Babies feeding

[joannewatson]

I have a 3 month old baby. I feed him every 3 hours during the day and he takes either 5 or 6oz. He will not take any more than this amount in a feed but cries for more milk after 1 1/2-2 hrs. I rock him and try and distract him until 3 hours have passed as he got colic in the past from feeding too frequently.

Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks

[leewayne]

I had the same with my daughter she's 6 months now,i know how you feel,my daughter never finished her bottles so was hungry an hour later,felt like i was feeding constantly and she was always sick so that didnt help!! All i would say is feed him if he seems hungry,or give him less but often,i know its a pain but once hes on food it will get better. Or giving him cooled boiled water in between?? Good luck

[joannewatson]

Thanks, I just worry he will get collicky again. I did try water but after a couple of gulps he's not fooled! :o)

[tigwig]

I know your'e not supposed to but you could try a small spoonful of babyrice after each bottle

[aims1202]

I think you are doing the right thing by distracting him until he is due the next feed. It maybe hunger but it might not be that he's crying for food, but for cuddles and play time. Some babies dont like being rocked but just held or put down and talked/sung to or you could try putting your hand over his chest it calms some babies. I do remember though at this age mine did need extra milk in the evening, i think it helped with sleeping all night. But i breastfed so might not be the same.
I think giving them baby rice or food at this age upsets their tummy more.
Hope this helps!

[Solarjunkie]

Babies have tiny stomachs, so they can only take a small amount at a time.

He may simply be thirsty, so give him water.
He may be a baby who likes sucking - try a dummy.
He may be ready for a little solid food, some are at 3 months.

They don't follow the books exactly, each one is individual, so go with what feels right for you. Good luck.

[oldmegan]

I know this doesn't sound like much help at the moment, but a few months from now it will all seem like a distant nightmare. Hang in there and just go with the flow, if he needs feeding then do it, he will grow quickly and need less and less attention and you will get your life back. Us mothers have all been there and sympathise. Please don't worry about wot you are doing, whatever it is for your baby is right.

[leewayne]

Good answer old megan

[joannewatson]

Thanks everyone, its good to get some opinions and idea's to try from other mums. And thanks oldmegan, that makes me feel much better xx.

[Mrs.wchopper]

My baby is months now and did have very bad colic when she was younger. We found that she actually was crying from being handled too much. We nurse her for 10 or 15 mins after her bottle then put her on her play mat and she's quite happy there for an hour or so. The other thing we had to do was heat her water up to just above room temperature, the same as her bottles and then she drank it fine.

[oldmegan]

One thing I forgot to say is that my DIL used to take our grandson who had really bad colic - I mean like screaming for 6-8 hours non-stop - to a baby osteopath. Did you have a caesarian? She did and the osteopath said that if the baby doesn't come down the birth canal and is compressed, then his abdominal organs can be out of place and cause even more pain. It cost about �20 a visit, but my DIL said that after each visit the baby was calmer and more relaxed. Didn't cure it completely, but really helped.

[joannewatson]

Hi oldmegan, thats really interesting as I did have a c-section as he was breach. Luckily he's not as bad as that and he has improved a lot with his crying in the last week or so.

[oldmegan]

I'm so pleased for you, Joanne. I know it's difficult. We (my husband and I) spent the first two weeks with my son and DIL after our grandson was born and it took all 4 of us to cope with him. If you can afford a baby osteopath, then maybe it would chill him out a bit and give you a break! Our grandson is a year old today and is a delight, happy and interested in everything. He eats like a trouper and sleeps every night through. You will get there, just believe!! XX

[joannewatson]

Thanks oldmeg. Your DIL is lucky to have your support, it must have been really hard. Unfortunately I cant afford an osteopath but he is improving and he has just gone 3 months today so hopefully he should get better and better!

[aims1202]

You could try doing baby massage, which is free. Some baby groups have health visitors who do classes or you can ask your hv if she has any info on it. It is a lovely experience anyway and might help to calm your baby and help with colic if he has it.

[joannewatson]

Hi aims, I have a baby massage DVD which I have been using and it seems to really chill him out, also I am attending a class next week so I am looking forward to that. I wanted to do baby yoga as well but no one seems to do it. Jo

[Loz_82uk]

I just wanted to say my daughter is 3 1/2 months and feeds every 2-3 hours and only takes 4oz max! (although she only wakes up once during night for a feed!) She constantly cried between feeds and we thought she had colic, but the doctor diagnosed acid reflux - I would never have guessed she had this as she was never sick after feeds. He prescribed gaviscon to put in her bottles and she's alot more settled! We're gonna start giving her a bit baby rice when she's 4 months old to see if she can go longer between feeds.

[joannewatson]

Hi Loz, i read about reflux and it did cross my mind. When ive mentioned to the doctor and the health visitor what he's like though i just seem to get fobbed off with "try this and that". I have tried everything and was particularly upset today as he was crying in pain at every feed and crying in between with hunger. They make me feel like I'm just worrying over nothing. He has started sleeping through the night now though, so at least I get a full nights sleep!

[aims1202]

Well done for that, sounds like you are doing much better than you think! Its true that what seems like a struggle or worry now will be a distant memory very quickly. Babies change so quick that you soon realise what you have been worrying about so much has now disappeared and its something else!
Some small babies do cry more than others and sometimes the reason is not always known. The baby massage sounds as though it helps and i'm sure as he gets older it will get better.

[joannewatson]

Thanks aims, its funny you should say that because yesterday he was brill all day and I thought Im worrying about nothing! I'm sure tomorrow will be different, if not I'll find something else to worry about!! ;o) Its good to hear from other mums though, does anyone know of a web site specially for mums with babies?