Baby is ALWAYS hungry. - Infant Care (up to 18 months old) Message Board

ament · 02-04-2007, 04:15 PM

I don't know what's wrong with my 9 day old daughter. It started last night when I fed her three times in a row. She'll sleep for a few minutes, then wake up and want to be fed again. Last night I thought she was sick, but she had no fever and seemed to only want to nurse (I called the pediatrician, who never returned my call but that's a different story). I'm wondering if I even have enough of a milk supply to do it. I've heard of cluster feeding, but this feels really excessive. It seems she spends more time nursing than sleeping.

sobannon · 02-04-2007, 05:50 PM

It could be comfort nursing. She is not really looking for the milk, just the closeness to mom and to ease that need to suck.

Amy

bxr35 · 02-04-2007, 07:33 PM

It could also be a growth spurt. In the first three weeks, there are three or four growth spurts, when the baby nurses what seems like around the clock for two-four days. They can run into each other, so it seems like the baby is nursing constantly for a week.

If your baby is falling asleep contentedly and then waking up again to nurse, it is probably not a supply problem. The frequent nursing during a growth spurt is designed to increase your milk supply to support a bigger baby -- I know my son gained more than a pound in 5 days during a growth spurt, and then he takes more calories to support.

Please do not give up yet. If you are concerned about supply, make sure you see a doctor soon for a weigh-in. At two weeks, she should be back to her birth weight or a little over. If she hasn't reached her birth weight yet, you should give it another week and go in for another weigh-in -- if she's not gained weight from her last visit, then you need to talk to a lactation consultant and maybe pump.

Breastfeeding is incredibly important to a baby's health and proper development. Some women can't do it, but don't give up at 9 days!

dizzygirl · 02-05-2007, 12:07 PM

At nine days, she's just either wanting to suck, or having a growth spurt. When they are that little, it seems like one big nursing marathon. Don't give up, or stress out, everything's okay.

BioAdoptMom3 · 02-05-2007, 07:29 PM

Try a different sleeping place or position if she is flat on her back, as most babies do not sleep well like that and will wake often, wanting comfort, usually through nursing or feeding. Try one of the following and I can almost guarantee you will notice a big diffrerence for the better:

Swaddle her tightly.
Prop her on her side.
Let her sleep on her tummy if you are comfortable with it.
Put the carseat in the crib and let her sleep there, with the headrest included.
Let her sleep in her swing with the headrest included.
Let her sleep in her bouncy.
During the day wear a sling and let her sleep there.

Nancy