Community› The Bump Month Clubs› May 2013 Moms
May 2013 Moms
New Discussion

How to cure "snacking"

SpanFranSpanFran member
edited July 2013 in May 2013 Moms
Ladies, I am so close to losing it.  My dear, sweet, perfect son eats barely an ounce, every hour on the hour 24 hours a day.  Obviously, this has also been affecting his sleep, which worries me.  Night or day, he doesn't sleep for more than 45 minutes at a time because he wants to eat, but he's clearly exhausted.  We BF, but substitute pumped milk or formula when needed.  It doesn't matter what he eats, he only wants his one ounce every stupid hour. 

This is taking a toll on his sleep, his already abundant gas issues, and my very small grip on sanity.  Also, the constant stimulation of my boobs but never draining them has given me my first bout of mastitis, which I really don't care to ever experience again.  HELP.
image
Report Reply to Post

Re: How to cure "snacking"

  • PumpkinAndThePeanutPumpkinAndThePeanut member
    I'm sorry, that sounds rough. Could it be the gas that's causing him to prefer small frequent meals? Have you discussed with his pedi?
    Image and video hosting by TinyPic
    Report Reply
  • Loading the player...
  • RoxZ32RoxZ32 member
    wmorgan003 said:

    I'm sorry, that sounds rough. Could it be the gas that's causing him to prefer small frequent meals? Have you discussed with his pedi?

    This. Occasionally when L has belly issues she'll only eat a little bit at each feeding and be hungry again within an hour and a half. Sorry about the mastitis, I heard that is very painful! :(


    Lilypie First Birthday tickers
    Report Reply
  • SpanFranSpanFran member
    wmorgan003 said:
    I'm sorry, that sounds rough. Could it be the gas that's causing him to prefer small frequent meals? Have you discussed with his pedi?
    Possibly?  We burp him as much as we can, and I feel like all of our awake play time involves me trying to work gas out of his butt.  I should have mentioned his is also on Zantac for reflux.  I'll have to call his pedi this afternoon to discuss.  I really am concerned about his lack of sleep more than anything.  Not the "oh I wish he would STTN" sort of thing, but like, how do I feel when I only sleep for an hour at a time for days on end?  Like I could kill things.  So how is HE feeling right now??
    image
    Report Reply
  • mommatotwo2mommatotwo2 member
    How do you know that he's only getting an ounce at the breast?

    As far as baby not draining the breast, have you tried pumping after he eats, to get everything out?
    Lilypie Second Birthday tickers Lilypie Kids Birthday tickers
    Report Reply
  • beppes1013beppes1013 member
    Could it be that he has learned to hold in his bowels and thats the reason for extra gas and cluster feeding? J learned to do this at 4wks and we have been working with a GI ever since. Also, if he crys alot that could lead to excessive gas.
    Report Reply
  • SpanFranSpanFran member
    beppes1013 said:
    Could it be that he has learned to hold in his bowels and thats the reason for extra gas and cluster feeding? J learned to do this at 4wks and we have been working with a GI ever since. Also, if he crys alot that could lead to excessive gas.
    Tell me more about this.  He has been pooping less, and when he does go, it's a code brown 5 alarm barn burner.  I thought that was to be expected, however. 
    image
    Report Reply
  • SpanFranSpanFran member
    mommatotwo2 said:
    How do you know that he's only getting an ounce at the breast?


    I'm just assuming.  He latches on like a champ, but then is lazy when he sucks. 
    image
    Report Reply
  • Angela183Angela183 member
    My LO has some digestive issues and eats similar to how your LO eats (frequent, small meals). My pedi said because of these digestive issues, it is better to have the small more frequent meals and that my LO is basically forcing me to do this by eating this way.

     

    Report Reply
  • carabear87carabear87 member
    With him not draining your breasts it sounds like maybe he is not getting the fatty good milk only the "skim" milk. I had an over supply and it cause LO to fill up on the skim milk before getting the good stuff. He was fussy, gassy, and hungry very often because of it. Maybe try pumping a little before and see if you can't get the milk going so your LO can have the fattier stuff when its time to eat. Hope this helps a bit, that's got to be so tough!

    Image and video hosting by TinyPicBaby Birthday Ticker Ticker

    Report Reply
  • kelly422kelly422 member
    Not sure if this would help, but can you try distracting him for a little bit longer between feeds so he will hopefully be hungrier and take more volume and move towards more of a 2.5-3 hr schedule? 
    Report Reply
  • beppes1013beppes1013 member
    SpanFran said:


    beppes1013 said:

    Could it be that he has learned to hold in his bowels and thats the reason for extra gas and cluster feeding? J learned to do this at 4wks and we have been working with a GI ever since. Also, if he crys alot that could lead to excessive gas.

    Tell me more about this.  He has been pooping less, and when he does go, it's a code brown 5 alarm barn burner.  I thought that was to be expected, however. 


    From what the GI explained to us is that when a baby holds in there bowels they are more likely to strain and become constipated/gassy more so than if they were having normal bowels. With J, he kicks his legs out infront of him, straight as a board and i can feel him clinching his booty because he doesnt want to push it out. When J has bad episodes like this, he refuses to eat as much as he normally does. He will want eat every 1-1.5 hours but its only an 1-2oz then he wont he for another 3-4 hours after that.

    Report Reply
  • SpanFranSpanFran member
    Thank you ladies so much for all the advice!  I am going to try pumping before feeding, because I do think LO gets more foremilk.  I've seen a few green poops.  I did try to stall before feeding tonight with a longer bath and more singing, etc.  Let's see how it goes. 

    I am interested in this straining to poop thing.  He seems like he works SO hard to get a good one out.  It's especially obvious at night when he's sleeping, because he pretty much thrashes around until one squirts out.  I'm going to mention this to his pedi. 
    image
    Report Reply
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards
"
"