radnrach

Hi Fuschia - I've just had a good read and think he could be going through this. Although I think it's a separate issue from the constantly hungry one. Thanks for letting me know, at least I can start to deal with one issue now. :) Edited to ask: Has anybody who's already experienced this 4-month sleep regression have any pointers? He usually spends the first half of the night in his moses basket, and then I give up and co-sleep for the rest of the night. I'm not sure I should be doing this if I need to start developing healthy sleep habits (for him and me).

The main thing, I would say, is it is emotional. Very emotional. So much love floating round that you're not quite sure what to do with it. And so much emotion tied in to something that you're meant to be rational about. It's impossible to be rational when your baby is crying and you just want to make him feel better and you're not sure how!

I hope no-one minds me bringing this up again, but I'm still working through this whole 'early weaning' deal, and have come across some advice that does really make me think I'm doing the right thing by introducing baby rice, etc. before 6 months (my son is now 20 weeks). Possible signs baby wants to wean: He has been taking full feeds 4-5 times a day from both breasts and gets irritable and chews his hands right after. (my son has at least 8-10 full feeds a day, not including his night feeds. He has recently taken to waking up halfway through his nap for some food and going back to sleep. This is not for comfort, he has almost a full feed then, too) He screams for more when the feed finishes. (My son is always hungry. always. If I express in the morning to feed him later when my milk supply is less, he cries because there's not enough milk in the morning/afternoon. He is always hungry right after his feeds.) He wakes up more in the middle of the night and has full feeds. (my son wakes up all.the.time. The longest amount of time he is asleep is 3 hours. I've tried leaving it, rocking him to sleep, etc. Last night I tested out whether it was the fact he wasn't hungry, and we were up for an hour until I fed him. He will go back to sleep but then minutes later scream the house down because: he is hungry. Every time he wakes up, he eats.) He is at least 4 months and has doubled his birth weight and weighs over 15lbs (my son was born 7lbs 11 ounces and now weights 19lbs), and your HV is happy with his weight gain each week (she is more than happy). In contrast to Fuschia and others in this thread, the hospital staff at Kings/midwives/health visitors have always been very pro exclusively breast feeding. I attended the BF workshop, which only confirmed my decision to breastfeed for as long as I could and to work through all the difficult issues. Nobody has once suggested that I use formula as a top up, or that I wean early. When I last visited my HV, I was the one that mentioned giving him baby rice, because he was literally wanting to eat constantly, and I was worried that his hunger was changing his temperament from a content, happy baby to a constantly hungry, grizzly baby. Only after I asked did my HV recommend early weaning with baby rice and breastmilk and perhaps adding in vegetables and fruit. I will not be introducing solids until after 6 months old. So far I have offered baby rice twice, and to be honest it didn't really effect how much he is eating. I wonder if I perhaps have not given him enough because I'm so worried due to all the conflicting evidence and advice! Therefore, I have made the decision to give it a go properly and hope that I am doing the right thing. This motherhood thing - seriously. The hours I've spent deliberating and worrying about this. It's got to get easier, right?! :))

What's the blog web address? I'd love to read it!

I know that 19 weeks is the time where he can have a growth spurt, but my son has been like this from day one - eating continuously, almost. After reading all your posts and links, I'm going to have more of a think about what I want to do. For some reason, it just feels right to offer him some baby rice. Not quite sure why. I don't mind breastfeeding exclusively for longer - I've been doing it so long now and so often, it'll be weird not do feed him less than every two hours, I won't know what to do with myself.

I read this this morning. To be honest, it's come at a good time for me. My son is just over 4 months (19 weeks) and still exclusively breastfeeding at least every 2 hours (even at night). He's in the 95th percentile, and looks more like a 6-7 month old. I saw the HV this week and she agreed with me that introducing baby rice early would be a good idea for us. I had been wary because of all the 6 month literature, but I think I'm going to do it. He's just so hungry, and I can tell my breast milk just isn't enough for him anymore. I'm going to mix the baby rice with breast milk to begin with and see how he responds to it, then go from there. I'm still going to BF him - not quite sure how this is going to work, it's all very new to me!

I cycled to work (Old Street) from East Dulwich every day up until I was 34 weeks along. All doctors/midwives said it was fine as long as I was careful - i.e. as long as I didn't get in an accident. The only reason I stopped was because the midwife said she didn't want me going into labour at the side of the road. I loved it, it was a really good way to keep healthy and happy. It was easier for me because I had a dutch bike, so I didn't have to lean over at all. I suppose it might be different with different bikes?

It's taken me a while to feel 100% confident breastfeeding in public, and I still use a scarf to cover up baby's head and boob (although he's taken to pushing it off these days..). I would also say most places in ED are breastfeeding friendly, but my fave is Green & Blue. I went there for lunch with some friends, and there were at least 3 other women breastfeeding at different tables. And the food and wine was good, too.

Even though my baby is only 3 months old, I'm getting a little excited about his first Christmas. I'm thinking it might be nice to go see Santa, get a festive picture... etc. Where would you say is the best place to go in terms of experience? :)

I wish I'd been on the forum right after i gave birth! It would have made perfect reading for nighttime feeds. I was usually up from at least 3-6am with more feeds on either side. LeilahB: My little one went through a stage of grunting after his feeds. He would keep us awake for hours!! He seemed happy enough, though, and sometimes he was even doing it in his sleep. About 2 weeks ago I noticed he had stopped doing it, and there doesn't seem to be any particular reason why. I think it was around 10 weeks that he stopped, so don't worry, it won't last forever!

I know there's not a massive amount of games and activities you can play with a 3 month old, but I was wondering if anyone had any hints or tips? My little one hangs out under his baby-gym, and I try and change the toys occasionally so he doesn't get too bored. He spends some time on his tummy, and he also sits in his bouncer quite a lot watching what I'm doing. I try to talk about what I see/what I'm doing all the time to help develop his speech, etc. He loves it when I talk/sing to him. Also, I sing nursery rhymes and songs with actions. Recently I've started pulling him up to sitting position and rolling him over so he feels what it's like. I guess I'm just worried I'm not really doing enough - I want him to be happy/healthy/develop the best that he can. Does anyone have any other activities they do with their young ones? And how many hours a day do you play with them? I hate leaving him on his own to play, but I also understand that it's important for him to be able to entertain himself.

Just thought I'd give an update on this... After trying many different things, I happened upon a solution I wasn't expecting! My brother was visiting for the week, and he loves ale. One afternoon I was out with him, and drank half a pint of ale. Low and behold, that evening I had no problems.. in fact, over night I had too much milk! This has never happened to me before. I've tested this out - some days having no ale, some days having half a pint, and seriously - every time I have half an ale, my milk supply is just fine. So I have prescribed daily ale to myself. Strange, no?

After all of your helpful advice, I thought I'd update you on what happened... All went well! I only texted the babysitter twice to ensure all was well, and he was a super good boy, only crying when he was hungry. I had expressed 6 ounces, and the little fatty had finished it all off in 2 hours! But luckily he went straight to sleep after finishing it off and slept for 3 hours. I didn't panic, and he didn't cry the whole time. Yay! Thank you so much for all of your advice, it really helped me be reassured, and breast pads were definitely needed!

We went to the NHS classes at East Dulwich Hospital. I loved them - the midwife (i can't remember her name!) was perfect, she really covered a lot in the 3 sessions. To be honest, I really didn't know the first thing about labour/after birth until going to the lessons, they pretty much taught me all I know, and I was very well prepared when it came to it! I would also say to go prepared with all of your questions, because she is very good at answering them. Congratulations!

I was just today thinking the same thing - I met up with some of my husband's friends who I usually get along with really well (pre-baby) and found my brain completely void of things to talk about. After them asking how I was, I found myself talking about breastfeeding and issues I've been having... realising they really probably don't care too much and I just sound like another mother talking about her baby all the time. But there was no getting out of it! I also realised it's only going to get worse, as it's only been 11 weeks since finishing work, and I'm not back for at least another 6 months! Oh dear.

I'd like some advice or encouragement, I'm not sure! My baby is 11 weeks old this Saturday, and I will be leaving him with someone for the evening. I'm very nervous, anxious and weirdly upset about this. I have never left him for longer than around half an hour, and that was with my husband! The person I'm leaving him with is 100% trustworthy - she's an old family friend who used to be an au pair, and she is also a doctor. So I feel completely confident leaving him in her hands. I have also been pumping milk all this week so she will be able to feed him while I'm away. Firstly, does anybody have any advice about leaving little ones? Do they get upset while you're away, or are they usually okay this young to be with somebody else? Also, I'm wondering how much milk will be enough for around 4 hours? Does anybody have an approximate guideline? I know I have to be able to leave him at some point, and I'm planning on going back to work eventually, but I did not realise how hard it was going to be to leave him! Am I being silly?

Thanks everyone for your advice, I thought I'd give an update. To be honest, it's not gotten much better. I've tried eating more, drinking more, eating oatmeal, relaxation techniques, taking naps in the afternoon, pumping after feedings (which gets no milk at all!) and now I'm drinking Mother's Helper tea 4 times a day. To be honest, maybe it helps a bit, but really not much. I've bought some formula just in case one night it is seriously bad and little one needs to eat and I can't do anything about it. But for the moment, I'm just going to deal with him being on the breast all evening long and being frustrated. Hopefully this is just a phase! Thanks, though, for all of your help. It's good to know it's not just me and that other people have had the same problems!

I'm so glad you started this thread - it feels like such a taboo thing to ask/talk about to me. There is so much conflicting information about this on the internet, and I've been unsure what to believe! I've been feeling guilty for indulging in the second glass of wine, and have also felt guilty if it's more than 2 nights a week! But I definitely think that if little one is asleep for at least 4 hours in the evening, if I have a couple of glasses after he's just eaten then surely that should be okay? It's good to read other people think the same thing.

The way I know is because he stops swallowing, and when I squeeze, nothing comes out :( I'll have a read of that site, thanks for the link. And Ruth_Baldock, thanks for the tips, I'll give them a try!

Since I got such good advice last time I asked about breastfeeding, I thought I'd give this question a go... My little one is 9 weeks old, and breastfed only. He's gaining good weight, and he has a good amount of poops and pees in his nappy. Problem is, my milk supply seems to be pretty low in the evening, which means he ends up trying to feed most of the evening, and getting pretty little out of me. Not only is this frustrating for him, but I can do little else except try and feed him! Recently, I've started pumping in the morning and then in the evenings when there's absolutely no milk and he's starving, at least I have some for him. This usually works because he's nice and full and satisfied after the bottle. However, sometimes I don't have enough time to pump in the morning, and sometimes he's still hungry after giving the bottle. Is there anyway to get my milk supply up in the evenings? Has anybody had experience with this? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

I also used bio oil from 3 months on until 6 weeks after the birth, and haven't gotten any stretchmarks, it seemed to work for me!

Thanks for the encouragement, everyone! At least I know I don't need to be too worried, it's just probably that he's a big eater. It does take a lot of time and energy to keep him fed! It doesn't help that one of my friends with the same age baby is going on about how their baby is sleeping through the night and has around 4 hours between feeds.

I'm going to see the health visitor this week, but would like to hear people's opinions on the matter. My 7-week old is eating a lot, and often. At night time, (thankfully!) he eats every 2 - 3 hours, but in the day it's almost every hour. He usually empties a breast and I offer him the next one. He usually seems contented, and then soon enough wants more! Another thing is that his tummy seems really big after feedings - but I thought that breastfed babies can't overeat? I worry he's eating too much. Last Sunday, I thought he must be going through a growth spurt, but the 'growth spurt' seems to have lasted a little while now. Mainly I'd like to know: is this normal?

I'm meeting some friends for lunch in East Dulwich to meet my 4 week old, and was wondering what establishments are most breast-feeding friendly? I mostly don't want to be made to feel uncomfortable, and I know some places 'frown on' women breastfeeding. Any advice would be helpful!

My little boy also made an early entrance.. 4th of September, 2 weeks and one day early (he was due tomorrow!)