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Baby not sleeping (BF/Formula); I'm going crazy...
Topic Started: Jun 8 2006, 12:14 PM (116 Views)
Socks18
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queen
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Gavriel is being an absolute angel for the babysitter. Eating every 3-4 hours and sleeping the day away. As soon as I pick him up from her, he gets cranky and spends the rest of the evening sucking on me pretty much and resisting sleep. Last night was bad, he didn't fall asleep until 1.30am! I was in tears and threating a bottle of formula, but he finally fell asleep. I am seriously considering starting to give him one bottle of formula before bed (that way I can pump then too and get more milk for the freezer). But I feel so guilty doing that. I know I have enough milk for him, I'm just getting more and more frustrated at night. He still wakes up every 3 hours on the dot to eat and it's begining to take it's toll on me now that I'm back at work full time. Maybe a bottle of formula before bed will help him sleep longer??
What do you think? DH really doesn't want me to use formula, but my sanity is worth something too.
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realeez
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Brain Freeze
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i tried formula b4 bed and didn't find that it made a difference in terms of sleeping longer... sorry!
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zuncompany
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I have a friend who works full time, pumped for her kids, and nursed when home. She said her kids did the same thing... they cluster fed for hours on end cause they missed mommy. Can you lay down and nurse him? It is a lifesaver for me! She says formula will not help... he wants mommy.
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chavamom
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Bala Buste
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It's fairly normal baby behavior whether you work or not. But yes, my kids that were with a sitter during the day would 'cluster feed' at night. Sleeping with them made it a lot easier. It also meant I didn't have to pump as much as they were taking less with the sitter.
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gayilc
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aishes chayil
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My kids never drank more then 10-12 ounces when I was out a whole day. They nursed when I came home. I was out from 7:30 am - 6:30 pm those days. I think it's totally normal. They're saving all their "special moments" for you!
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U Tarzan Me Jane
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Rebbetzin
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i found with one of my kids, that if I gave him a bottle after he was nursed he slept for four hours, but past that first night feeding, he was up every 2 1/2-3 hours. It takes a few months before they sleep for more than3-4 hours at a stretch. :hugs
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Karapooz
aishes chayil
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Like Zun said- try lying down to feed! It's a lifesaver. I did that with Zusha all the time, but with Gedalya I can't- or else Zusha will be jumping on top of us both.
Lying down is such a help!!
And abt formula- you never know what new can of worms you can open- you can start seeing allergies in him. He can refuse to nurse altogether if he likes the formula.
Do you have any extra milk from the day? Let DH give it to him while you retire early and snag an extra 3 hours.

To tell the truth, in the 1st week, I left DH to give Gedalya formula a few nights. I had no strength to pump, was sick as a dog, and nursing hurt more than labor (not kidding-had a very easy labor.)
So in order to keep your sanity, a small bottle or 2 won't really hurt. But I wouldn't make it into a habit. And better to use your milk if possible.
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zuncompany
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have you tried swaddling? My boys hated it but Freida loveS it. She won't sleep unless she is swaddled. Also play around with where you are putting him down. Maybe the crib or bassinet is just not snug enough. They have been cuddled in our womb for nine months, all nice and snug and warm. I bet it is a shock to come and nolonger be snug. Freida will not sleep unless she is in the carseat. So, I let... I need my sleep too!
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Chavelamomela
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aishes chayil
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This is very common for a mom who goes to work. Your baby is normal, and misses his mommy. Expect that evenings will be full of cluster-feeds.
I remember reading about this phenomenon in Dr Sear's The Baby Book, so it wasn't a surprise to me when this happened, and helped me know to expect this.

Another suggestion that you may find helpful: wear your baby in a sling/pouch when you get home. Carrying the baby around will calm him down (he'll smell you, be reassured by your presence, etc) and you can also nurse him in the sling.
Wearing your baby in a sling is a great way to foster bonding and attachment between mom and baby.

DesignMommy has a pouch that she can probably show you - or you can get a ring sling (skip the nojo and buy something better...www.thebabywearer.com for suggestions and reviews)

Good Luck and feel free to PM me with questions about slings, etc. (or post them).
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Socks18
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queen
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thanks so much!!! Some great advice, you have given me some chizuk, it's good to know I'm not alone!
Zun - Gavriel doesn't like being swaddled too much - he always kicks it off :(

Chavi - I have a hotsling which I use sometimes but he doesn't love (only time he's been happy in it is when he's in a good mood anyway.) haven't tried it in a couple of week so maybe I'll try again tonight when I need to be cooking for SHabbos)

During the night I do lay down while I feed him and we both end up falling asleep like that in my bed - doesn't thrill me because I don't want him to get too used to sleeping with us - I want my bed back so DH and I can have some quiet time -right now G kinda takes it all over! :blink:

I wish he would take a paci becauseI knwo that half the time all he wants to do is suck - dh has him sucking on his finger and he can do it for 20 minutes straight quite happily :rolleyes:

I guess I just have to be patient and hopefully with time he';ll start sleeping longer...

thanks!!!!!!
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0613
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:)
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Socks18
Jun 8 2006, 03:42 PM
I wish he would take a paci becauseI knwo that half the time all he wants to do is suck - dh has him sucking on his finger and he can do it for 20 minutes straight quite happily :rolleyes:

did you try different types of pacis? some kids like some but not others.
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Karapooz
aishes chayil
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RE: paci :paci:
Try a few different types, and keep it up for a few days. Hold it by the tip of his lips and let him suck it in himself. Don't know if it will help. Some kids just aren't paci people.
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Chavelamomela
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aishes chayil
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Socks18
Jun 8 2006, 02:42 PM
Chavi - I have a hotsling which I use sometimes but he doesn't love (only time he's been happy in it is when he's in a good mood anyway.) haven't tried it in a couple of week so maybe I'll try again tonight when I need to be cooking for SHabbos)

Socks, It's great that you have a hotsling pouch. Truth is, I find pouches to be OK, but not great. With a good ring sling, you can hold the baby real close to your chest (in the nestle-type of position) and it's a very comforting hold. A pouch cannot be adjusted, so you can't tighten it around the baby to bring him close to your chest & neck.

I highly recommend ring slings (avoid the Nojo). They have a bit of a learning-curve, but are totally worth it.

www.thebabywearer.com for general advice, tips, recommendations, etc.

Here's some links to some inexpensive, but comfortable slings:

Pretty Mamma Slings

Very highly reviewed:
Sleeping Baby Productions

Now for the full-price ones (well worth the $$)

Soul Baby Slings

My favorite sling: (the organic cotton sling)
Taylor Made Slings

My dream silk-sling! (check out the navy silk -it's on sale!)
Zolowear silk slings (drool...)
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