Routine/Feeding Help
Printed From: OHbaby!
Category: Have A Baby?
Forum Name: First baby? Second or more?
Forum Description: Want help? Need support? Want tips? Men and women share advice and tips in this supportive community
URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=22224
Printed Date: 11 September 2025 at 8:00pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.10 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Routine/Feeding Help
Posted By: KiwiL
Subject: Routine/Feeding Help
Date Posted: 05 November 2008 at 10:09am
|
Ok, apologies in advance - I know this is going to be a bit long winded.
We are trying the Gina Ford routine. For a while it was working and now it's not. I am not hung up on it, and am happy to go with the flow. But even if I were following a simple 3 hour feed-play-sleep routine, it wouldn't be working at the moment. Firstly, Jackson is starting to be awake a lot longer and wanting to play more. I am not forcing this on him, he is just naturally wanting to be awake for 1.5 - 2 hours at a time. I am not adverse to this. Under normal circumstances, I would happily just let him be awake and then let him sleep longer to balance it. But, because he is a slow weight gainer, if I do that somewhere along the line he will drop a feed during the day, and we can't allow that to happen at the moment. And that won't work with a three hourly cycle either as he will just end up not getting enough sleep. Secondly, Jackson is feeding better but I think he stops when he is not hungry any more, as opposed to when he is actually full. What this means is that he will feed, then play, then go down to sleep but wake up half an hour later being hungry. And half an hour is not enough sleep, so everything is thrown out of kilter. For instance, today he got up at 6:30am. Fed for about 40 minutes and then was awake and playing (I was trying to wind him down but he was just grinning and cooing at me). He went to sleep at 8:30am. Then woke at 9am hungry! I gave him a little feed and put him back to bed, but this will throw out our cycle for the whole day as next time I wake him he will not be hungry enough to feed properly. So... here are some questions! 1) How do I make him eat enough at his proper feed, so that he goes to sleep and doesn't wake up hungry? 2) Any routine tips and ways I can make this work without having to drop a feed during the day? 3) Could this be just a growth spurt throwing us out of kilter? He is 6.5 weeks, so potentially he IS getting enough at his main feed but is just generally hungrier? Any tips would be greatly appreciated! As it is... I am tired too! I am trying to nap when he does, but it doesn't work if he wakes after half an hour. I wake up and then can't go back to sleep! ETA: I have tried giving him a top up before putting him back down to bed, but he refuses it, so that isn't solving the problem. Also, during his proper feed I am trying a billion tricks to keep him eating - pumping his arm, tickling his face or feet, doing circles in his palm, putting a cold cloth on the back of his neck. It definately helps,but doesn't keep him going past the point where he has fully decided enough is enough. |
Replies:
Posted By: aussiegirl
Date Posted: 05 November 2008 at 10:16am
Hi kiwilaurie 
DD was 7 weeks when we put her on a 3 hourly routine due to slow weight gain (and I went on Motilium for my milk supply). I was told by Plunket and Family Centre to keep her up for 1 hour to 1 hour 15 mins as she was getting overtired.I had to stroke her face etc to encourage her to keep feeding for the full feed. What happens if you put Jackson to bed after the hour or hour 15 mins? I found this was the only way i could keep to the 3 hour routine. It did take a couple of days to get used to, but then worked out really well. in saying this, it could be a growth spurt! 
I hope you get it sorted soon and are able to get some rest. Take care -------------  Mum to Hayley **30.6.08
http://lilypie.com"> 
|
Posted By: aussiegirl
Date Posted: 05 November 2008 at 10:54am
|
oops, just read your edited post...hmm, I see you are doing all the tricks to encourage him to feed
Have you been to a Family Centre? They really, really helped us get sorted re: routines and feeding, which then helped with sleeping and DD's weight gain. ETA: The local Karitane nurse was also a great help. I accessed her through Plunket and she was the one who got me to put DD down in bed awake so she would learn to self-settle (it did take a few days) . ------------- Mum to Hayley **30.6.08
http://lilypie.com">
|