Am I doing the right thing??

[Lanesje77]

Morning, my son is now 2 and a half weeks old, I breast fed him for a week and a half, but then started bottle feeding as he was fussing and feeding constantly in evenings and I was getting really down, but I'm pleased I managed that short tim bf-ing. Now when I had my first LO 7 years ago I did a similar thing, and when he went on to bottles he continued to wake every 1.5- 2 hours wanting feeding and I soon realised he was simply tired, not hungry, so one occasion, I left him to cry, it was horrible, he cried solidly for about 45 mins, but it worked, and he started to go every 3-4 hours. I'm currently sat rocking myself as I've decided to do the same with my newborn, number one because I he gets over tired, number 2 because he will be sick when he greedy eats too much and doesn't need the extra food, and number 3 I'm a sf employed hairdresser and I have to start doing clients again in a few weeks so I need for him to be in a happy routine. My question is, is this the best way to 'train' him, controlled crying is horrid but it did work first time for me, your advice would be appreciated x

 

[Saisb]

Hey, I'm not an expert but you could try to gradually increase the space between feeds. Hopefully you will be able to distract bubba by playing or singing rather than having to do controlled crying. I'm sure it works but letting them cry like that can break your heart. Maybe if you try extending by 10 mins each feed lo will get used to it quickly?

Good luck
X x

 

[VikkiR]

I extended the feed time 15 mins a time and increased again every 5-7 days as I couldn't bear seeing lo crying, I did this from 9 weeks as my lo was still being fed every 2 hours x

 

[Jaxx01]

im no expert but at two and a half weeks baby needs little and often and trying to make them go 3-4 is not ideal?? I know you 'need' him in a routine but I just think he will naturally get himself into it, I personally don't think you can train a newborn x

 

[Lanesje77]

I agree they don't know or understand a thing at this age, but my thinking is if he's rousing every 2 hours(often less) to be fed, he's not getting the sleep he really needs, and to add to that, he brings up about an ounce which he obviously doesn't need, I think if I can add 15 mind on to that every so often, that sounds like a plan! X

 

[pinkyprincess]

2 weeks is terribly young to train anything! Controlled Crying (which in itself can be damaging to a child) should NOT be used before 6 months, which any health professional will tell you. If a baby at that age needs feeding you must feed it. I bfed and was advised to stretch feeds (bad advice when bfing) at 6 weeks! Please don't do it to your 2 week old he won't understand. The first 6 weeks of having a baby throw you up in the air big time, it does get better, baby WILL go longer but please feed on demand for now. You have plenty of time for 'routine' re the throwing up have you seen a doc about reflux? If it was reflux getting it checked out could totally settle your baby.

 

[l_maclean]

When a baby cries - cortisol (I think that's right) - the stress hormone is produced - this can cause permenant damage to a developing brain if left to continu for too long. This is why Crying It Out is not recommened for under six months old.

Now don't get me wrong sometimes leaving a child to cry is unavoidable, but it just teaches them that no-one cares (sounds very much like the NSPCC child abuse advert doesn't it?!)

Sorry if that's harsh, but IMO 2weeks is far to early to start. X


On my iPhone - so cant see tickers

 

[Lolly85x]

I think he's far to little to be left crying. I know it would be good to get into a routine, but at this age i think it's very much controlled by them...!x

 

[vickib_1984]

You should be feeding little and often as that's how they build back up what they lose


xxx

 

[Lanesje77]

Ooo ouch ladies!! I totally appreciate your suggestions and advice, that is what I asked for in the end. But if I didn't already have a child and have been through the exact same thing I guess I wouldn't have a leg to stand on, but I have clients booked in in 4 weeks time and my son will be going to my mums whilest I work. In an ideal world I'd have 6 months off like I did with my son, but being self employed I simply can't lose the custom.
My 7 year old is a perfectly healthy, well rounded child so I know the start I gave him will work just as well for my new born.
I know it's not reflux, he is in no pain, he just likes his food and takes in too much, my son was the same, and so was i apparently, he was 8.6lb at birth and at 2.5 weeks, when weighed today is now 10.3lb!! The health visitor came today and I spoke to him, and as he said my baby is alert, a good colour and putting on weight so he was happy. I guess I just needed a bit of support from an outsider, that's why I asked you guys x

 

[Kayelle]

I agree that baby is too tough to be left to cry
My baba feeds like that sometimes now, but its what he needs. I know this as he is defo not overfed / fat and is very very happy

 

[becciboo26]

Ooo ouch ladies!! I totally appreciate your suggestions and advice, that is what I asked for in the end. But if I didn't already have a child and have been through the exact same thing I guess I wouldn't have a leg to stand on, but I have clients booked in in 4 weeks time and my son will be going to my mums whilest I work. In an ideal world I'd have 6 months off like I did with my son, but being self employed I simply can't lose the custom.
My 7 year old is a perfectly healthy, well rounded child so I know the start I gave him will work just as well for my new born.
I know it's not reflux, he is in no pain, he just likes his food and takes in too much, my son was the same, and so was i apparently, he was 8.6lb at birth and at 2.5 weeks, when weighed today is now 10.3lb!! The health visitor came today and I spoke to him, and as he said my baby is alert, a good colour and putting on weight so he was happy. I guess I just needed a bit of support from an outsider, that's why I asked you guys x

Re: thhe reflux - Sofia is a happy smiley baby who never cries (im very lucky i know lol) and never in pain but she throws up after most feeds and docs have diagnosed reflux, so it is possible, she is now on gaviscon and have been advised to wean from today. I agree with the others about the crying it out, its not something i would do, and at that age i really think they need to feed as often as every two hours, hes just too young imo x

 

[charliebear]

I agree with the ladies that baby is too young to be left to cry. A baby that wakes to feed every 2 hours needs fed and will get enough sleep between feeds.
Baby will naturally increase the amount of milk they take at each feed and go longer between feeds.

How much is baby actually taking at each feed?