Isn't it funny how things seem to change just as you think you have a handle on them? Here I was feeling pretty happy with myself because I had finally managed to juggle the twins without going crazy established a routine. Babies were getting fat, parents were getting to sleep, excursions to the outside were finally taking place--in essence, things were going great at the house.
The boys, sensing my smug attitude, have decided to ban together in their first show of "divided we fall" and have begun what will henceforth be known as Hunger Strike 2008. What has caused this little show of brotherly camaraderie, you ask? I haven't got a clue. I have thought long and hard about it too.
Illness? They don't really act sick outside of the HS2008.
Teething? Possible, but Jason's tooth is out completely (can we say awwwww) and his other is just about there, while Shawn's are pretty close to erupting as well.
The answer eludes me, unless making us suffer could be the rationale of a 7 month old. I am starting to think that is what this is.
During this last week, the boys have gone from eating a consistent 6 ounces (for Shawn) and 8 ounces (for Jason) in fifteen to thirty minutes to eating 3 1/2 - 4 ounces a feeding. Often, those 4 ounces take a good forty-five minutes to achieve. Bottles are being batted. Heads are turning away from us. Crying sometimes occurs. All in all, eating time has disintegrated. They are not eating more frequently, either.
Sigh.
Come on, boys. You are making me stress!
In an effort to maximize a healthy calorie intake, and therefore maintain our hard earned poundage, I have started giving the boys rice cereal with each feeding they eat below 5 ounces. They are not enjoying this new plan much. Let's just say that Jason's little video (and Shawn's)could have been taken today rather than last week. The reactions are the same.
I know that most of the answer lies in my releasing my obsession with relaxing a little about their eating. (I am seriously anal.) Still, I don't really see that happening for some time yet.
Anyone have any thoughts on what is going on with them?
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1 day ago
15 comments:
Sorry about the feedings, I understand where you are coming from!! I notice that my 7 month old does the same thing every once in a while, I think with my "doctors" degree that she is growing. (I have a teaching degree not a drs degree but with so much time in NICU and drs, I think we both have earned one) So, she eats and eats and then doesn't, then it picks back up. Maybe the boys are just going through a grow spurt. Also, while she was teething, she wanted nothing to do with food. Hope that helps, good luck!!
I am not sure and would definitely put a call into the dr if you are worried. But, I think that I would chalk it up to some new found independence. I know that after about age six months or so that my boys wanted to be on the floor playing more than they wanted to be held. They were also much more nosy about the world. They would nurse a few minutes and then pick their heads up to see what was going on. As they got older and more independent they seem to eat until the hunger pains subsided and then be happy to move on with what they were interested in. May not be the case with your guys, but that has been my experience. Could also be teeth you cannot see yet and also babies slow in growth in the second half of the year. Hope this helps. NCLM
Just came over via NCLM, and have read your story. First of all, congratulations on having two beautiful boys!
I don't have any suggestions on what could possibly be the rason for their hunger strike, but I certainly hope it doesn't last too much longer!!
I never had much luck with cereal. We battled cereal for weeks then went to fruits. They loved fruits and veggies. I think my twins would take a bottle first then fruit or veggies. One of my twins was always so hard to feed. He rarely took over 5 oz 4 times a day. It was frustrating but if it helps, he eats table food really well! It was like night and day once we switched to whole milk at 11 mos. Good luck, hang in there, at least they're both doing it so it doesn't seem like they're sick. Maybe they're just not in a growth spurt right now. once they start sitting and crawling all around they'll eat more.
You will go back and forth over this for years to come.
If it's not a sore throat and they could act pretty normal and you'd never know, or an ear infection or hand foot and MOUTH FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT'S HOLY....it's probably that it's getting warm and their bodies don't need as much food for a minute.
Kids bodies seem to control their hunger....unlike our minds controlling ours :)
They aren't starving to death. Feed them when they are hungry. the end.
Have you tried reading Ask Moxie's archives? She seems to tackle a lot of these type of things. My guess would be that there is some sort of developmental leap that they are about to tackle and they couldn't care less about food at this point. I wouldn't battle it unless they are losing weight-you don't want to set up a power struggle over food. Sorry if this is too much assvice-I hope you figure it out!
Having not gotten to that stage yet with my boys, I don't have any thoughts on what it could be, But I'll be looking for answers here in case it comes up for us!
Hi from NCLM!
in the absence of any other problems (weight loss or vomitting/diarrhea) it is most likely just a phase. you will find there are many, many phases with little ones. actually, big ones too. much like us - they sometimes just dont want to be bothered. when they are hungry and want to eat - they will. easy as it is for me (long past those issues) to say, you should just try to relax and take it as it comes. if you are truly worried there is a problem, just get with the doc-he'll assuage your fears.
I don't have any kids, so no assvice from me. :(
Hope the feeding gets better soon.
seriously- my girls are eating less as well latley- not sure why.
So glad all is well- isnt it great not to have too much to post about?
I think that they're appetites are changing. Get used to that...Change. Nothing stays the same. :)
And don't ever brag to someone about how well they sleep/nap/play/eat/etc. because that jinxes it...seriously. :)
Give them a week and it will change again!
Good luck and just go with the flow.
Stacie,
Found you via NCLM. My twins were born at 30 weeks. We had short cervix at 24 weeks and on bedrest (most in the hospital). pPROM at 30 weeks. Spent 7 weeks in the NICU. Baby A (Kaley) diagnosed with NEC. Two surgeries later she is healthy and happy.
My twins had good weeks and bad weeks feeding too. I won't tell you not to stress, because you probably will - I know I did. It is a normal baby phenomenon, though.
Congrats on your twins and having them home.
Sounds like you have your hands full. Here's to reading more of you! NCML
Well I have heard of a breastfeeding strike but not sure about a hunger strike in general. What have you found out? I saw the boys on your family blog - they are so cute and look so good together! I am happy for you that things are going better - you guys deserve it! Meme and Lila
I wish I knew what to tell you. about the food. I know my son would stop eating when he was teething. I hope that is all it is.
I'm here from NCLM, and went back and read some of the history. I am SOO happy that your boys are both home and healthy! :) That's such a blessing for you.
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