Eat eat eat eat eat! - Infant Care (up to 18 months old) Message Board

lex jude · 10-01-2005, 12:24 PM

Ok I just wanted to see if anyone else went/is going through this as well...

I have a newborn who is about three and a half weeks old, and all he wants to do is eat!!

This morning I fed him four ounces @ 10:30, three @ noon and now he's still hungry @ 1:00!!!!!!! I can't even take a bath or eat or anything! Crazy! My doctor said to wait two and a half hours between feedings, but he is rooting BAD and crying......I cant let him lay there like that!

Btw he is formula fed.

Is this normal?

siren1024 · 10-01-2005, 12:28 PM

Very normal! 3 weeks is major growth spurt time! Both of my kids did that around that time, and they were breastfed at the time. But I remember the frustration. It feels like you can't get anything done cause you're always feeding the baby.

It should slow down a bit here in the next few weeks, then it will get alot better after about 8 weeks cause their tummies can hold more and they can go longer between feedings.

I am VERY against putting a newborn on a feeding schedule. They really don't overfeed themselves. I believe you have to let them recognize their own hunger/full signals by feeding them on demand. I know some docs who agree with me, and some docs who agree with yours. You do what you are comfortable with. I always fed mine when they cried. My kids are 2 years and 6 months, and ever since they were newborns, they wouldn't eat if they weren't truely hungry, and they still won't.

Good luck!

lex jude · 10-01-2005, 12:49 PM

Thank you so much for responding quickly

I feel much better now. I felt as if I was doing something wrong or I was overfeeding my baby.

I'll just have to hang in there for a few weeks....how did you manage? I don't really have anyone to help me. I guess laundry will have to wait lol.

Laur77 · 10-01-2005, 01:54 PM

Hi
I went through the exact same thing as you. From the time he was born my son was eating CONSTANTLY. And not just at the growth spurts, all the time. I don't agree with a schedule either, especially that young. I mean if they're hungry, they're hungry. They are the best indicator of when they should eat. They won't over-feed themselves. There is hope on the horizon...suddenly about a week ago his eating has settled down, and he will actually go a few hours between feedings. I know it seems never-ending now, but trust me I went through it and it does get better!!

Karen62705 · 10-01-2005, 06:52 PM

I also don't believe in the scheduled feedings, DS is 3 months old, and is still fed on demand. For the first 6 weeks I felt like I was constantly feeding him. And as far as how you get thru it.......it's very simple.......you just do!! You said it yourself "the Laundry can wait", SO can the cleaning, thank you cards, etc.

During the day my little guy will sometimes only go 2 hours, sometimes 4. But at night he goes to bed at 8pm and wakes at 5am for a bottle then back to sleep untill 745am. The best thing I did was start him on a bedtime routine from the start.....I call it the three B's Bath, Bottle,Bed. We put on Jammies and play music. He even puts himself to sleep, as I put him in his crib awake. So hang in there before you know it he'll be going longer, and then you can do the laundry.....