Not a 1St Time Mom, but Sometimes I Feel like I Am

He might not be hungry at all...he might just need to suck more. Some babies are just that way, especially a preemie. My #2 baby was like that. She was a breastfed baby wanting to eat...or so I thought constantly. She was wearing me out. She wasn't even a big baby. I gave her a pacifier and my life totally changed! You might give that a try instead of trying to give him solids. He is too young for all that food...especially being a preemie. I think a pacifier would be worth a try. good luck!

My first thought would be that he's gearing up for a long stretch of sleeping and not eating at night. You can try the solids if your dr says to, but based on my babies, they ate so often, but suddenly, it went from two to three to four hours between feedings. Could it be that he's eating even though he isn't really hungry all those times? Maybe he just wants comfort- teething, etc. He might smooth out this next month. Four months is still teeny, so give it a bit more time!

I would certainly investigate if you think there are more issues causing his crying and screaming, but six bottles a day (every 2 hrs during the day)sounds very 'normal' to me...

My daughter was an early baby also and was nursing every 2-3 hours well past 6 months and only slept about 4-6 hours at night before eating again.

Maybe your little guy is 'stocking-up' during the day for his long nights...

A couple things you said reminded me exactly of my daughter (who is now 2). She was born 5 weeks early so she was classified as a preemie. She would cry for hours and hours and basically beg for a bottle. Turns out she had 2 things going on. She had reflux really bad. The begging/demanding bottles was because drinking it soothed her. She was put on Zantac at 12 weeks and within a week we had a different baby. She did not eat as often and she turned into the happiest kid. Turned out she was just in pain.

The other thing was the rice cereal. SHE HATED IT. Turns out she just hated it. Her doctor said it happens sometimes and he told me to try baby oatmeal (still a single grain so he said it was just a substitute for the rice) and to start her on veggies. This was all before 16 weeks and you know what, she loved it. She just hated the rice. It also helped get her reflux under control as we added solids into her diet and we were able to stop her medicine about 8 months.

Good luck, I know it is hard.

Is he breast feed??? Maybe your milk isn't thick enough to fill. You may have to supplement. Or if hes formula feed maybe he needs a pacifier? or maybe he is going through a growth spurt. Ask the dr.

Most babies, especially preemies, aren't ready for solids until they are sitting up and showing other signs of feeding themselves readiness. I think your problem is that he's starved after sleeping so many hours at night.

Just to know... my non-preemie at apx 20oz every 2 hours until he was almost 10 months old. He NEEDED the nutrition in milk & formula. Because he was growing FAST. (We're nordic, so grow big and grow fast... but preemies have the same problem, because they have sooooo much catching up to do).

Think about it... they're doubling their size on a regular basis. Imagine the MOUNTAINS of food you'd have to eat to double your weight in 3-6 months. Table food just isn't adequate. Rice cereal is just quick sugar (carbs) not super crammed with proteins, fats, sugar, minerals, & vitamins.

I'd skip the table food for another 3-6 months and give him the nutritionally milk or formula he's obviously craving.

Also... look into "feeding on demand". Sounds like you're mostly doing it naturally, but knowing all the reasons and benefits behind it will probably bring you a lot of comfort.

Try putting the rice ceral in his bottles it always worked with my kids, but you have to get the nipples with the larger holes. He will be more satisfied and not as irritated. Some babies just dont like the rice ceral from a spoon, I think it must be a texture thing, a spoon in the mouth can be a shocking experince compared to a nice soft nipple. No baby food until he is 6 months old, doctor will tell you that too. Each child you have is different just like each pregnacy. I have 3 kids and all three are completely different, some similarites but very minor. Good Luck, life changes a lot with 2, pure choas after 3.

Omg Dee I can totally relate about kids being total opposites.. Em was bad in the beginning because she had colic, but after about her 3rd or 4th month, she was soo easy (now that I look back) ... Sammy is COMPLETELY opposite! Its amazing how 2 kids from the same parents can be so totally different! I still feel like a 1st time mom with Sammy, even though I have Emily! lol Its crazy..
Sammy was also like that when she was an infant...She wanted to eat every 2 stinkin hours, but it was smaller amounts..She wouldn't take more than like 4 ounces at a time for nothing. After having Emily and Sammy so opposite i just can't imagine what this 3rd lil girl will be like! I'm scared, lol!