Advice for feeding v. hungry but sleepy newborn

[missy1]

My son is 8 days old. He is a very hungry baby but he is taking an hour over his bottle (3-4oz) or else he falls asleep after an ounce. Our midwife suggested going up to size 2 teets (tommee tippee) which we did do a few days ago. It's helped a little but still having the same problem. Do you think he's too young for the free flow teets? I remember I used them for my daughter but I think she was older. Thanks for any advice, we are hardly getting anytime between feeds so I can't get anything done and also have a 2 year old to look after! X

 

[MindUtopia]

Is it possible you're just expecting him to eat more than he wants? 3-4 oz is actually quite a lot for such a small tummy. That's what my daughter was eating at about 12 weeks! I know just after birth, I was told to only give about 30-60 ml per feed (so that's 1-2 oz) unless she wanted more. Feeding little and often (every 1-3 hours) is usually the best way to go. If he's otherwise thriving and gaining weight, I'd just go by his feeding cues. If he's hungry, he'll wake up. Otherwise, I wouldn't try to get him to eat more than he wants. I also wouldn't try the larger size teats. Sometimes that can make the milk come out too fast for them and especially if he's very sleepy while feeding, he might be more likely to aspirate or choke on the milk. A truly hungry baby won't usually fall asleep while eating. The fact he's sleeping at the end of a feed is a good sign he's being satiated (assuming he's otherwise healthy and growing).

 

[HanaK]

My LO is 11 weeks and often only eats 4oz in one go!

 

[missy1]

I'm not giving him more than he wants. That's what he wants. The midwife knows how much he is on and says that every baby is different and this is ok. My daughter was different she only wanted 1-2oz at that age but this baby is wanting more. I know his feeding cues and he is settled otherwise. For example this morning he took 1 ounce then fell asleep for half an hour then woke up rooting and sucking his fingers and then he took another ounce then fell asleep then woke up 20 minutes later and took another ounce. So it's just sitting feeding all the time and he does need and want the 3-4 oz it just seems to be taking him a long time to drink it. The midwife told me he shouldn't be taking longer than half an hour over his feed. Again every baby is different and my baby was overdue too so please don't compare my baby's feeding needs to your baby. I know this because his feeding needs are completely different to my daughters

 

[Junemummy2]

No advice but just wanted to say to OP - My baby is 5 weeks old and has 4-5oz. She was big at birth (11.9!) but still you obviously know your baby and I guess just wanted to say some babies do take more than others earlier!! No advice but hope you find a solution!! I have a 3yr old too as i can imagine the constant feeding routine is driving you nuts! Its so hard as soon as you sort one hold out the other needs feeding/changing/playing with etc!

Good luck!!

 

[Nevaie]

I had this problem while breastfeeding and what helped me was to strip the baby down to a diaper, no blanket (to let her get a little chilly), turn the lights up nice and bright and to talk to her loudly while feeding. Pretty much to make her just uncomfortable enough that she doesn't drift off due to being all warm and snuggled in the perfect sleeping atmosphere. One of the doctors in the hospital recommended it and it got her to feed for a little longer before she'd fall asleep. I still have to use that tactic every now and then even now that she's mostly bottle fed. A couple times per feed (whether breast or bottle feeding), I also stop her, burp her, stand up and bounce her a little before letting her have the rest. It usually wakes her right back up if she's starting to fall asleep plus it helps quite a bit with her tummy. It's at least worth a try. Good luck

 

[missy1]

I had this problem while breastfeeding and what helped me was to strip the baby down to a diaper, no blanket (to let her get a little chilly), turn the lights up nice and bright and to talk to her loudly while feeding. Pretty much to make her just uncomfortable enough that she doesn't drift off due to being all warm and snuggled in the perfect sleeping atmosphere. One of the doctors in the hospital recommended it and it got her to feed for a little longer before she'd fall asleep. I still have to use that tactic every now and then even now that she's mostly bottle fed. A couple times per feed (whether breast or bottle feeding), I also stop her, burp her, stand up and bounce her a little before letting her have the rest. It usually wakes her right back up if she's starting to fall asleep plus it helps quite a bit with her tummy. It's at least worth a try. Good luck

Thanks. That's really great advice. He probably is too cosy and warm when we are feeding him and quite often we feed him in the dark at night. I'll maybe put on the bedside lamp now and take off his clothes,
thanks again

 

[HanaK]

^^Good advice!

I wonder if he's cluster feeding? My LO was breastfed at that age so I'm not sure how it works with bottles, or he could be comfort sucking? Or maybe you just have a very hungry but lazy baby!

I had a similar problem with my LO when I switched him to formula at 8 weeks (and still do occasionally) - he'd only eat enough to take the edge off his hunger, fall asleep and then wake ten mins later hungry again. It did get better with time but was very frustrating!

 

[Nessicle]

I'd say they take what they need when they need it if he falls asleep he's obviously full and content and will wake when he's hungry again, (sometimes in 1 hour others in 3 hours). I've always fed on demand exactly how you do if breastfeeding so they take just what they want x

 

[sbl]

Hi!
I had a sleepy baby too!! Midwives told me to strip her off & hold her away from your body so she doesnt get too comfy.

 

[Nessicle]

I tried changing my little ones nappy in between but he just threw up everywhere when laid down ha

 

[missy1]

I tried changing my little ones nappy in between but he just threw up everywhere when laid down ha

Haha. We do that too but he just screams - then falls back asleep!

 

[Nessicle]

Aye little monkeys gorgeous but little oddities newborns

 

[missy1]

Aye little monkeys gorgeous but little oddities newborns

Yes they certainly are lol! Keeps you on your toes ;-)

 

[Rachel_C]

That sounds like pretty normal newborn behaviour to me. When he's having one ounce, sleeping for half an hour, taking another ounce, sleeping 20 mins, having another ounce then sleeping again, I wouldn't class that as taking a 3oz feed (not sure if that's what you meant though), I'd say that's three 1oz feeds. When he's having 3oz over an hour without sleeping, I'd think it was really the same thing - he is probably taking it so slowly to space it out to the same effect as doing 1oz followed by a short sleep. Newborns do often want feeding small amounts really often. It's a pain to do it but it's really best just to go with it if you can possibly do so, because his tummy is probably only big enough for an ounce or two at a time. That 20 min sleep after an ounce (or taking it really slowly) allows his body to process the milk and then he'll wake for more. If you get him to take 3oz at once and then sleep for longer, it may be more than his tummy can actually cope with. In a week or two you'll probably find he will take more at once/quicker and then sleep a bit longer, you just have to find a way to get through it for now

If you're finding it difficult to look after your older LO at the same time as endless feeding, can you put together some little activities you can do together while feeding your youngest? Some sticker books maybe, some jigsaws, some pictures cut from magazines and a glue stick?

 

[missy1]

That sounds like pretty normal newborn behaviour to me. When he's having one ounce, sleeping for half an hour, taking another ounce, sleeping 20 mins, having another ounce then sleeping again, I wouldn't class that as taking a 3oz feed (not sure if that's what you meant though), I'd say that's three 1oz feeds. When he's having 3oz over an hour without sleeping, I'd think it was really the same thing - he is probably taking it so slowly to space it out to the same effect as doing 1oz followed by a short sleep. Newborns do often want feeding small amounts really often. It's a pain to do it but it's really best just to go with it if you can possibly do so, because his tummy is probably only big enough for an ounce or two at a time. That 20 min sleep after an ounce (or taking it really slowly) allows his body to process the milk and then he'll wake for more. If you get him to take 3oz at once and then sleep for longer, it may be more than his tummy can actually cope with. In a week or two you'll probably find he will take more at once/quicker and then sleep a bit longer, you just have to find a way to get through it for now

If you're finding it difficult to look after your older LO at the same time as endless feeding, can you put together some little activities you can do together while feeding your youngest? Some sticker books maybe, some jigsaws, some pictures cut from magazines and a glue stick?

Yes thanks, she is a good little toddler, we are very lucky and she has been helping me a lot and loves fetching nappies, cotton wool etc, I think it makes her feel important lol. We have also had a lot of visitors with kids so she has had someone to play with nearly everyday this week.
You are right that it just gets easier in a while and you have to get through this bit. It's not been too bad really, he is a good baby and I'm just enjoying him so much

 

[fairygirl]

We have just tried Nuk teats with my DD after I was upset that the TT teats would have my son over suck and give him tummy ache. Well they have been a complete fail, taking 45mins to take 40ml and she has been just playing with the teat and falling asleep and then being unsettled and needing to suck to get back to sleep. I have found less clothes help but I have switched back and I'm now trying the TT vari-flow. I tried them with DS but they were too fast for him as he had already developed his ridiculously hard suck. First feed went well and 60ml drained and she was satisfied. MW assures me she can't over eat, I was worried the fast flow would make her sick but we will see how next feed goes.

Edit- wouldn't take next feed despite being hungry. Currently drinking from Nuk but with teat upside down. Oh what to do?

 

[missy1]

We have just tried Nuk teats with my DD after I was upset that the TT teats would have my son over suck and give him tummy ache. Well they have been a complete fail, taking 45mins to take 40ml and she has been just playing with the teat and falling asleep and then being unsettled and needing to suck to get back to sleep. I have found less clothes help but I have switched back and I'm now trying the TT vari-flow. I tried them with DS but they were too fast for him as he had already developed his ridiculously hard suck. First feed went well and 60ml drained and she was satisfied. MW assures me she can't over eat, I was worried the fast flow would make her sick but we will see how next feed goes.

Edit- wouldn't take next feed despite being hungry. Currently drinking from Nuk but with teat upside down. Oh what to do?

It's all a bit of a mystery isn't it? I feel for you. We used the vari flow teats with my daughter too but she was quite a few months older than my son. It's all trial and error. Good luck I hope she takes her next feed. My hungry sleepy boy has just been crying loudly and trying to latch on to anything and everything so I gave him his bottle, he managed 1oz and has fallen fast asleep again. Think I'm going to go top and tail him to wake him up to see if he wants the rest lol x

 

[fairygirl]

Well she has been taking more bit being sick so I guess she needs it slower but it's horrible when you check and see she has done nothing at all. Going on a bottle hunt today, think I have decided on the Avent Natural

 

[fairygirl]

Well we are pleased with the Avent Natural, you can actually hear her gulp! After the first ounce or so she does start playing with the teat though! So far no excess wind, sick or fussiness. The other great thing is the pack we got was 1/3 off!