Hi everyone! I'm new to this forum. Our GGG were born on Feb 7th at 30wks,1 day. They spent 8 weeks in the nicu, but are home now and doing well. We are having some issues with feeding that I thought some of you could help with. We were told to keep them on the 3 hour feeding schedule once they got home, which we have. The problem is that about half of the time we can't wake them up and they sleep through the feeding and only end up eating about half of the bottle. After that happens they will eat well during the next feeding. Sometimes it has been absolutely impossible to wake them. Our pedi said they could go to feeding every 4 hours at night once they weigh 6 pounds. Well, we have one at 6.9 lbs, another at 5.8;bs, and the third is just 4.6lbs. We feel like we are feeding them too often since a lot of the time they have no interest in food, but they don't all weigh enough to switch to 4 hours. The feedings now take us about 1 1/2 hours because we spend so much time trying to wake them up. Is this normal? Any suggestions? Is this just how it is with premies? I have 2 full time helpers here with me now and the feedings still take forever! Any advice would be great!

I can't remember exactly when we started but we dream fed them right in their beds. I know it's not really recommended but it was a blessing for us. I roll up a blanket put it next to them, turn their head and kind of run the nipple from the top lip to the bottom. They never really woke up but they would just start sucking. Good luck!

Nicole, Mom of Julia, Griffin and Braddock born at 28 weeks, 4 days
www.thedimasitrifecta.blogspot.com

Many kids come home from the hospital on a 4 hour schedule. I would give it a try and see if it works for you. I switched my kids to a 4 hour schedule about 8 weeks old because I hated the 3 hour so much. Doctors don't know everything. If you think your kids would eat better on a 4 hour schedule, try it. Just remember to keep feeding them the same total amount you were. Just add a little to each bottle.

Lori

http://yesidohavemyhandsfull.blogspot.com/

Oh boy do I remember that. Because you have your littlest at 4.6, a 4 hour schedule may be too long for her, especially since she is close to term and still that small. Our littlest was 3.5 lbs when she came home...so I totally understand.

Here are some of the things we used to wake them up enough to eat.

Unzip them
Tickle tummy, tickle feet...tickle anywhere
Take clothes off
Change their diaper...they tend to wake up for that
Use a baby wipe and wipe their tummy, or feet or face or hair
move/walk/talk/sing while feeding to keep them awake.
Feed them in a new location.

I am sure there was more...but I do know we had to WORK to get the girls to eat initially.

Hope yours grow out of this fast and become great eaters!

Susan

Parent to GGG born 31 weeks 4 days 4/26/07




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I always had them on a 4 hour schedule but our NICU had them on 4 hours as well so we just kept it up. My littlest guy was only 4 lbs when he came home. I would feed him early if he wanted (he usually woke up at about 3 1/2 hrs) but if he was sleeping I would let him go to 4 hours.

JILL MOM TO
KOURTNEY 3 LBS 1 OZ
KEEGAN 2 LBS 1 OZ
KARVER 1 LB 10 OZ
10/4/08 @ 29 weeks

Our two of our guys came home from the NICU on a 4 hour schedule. They were about 4 1/2 pounds when discharged and had been on the four hour schedule since they were about six weeks old. As the PP's said the doctors dont always know what is best especially when it comes to having multiples. To grow your babies need to sleep as well as eat so make the switch to the four hour schedule. The formula amounts should also be adjusted since they are dropping two feeds so that their overall intake stays the same. The four hour schedule is also SO much easier on the parents because you actually be able to get a break between feedings.

T.L. (SAHD)

Our little hoodlums:
Jacob - 2lb 15oz "Pastafarian"
Noah - 1lb 8 oz "Ut-Oh-ologist"
Samuel - 1lb 15 oz "Meatatarian" It's a commitment
DOB: 8/9/06 at 28+1


www.caringbridge.org/visit/ralstontriplets