Cluster Feeding - Does it stop?
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Topic: Cluster Feeding - Does it stop?
Posted By: MonicaMouse
Subject: Cluster Feeding - Does it stop?
Date Posted: 04 February 2008 at 12:07pm
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Shortly after Blair was born I experienced a couple of weeks of major cluster feeding during the evening, it then settled down majorly and we managed to get into some good evening/bedtime routines.
Because of the heat I have pushed back bathtime/bedtime a bit, but in the last week Blair seems to have reverted back to major cluster feeding during the evening. Last night I swear I was feeding on and off over a 4 hour period. I tried twice to put him to bed, (well winded) and within 20 minutes got major crying - like he was hungry - and when I picked him up he was sucking like mad at my shoulder, and when I put him on the boob he goes hard like he hasn't been fed for hours. He had a good growth spurt a couple of weeks back. Is it just the heat, low fat breast milk (I gave him 100ml of EBM last night to see if that helped after a couple of hours and then back onto boobie) just one of those things, or maybe a sign that my wee man will be ready for solids a lot sooner than I had planned/hoped. I'm also wondering if I need to look at a formula feed for evenings. ------------- 
Blair 15/10/2007 Daniel 30/07/2009 |
Replies:
Posted By: Maya
Date Posted: 04 February 2008 at 12:11pm
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It should pass, it probably is a combination of the chronic heat making him thirsty rather than hungry and the foremilk helps quench that thirst, and the usual 'jungle hour' that most babies have around that time of day.
I wouldn't rush to give him formula unless you really want to, I gave the gremlins a formula feed at night from about 3 weeks to try and help them sleep better/longer at night but it didn't make any difference at all. You could try some cooled boiled water when it's really hot like this,either from a bottle or a teaspoon. -------------  Maya Grace (28/02/03)
 (02/01/06)
The Gremlins:Sienna Marie & Mercedes Kailah (14/10/06)
Lil miss:Chiara Louise Chloe (09/07/08)
Her ladyship:Rosalia Sophie Anais (18/06/12)
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Posted By: nikkitheknitter
Date Posted: 04 February 2008 at 4:12pm
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Like Emma said, probably thirst. It will also be helping to build up your supply... though I found that would drive me INSANE as for about 3-4 days I felt like I didn't have enough milk and Hannah would be feeding feeding feeding and then all of a sudden it seemed to catch up and I would have milk for Africa and she wouldn't frigging well drink it all! (Too much)
So I reiterate giving him some cooled boiled water in the evenings. And it will settle down once it isn't so hot! |
Posted By: busymum
Date Posted: 04 February 2008 at 6:46pm
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He's probably just about over them actually and you can introduce solids slowly anytime from 4mos. What I found was a 3 1/2m growth spurt when I felt completely exhausted, then a 4 1/2m growth spurt when I introduced solids. ------------- |
Posted By: Maya
Date Posted: 04 February 2008 at 6:59pm
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I wouldn't rush introducing solids tho, there is strong evidence to support delaying the introduction of solids for as long as possible up till 6 months as it gives the immature gut time to develop and become ready for other foods. Most babies don't actually *need* solids until 5 1/2 - 6 months anyway. ------------- Maya Grace (28/02/03)
(02/01/06)
The Gremlins:Sienna Marie & Mercedes Kailah (14/10/06)
Lil miss:Chiara Louise Chloe (09/07/08)
Her ladyship:Rosalia Sophie Anais (18/06/12)
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Posted By: peachy
Date Posted: 04 February 2008 at 9:43pm
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monicamouse I too recommend the cooled boiled water. I have been giving that to Lauren the last few days as its just so damn hot, a refreshing bit of water must be nice for them. I have also noticed her last feed at night is not such a long daunting task, so maybe he's thirsty??
I am offering 50mls of water to Lauren at the moment and she normally drinks about 30mls of it and she guzzles it!! ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: yummymummy
Date Posted: 05 February 2008 at 6:51am
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I would say its thirst too so do try some cooled boiled water - the heat wave we've been under is meant to end in a week or so (fingers crossed).
I wouldn't rush into formula unless you think you don't have enough milk. And I'd back Emma on the solids - there is a lot of evidence waiting until bub is around 6 months is really beneficial. ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: MonicaMouse
Date Posted: 05 February 2008 at 11:35am
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Thanks all. I really wanted to wait until we were as close to 6 months as possible until we started with solids, but becaause he seems so hungry lately I wondered if we were going to have to start earlier.
Yesterday afternoon wasn't as bad as the day before, but I've boiled water and it's there waiting if I need to give it a go. -------------
Blair 15/10/2007 Daniel 30/07/2009 |