Two Questions

jennajoybeck

First, my DD is nearly impossible to burp in the middle of the night. I literally try for 30 minutes at a time and sometimes STILL don't get one. I try patting her back while she sits on my knee as well as over my shoulder. I try rubbing circles on her back. I try patting her back starting very low and working my way up. She's so stubborn! Tips? Second, she GRAZES!!! She eats an ounce or so, falls asleep (until you lay her down), wakes up, eats....repeat allll day. She eats alllll day. Nothing makes her happy. I check her diaper, change her, walk around with her...she's only happy with a bottle in her mouth...and then when she falls asleep in my arms while eating said bottle. Help!! (She then will sleep a 6 hour stretch at the beginning of the night, then 3 hour stretches. So I know she can do it!) The dr asked how much she eats at a sitting. I can't even answer that since the only time she sits and (nearly) finishes a bottle all at once is in the wee hours of the night/morning! I hoped she would grow out of it, but no luck yet. I don't want this to become a bad habit. Oh, btw, she's 7 weeks. So I know she's still tiny...but I thought it'd improve a LITTLE by now! TIA!

CaliforniaDream87

What exactly are you wanting to "improve"? Sleeping? If that's the case you ride it out. Some babies sleep well and some don't. I sympathize as my LO has never been a great sleeper. I'm just roughing it out. In regards to burping, I wouldn't say she is "stubborn". Most of the time the burps are stuck and you just have to keep trying. Sometimes I do bicycle legs, turn LO on his stomach and rub his back for a bit. In the beginning we had some problems with bottles so we switched to Dr. brown and LO doesn't have any gassy issues anymore.

As far as grazing goes I think that's normal. Around the 2 month mark I remember my LO was doing the same thing. He was gaining weight regularly so my pedi wasn't too concerned. Honestly, I would say this will continue. Some nights he will drink a full bottle. Other nights he grazes. It all depends.

GL!

jennajoybeck

The nighttime sleep isn't horrible...she's actually better at night than all day. Ha I really want the grazing to get under control. Along the same lines, she needs to be held all the time. She's just never content. Never HAPPY. I guess I was a little spoiled with my DS. He was in the NICU for 4 weeks ... so he was always on a strict 3 hour feeding schedule. That continued easily at home. DD, on the other hand, couldn't be more opposite. It's even more frustrating and difficult because DS just turned one. So I have a 12 month old and 7 week old both screaming for attention. Thanks for your input...and just for listening!

LittleNugget93

My daughter is the exact same way. I haven't really done anything about the grazing because she does sleep so well at night. I kind of just tough it out. If I really need to get things done, I will try to nurse her for 10 minutes or so so that she can sleep on her own for a little bit and I can shower, do the laundry, those things. It may help to try that so you can have more time for your DS. I can only imagine how it is raising two little ones. You are a strong woman. You can do this

shannoncorrin

I'm no expert, just a first time mom of a 4 week old, but ive really concentrated on keeping LO awake so he gets a full feeding. He is breast fed and I know that is important so they get the more nutrient rich milk. Snacking isn't a healthy habit, and it certainly sucks for you. Change her diaper, play with her arms/ legs, do whatever you can to keep her awake!

jennajoybeck

Do you think changing bottle types/brands would help her eat more at once and not get bored and fall asleep? I'm using cheap Evenflo & First Essentials right now.

CaliforniaDream87

Nicb13 said:

jennajoybeck said:

Do you think changing bottle types/brands would help her eat more at once and not get bored and fall asleep? I'm using cheap Evenflo & First Essentials right now.

DS did much better once we switch to Dr. Brown's bottles. He was a snacker too.


This. Babies snack from time to time OP. My LO is 13 weeks and still does it. I'm sure it's something that comes and goes.

nikki_rob_weddingplans

Have you tried the Baby Whisperer EASY routine? That did the trick with DS snacking. I just made sure to burp him with him in a sitting position facing me with my hand supporting his neck as opposed to laying him up on my shoulder where he was too comfy and would stay asleep. I'd then talk and keep him awake then we'd go do an "activity" like diaper change, bouncy chair, trip to the store, etc. That definitely helped us move from eating every one or two hours to eating closer to every three hours.