Going back to work and BF every 2 hrs..

[romigu]

Ummm- how exactly is this going to work? DS1 ate every 3-4 hrs by the time I went back at 12 weeks (thank you baby connect for enabling my FTM neurosis so that I can look back on that info) but DS2 is showing no signs of having a similar schedule. He eats every 1.5- 2 hours around the clock and usually gets fussy around 4am. Now, i am used to not having much sleep as I work in health care but this is a bit much. I already have every type of swaddle, a rock and play. I do plenty of lights during the day and only use my cell phone backlight to guide him at night to latch. I do white noise as well. When we've given him a bottle, he only takes 2 oz before passing out and refusing any more. I have 3 weeks to solve this problem. Any suggestions on how to spread out those night time feedings?

[MamaMaui24]

Are you feeding one or both breasts? (Just thinking with one, he would get more hind milk and stay fuller longer?)

[brady2012]

I had the exact same problem with my second child as well. I sent him with enough bottles to eat every 2 hours (5 bottles). I made sure they took breaks while feeding him as well. He ate 20 oz the first day at exactly 3 mos. he settled to around 18 per day after that.

I managed to keep up but created no freezer stash like I had with DD. I think I had to supplement around 7 mos but that was due to a supply dip.

I was worried about night time but daycare either wore him out or coincidentally he started stretching night feelings out to 3-4 hrs within a week or so.

[lilac05]

It sounds like you're doing everything you can do...and that's all you can do! Just like adults, babies have a wide variety of eating habits/schedules/appetites.

Remember, when you're only 2 months old, 3 weeks is a LONG time! A lot can & will change on its own in that time.

[VillainV]

Is there anyone who can help with MOTN feedings using pumped milk?

[moopoint17]

DS2 was like that when I went back to work. For the 12 hours I'm away, I gave him 6 bottles of 4oz and right now (6 weeks later) he's on 5 bottles of 5oz. He has a bottle every 3 hours although sometimes in the afternoon he'll have one 1.5 hrs in between.

As for the middle of the night, he still wakes up at 12 and 3 to eat.

[romigu]

Well, I'm finding that co sleeping might be the only temporary solution. I'm worried that if someone feeds him then my supply will drop and I know I'm too tired/lazy to pump at the same time. Ugh. Soooo tired!!