My LO is 8 weeks today. He is exclusively on breast milk, mostly by breast. He gets 1 pumped bottle most days, and on the 2 days I work he gets bottles all day.
He is a snacker. He eats little bits all day long--every hour, sometimes sooner, sometimes up to 2 hours. Even at night he will only go 3 hours, rarely 4, more often 1 1/2 or 2.It's making me crazy and hurting my breasts. At this age, he should be having 3-5 ounces every 3-4 hours, not 1 ounce every hour!I can't seem to make him take more at one time...nor can I stretch it out between feedings without screaming hysteria for an hour or more while he waits. He is gaining like crazy, nearly 1lb per week.
He does the same whether it's breast days, or mom-at-work bottle days. And he hates/refuses the pacifier.
He does have reflux, but that is under control. He's no longer eating so often to control reflux pain. (Zantac, chiropractor, gave up dairy, etc.) He naps and sleeps really badly because he's constantly waking up to eat...an ounce...then tired again...
Anyone know of any sort of book or professional who can get this kid on a better eating/sleeping schedule? My pediatrician and my lactation consultant don't believe in schedules. They both tell me "He should be eating more, less often," but they also tell me, "If he's really crying for food you have to give it to him even if it's only been an hour." Well, that's the problem! There is no way to reconcile those two suggestions!..
Getting desperate. I've had no sleep in 2 months now, and no down time during the day as he rarely naps more than a half-hour as he always wants to snack again. WHAT do I do?