Constanty Breastfeeding

Hi J.
Your baby is just shy of a month and they go through spurts when they want to nurse alot and then spurts when there is little interest. I nursed 4 children (1 I nursed until she was 2 years old and the other 3 I nursed for 13 months each). They nurse more when they are going through a growth period and a little less when they are not. Your son is in a growth period.

Also I tend to find that babies take the pacy at different stages, one of my doctors said I should give it starting in the hospital. I did for one child and she took it well. My other girl would not take it until she was about a month and only after trying almost every brand. Then after she took it she rejected it once she turned 10 months. My two boys varied as well. My older son took the pacy, but always perferred to be on the breast. He would fall asleep with it half way out of his mouth and then wake up when I moved it. My youngest boy loved the pacy and up until 15 months would not give it up with out a serious battle..'-) I let me kids have the pacy longer if they wanted it because taking them off the breast at 13 months and then off the pacy at the same time seemed cruel to me.
Don't worry about over feeding, alot of time my kids would nurse every hour, even during the night. Your doctor will tell you if the baby is not getting enough milk because his weight will be down. It all sounds very normal to me, but with the pacy buy every brand in the store and see which one he likes, my kids always liked the NUK. Yet, I know parents whose kids didn't. Try it and see!
Good luck

I had the same problem with my first daughter. I basically felt like a human pacifier. Lots of times that is it. If it has only been for the last two days though, I swear babies go through growth spirts where they eat like crazy for a few days then go back to "normal" As long as baby is growning fine and gaining weight like normal your milk is fine.

Good luck

Does your baby fall asleep when you breastfeed? This is the BIGGEST mistake I made with my first, but corrected it with my 2&3 kids. My 1st ate every 2 hrs. for the first 3 months and then went to every 3 hrs. but he ALWAYS fell asleep while nursing and I would try to wake him but nothing worked...a wonderful nurse showed me with my 2nd child to pluck/flick the bottom of the baby's foot a couple/few times. They don't like it and it gets them back awake to finish nursing. Hope this help.

Hi J.!

Congrats on the new baby - I have a two month old that I've been solely breastfeeding and according to our pediatrician, the best way to ensure nutrition is to let them feed on demand, which means all day every day if the baby wants it! That being said, you should make sure that your baby is not "snacking and snoozing," which can wear both of you out. We were instructed to keep the baby awake for a minimum of ten minutes on each side for the first month of his life to teach good breastfeeding habits.

You should be able to tell if he is not sucking on your nipple, if you can't tell, it's definitely worth the time and money to see a lactation consultant! Inova Alexandria offers breastfeeding / latch clinics for five dollars a session, and they are very informational.

Unless baby is losing weight, you are feeding him plenty, and growth spurts occur frequently at such a young age that may alter his feeding patterns for a couple of days.

Good Luck!
D.

Hi!
I have a 5 and 2 year-old. Yes, it is pretty normal that they want to nurse "all the time", especially when they are so young. It will get better soon.
My problem was - that sometimes I simply "forgot" to drink enough water - so make sure to drink a LOT of water!!!!!
Also, your baby does not want to suck on a pacifier because it's a different sucking technique. It can also only interfere with nursing because it's confusing the baby. All this I have read in many baby-books.
You must be very tired - but give it time and your baby will get in a better rhythm.
B. L.

Call your pediatrician and a breast feeding consultant. I think it all sounds very normal, but if you're have production concerns, just go straight to the experts on this one since you're baby is so young. They will get you the advice you need. It does sound normal from my experience, but he's so little. Good luck.

you might be the pacifier. two of my breastfeeders were very picky about the type of pacifier nipple. they would not suck on the latex or the sloped ones.

I had the same problem with my baby who is now 3 1/2 months. At 6 weeks we were up to feeding him every 1 15min., so I started supplementing with formula. He now, and since then, eats every 2 hours.
My dr suggested having someone else feed our baby, when possible, b/c they smell you and want to eat just b/c of that. It's a comfort thing as well!
Also, try to get in at least 2500 calories day, I know, it's hard to do b/c all you're doing is nursing. I had the same problem. Definitely try pumping and having someone else feed him and see how he does.
This is def normal! It does get better, once you learn how to fill his belly a little more.
Good Luck!

If your breasts are full when he starts and empty as he feeds, he's getting enough. Babies grow through growth spurts too during the first year, so there will be periods when he'll eat a lot for about a week then taper off to normal feedings. I'd wait a few days.

My then infant always seemed to be on the breast during growth spurts. It doesn't last for very long.

~L.
www.accesspilates.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/businesssavvymoms/

Call your OB and get the number for your local Lactation consultant or contact a place like La Leche. They should be able to help.

Be patient. My daughter was the same way and now she is three months old. She eats every 3-4 hours now. And sleeps in the afternoon for 3-4 hours. My lactation consultant told me that your body provides enough milk as the child needs and will increase as they grow. Hope this helps :)

Hi, there. I just had to respond when you said that you were afraid that you were overfeeding your son when you are breastfeeding. Not possible. I have raised and breastfed all 5 of my children, now aged 8 to 25 (yes, indeed). Breast feeding is a little like supply and demand. When your child feeds longer or more often, it "tells" the breasts to produce more milk--or milk, more often. I hope that makes sense. I actually would be very surprised if 3 1/2 week old baby were not breastfeeding every 1 to 2 hours or 4 hours at the most between feedings. Breast milk is thinner than formula and that's why babies need to feed more often. Every few weeks or so your milk production will probably increase and you will see this in your baby as weight gain. Hope it helps.

I had same issue with my son who is now 4 months old. First of all, recommend you make an appt with a lactation consultant. I used http://www.northernvirginialactation.com/ Well worth the money! I followed her advice exactly and had my son on a 3 hour feeding schedule the next day!
Your milk doesn't completely come in until 4-6 weeks. Following their advice, I nursed my son every 3 hours for total of 20 mins alternating every 5 mins on each breast to keep him alert. Then we supplemented with breast milk or formula in bottle (approx. 3 oz based on his weight at the time). My husband usually gave him the bottle. Following feeding, I pumped with a rented hospital grade pump for 15-20 mins after each feeding to stimulate my breasts and encourage my milk to come in fully. It's time consuming to pump so often, but my milk fully came in at 4 weeks. Hope this helps!

I breastfed both my dds (4 and 14 months). I think my milk came in faster with the younger one. The first six weeks are rough, but after that, it should taper off some. I had to start my youngest on solids at four months because she was still eating constantly.

Sounds like your son is doing well. I know constant breastfeeding is rough. Are you able to get enough sleep? I know impossible with a new baby! LOL. Being well rested can help loads.

Congratulations!

I am having the same experience, though I know for certain I am making enough milk. My son will not take a pacifier either and he is definately using the breast as a pacifier, when I notice he is doing this, I take him off and have him fall asleep in my arms versus on the breast or I talk to him or put him in his swing...depends on his mood!
I am having a problem getting him to sleep by himself. Not that I really want him to, but during the day when I need to get things done, it would be great to have him nap on his own. Right now I have to carry him around with me in order for him to stay asleep...any advice here?

Hi there.

AHHH I remember these times.... with a breath of relief that they no longer occur! The truth is, this is perfectly normal and its GREAT that youre feeding on demand. Demand feeding is proven (research and all) to be the optimal feeding in terms of growth and emotional develpoment. Dont worry about him being 'overfed'. Unless youre sticking a funnel down his throat its impossible to overfeed a baby. Babies know what they need in terms of food and eat accordingly. And feel confident that youre producing enough milk. If youre not, he'll increase your supply by suckling more.

Two hours between feedings at night is perfectly normal for the next few months.

Dont worry. Being a new mom is demanding, tiring and challenging. Feel confident in the dynamic that you two have is the most natural and that you really dont need to do anything special for a baby. I know we live in a society with many approaches to regulate and control children in terms of eating, sleeping, crying, etc. However what truly works best is nothing more simple than paying attention to what he needs now (he will let you now) and try to balance that with your own life.

Good luck and remember that youre doing a great thing by breastfeeding. Be good to yourself and try to relax as much as you can.

If you are going through about 12 diapers a day he is getting enough! Are you drinking enough and eating good foods, staying away from caffeine? Taking vitamins and eating good protein? You need to drink a glass full of water everytime you nurse. My daughter wanted to suck all the time, so the passy was a must. Babies do go through growing spurts and will nurse more from time to time.
If you over fed, he'd probably throw up, no worries!!!
If he is gaining weight, he is getting enough. It takes babies a while to get used of being outside the womb, be patient!!!

Please, don't worry. Breastfeeding infants feed all the time, it's just what they do. I have two boys 5 and 6 mo. I nursed my first son for 2 1/2 years and am still nuring my little one. They just need to eat very frequently. Breastmilk is so easily digested it goes right through their little systems. Also all babies hit a little growth spurt at your baby's age so that's another reason. You'll notice as your baby gets older that he will go through phases with this. You can bet that if he starts nursing voraciously he's growth spurting. Just keep an eye on his weight gain. That will let you know if he's getting enough. You can also keep track of wet and dirty diapers. He should be having several of each every day. Another method I used to make sure my boys were getting enough is to check if they were hydrated well enough. To check this feel his skin for any dryness, look at his eyes to see if they are nice and shiny, his mouth should be nice and moist and feel the fontanel (soft spot) on top of his head, it shouldn't be too sunken in. You should be able to feel that it's there, but if it starts to feel like it's caving in, I'd call his doctor to have him checked out. I hope this helps and good for you on breastfeeding. Hang in there, it gets better very soon.

I had the same problem with my son at that age. If he is eating constantly because your milk doesn't have enough calories in it, that may cause him to be in a constant state of being hungry (this was my problem). After a few weeks, my son was still crying all the time because he was hungry, and actually LOST a pound, but all the nursing in the world didn't seem to satisfy him.

As hard as it was, I began to supplement with formula and after his first bottle, he slept for the longest spurt yet, then awoke with a smile on his face! I still breastfed for a while, but about a month later, my milk dried up (which happens when you start supplementing).

If you have to stop, don't feel discouraged! Medicine has given us wonderful options for the health of our children, and taking advantage when necessary gives you a much healthier, happier child in the long run!

Hi J. P.,

My son nursed everyday and all day for the first few months. He was absolutely non-stop. I never paid much attention to time in between feedings. When he cried, I nursed him. We had this on-demand kind of schedule going. Hours, smours...lol!

Your son is nursing so often because the milk is so easy for him to digest so it runs right through him. So naturally, he keeps wanting more (not to mention how comforting it is to him).

It's normal to be weary of milk production. I tell you, everytime anything was slightly off with my son, I was quick to blame it on my milk. Give yourself a break from the guilt trips. It's so fabulous that you're nursing. Rest assured that you are producing enough milk if he's regular wetting diapers and growing accordingly. I'm not sure you can overfeed a baby that is nursed, so no worries there.

Best of luck to you!

Still nursing (and often) :)

Two words...growth spurt. My daughter at one point was feeding every 1.5 hrs. Your baby will grow out of it. But, it will most likely happen again at 3 mos, and 6 mos.

He could also be going through a growth spurt. They like to feed a lot more when this happens. It could last for a few days, but will taper off. If he's not spitting up a lot, you're not overfeeding him. This sounds like the same thing my son did around 3 weeks. It's tough and seems like you just put him down and he wants to eat again. Hang in there... it will pass. If it doesn't in a week, then you might want to talk to a lactation specialist. Check with your pediatrician's office. Mine has a couple on staff. Good Luck!

When my daughter was first born, she seemingly nursed constantly.

The more frequently the baby nurses, the more stimulation your breasts get and the more milk you produce.

Sounds like breastfeeding is going quite well.

Breastfed babies don't overeat, they will only eat if they are hungry.

Congratulations on your new baby. It doesn't sound like you have anything to worry about.