Feeding and overeating

paige0328

I'm primarily a lurker and have never formally introduced myself -- just want to say that I've learned a lot from reading, and really admire the strength of all of you ladies. Also, apologies if this is a stupid question... LO was born at 34w2d and we spent two weeks in the NICU. We're home now, and the issue of eating has always been at the top of my stress list! First it was worrying about eating enough... Now I'm concerned about eating too much. She's just over 5lbs, 3 weeks and 2 days old. She's been eating about 50-60cc's every 3 hours (exclusively eating pumped breast milk). Last night between 6-10pm, it was like she couldn't get enough. The pedi said I could break the NICU eating regimen and feed on demand, so I'd give a little bit more (i.e., ate 75cc, gave 10 more, and then 10 more, until she couldn't keep her eyes open at 10pm. It was exhausting). Overnight she continued to eat 75cc's, then after her morning feed today, threw up (definitely not spit up - there was a lot). She went back to eating normally today (between 50-60), and is now showing signs of being hugely hungry again. Rooting like crazy, kicking, sucking fingers and refusing the pacifier, just wanting more and more food. Do I wait an hour and allow it to digest, then offer a little more and hope it satisfies? I'm afraid she'll just keep eating despite being full and throw up again, but I feel just as bad withholding food if she's hungry. Sorry this is long (and probably really ignorant)... I'm thrilled to have a hungry baby, but I've become so accustomed to a NICU feeding schedule, that I'm totally thrown off. Any advice is greatly appreciated. Visiting the pedi tomorrow, so I'll see if she has suggestions, too. Thanks again! *sorry for no formatting, bumping from iPad*

opallover

I'm glad you psoted this. I'm having the same issue. We bfeed on demand and she's eating a lot - like 30 - 40 minutes at a time. then a couple times a day she pukes. Like out of her nose puke. I was ALWAYS told that you can't overfeed a bf baby.

So confused.

I wonder if she has reflux...

BritanyV

She's probably getting old enough to take more at a feeding than 2 ounces.   I try to breastfeed and weigh him, I know it's not completely accurate but then I top him off with EBM because he is usually still hunger after bfing.  He is still working on strengthening his muscles so I know he can't transfer all the milk he needs bfing.  DS is taking 3-4 ounces at a feeding (every 3-4 hours) and last night took almost 6 ounces before he would finally go to sleep!!! 

I'm so worried he is going to pop but I think that at 3 weeks (in term babies) they have a growth spurt, not sure if it is the same in a preterm baby or not though.  

I'll be watching this thread as this is an interesting topic for me right now.