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| Charlotte Preemies |
| Public online group |
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My very gassy DS was a preemie (7.5 weeks early) and was on a 3 hour feeding schedule in the NICU. So, when he came home, I continued him on this same schedule. Lately, he hasn't been drinking his whole bottle...right now at the most, he takes 4 oz at a time. He may drink 1 ounce, 2 ounces, 3 ounces or all 4 (rarely). At times, I am having to force him to eat (wait til he falls asleep or I found putting him in his bouncy seat with the vibration on takes his mind off his gas pains and most of the time, he'll finish his bottle - or at least most of it). GI doc says bouncy seat distracts him from his gas pains...anyway, I just assumed his "not eating" was due to his gas, reflux or something else (that's why we went to see the GI doc). GI doc confirmed that his probs are gas. But, we didn't discuss his feeding schedule, I did mention to him that he doesn't always finish his bottle, etc. A friend of mine suggested that he should definitely not be on a 3 hour schedule. At least 4 hours as he is 10 lbs right now (he's 3.5 months - 8 weeks adjusted age). She said that the reason he isn't finishing his bottle is because he's eating every 3 hours. My mom suggested that I take him off the schedule and just let him tell me when he's hungry. I like the schedule because at least I can plan my day better, etc. But I just wonder if taking him off the schedule would be better and would allow him to eat more at a feeding since he's letting me know when he's hungry. (Also, after 11 pm, I don't wake him to feed him - I do let him tell me when he's hungry then). I'm also afraid I'm going to waste formula because I'm not going to know the difference between his hungry cry, tired cry or diaper change cry (I've never really heard his hunger cry before since I'm obviously feeding him before he's hungry. Typically the only time he cries now is when he's tired. And because I'm feeding him every 3 hours, his diaper gets changed at least that often and he's not crying because of that now either). Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
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Cyndi Blanchette
Mother to Alex, Wife to John
JB's Home Repair - Contact me for more info or call 980-722-5482 and tell him Cyndi referred you. |
| Posted by Cyndi on 04/21/2007 11:35 AM
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Hi Cyndi ... I've been reading some of your posts about your feeding questions. I got some great advise from a Preemie Nurse that visited us right after Sarah came home from the hospital. Her advise ... "feed them when their hungry and feed them until they are full" And, they will tell you when they are hungry and when they are full. For me, that meant letting Sarah set the schedule she was comfortable with. We tried to put her on a specific schedule to meet our (really my) needs but she always brought us back to what she wanted to do.
I agree with your mom and your friend, Alex should definitely not be on a 3 hour feeding schedule. As he gets older, he should start eating more at each feeding and will gradually have fewer feedings.
I can't remember how much Sarah drank at 3 months. I did keep a feeding log to monitor how much she drank per day because she didn't always drink a full bottle at each feeding. I can't seem to find copies of the log ... must have thrown them away after we moved to baby food. The pediatrician can guide you on how many ounces Alex should have per day based on his weight.
Let me know how things are going.
Diane |
| posted by Diane on 05/04/2007 10:05 AM
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