the feedings increase. Good Luck.

Re: Help with feeding my babies please

Jiavana is 3 1/2 mths and eats 4 oz most of the time per feeding every 3 hrs or so. Sometimes she eats an extra 2 oz but that is not on a regular basis.

Re: Help with feeding my babies please

Unfortunately, at this stage, it's basically all about eating and sleeping for them. Ava just recently began to be able to go 4 hours in between feedings. I can't imagine how overwhelming it must be with two babies, because I felt like I was constantly feeding her, as well before the last month or so. All I can tell you is that eventually it will even out.
You might want to look into the Podee. I mean, I would still sit with DS and DD and watch them eat with it, but at least it might give you a free hand. Also, if you have a bouncy seat, try feeding them in there, so that your arms can get a break. I used to feel guilty at first doing that, but after a while, I just wanted a break from holding her so much. Hang in there!

Message edited 12/4/2006 9:27:01 PM.

Re: Help with feeding my babies please

I tried the trick of postponing a feeding to try to lengthen the time between them and to make DD take more. It only worked for that one feeding and then she went back to how she wanted to eat. I agree, that it sounds like a perfect example of how every baby is different. It must be really difficult for you, but it should get more regular in another month or two.

ETA: If I remember correctly, when Marron was the same age as your babies, she was eating 4oz every 4 hours.

Message edited 12/4/2006 10:50:40 PM.

Re: Help with feeding my babies please

Don't worry when you hear that other babies their age are eating more. Our pediatrician said the most important thing is that they're gaining weight. As long as they're gaining, it's fine. Kaylee is 9 weeks and usually has 4 oz per feeding. I tried giving her more to increase the amount of time between feedings and she wouldn't have it.

Re: Help with feeding my babies please

My mom said they used to give water (boiled, then cooled to room temp) in between feedings, maybe that will help.

Hope you get them on the same schedule ASAP!!!

Re: Help with feeding my babies please

unfortunately you really can't impose a schedule on them, they eat and sleep when they need to. I think you're probably better off not fighting it and maybe you're better off that they don't want to eat at the same time b/c how would you do that on your own anyway? As long as their both thriving, don't worry. I think it's great that they are already showing you that they are their own individuals and not clones of each other.