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Newborn feeding round the clock

14 replies

kksm · 24/08/2013 10:13

Hi,

I became a mum for the first time 2 weeks ago today, and she's been a mostly very easy baby. My husband & I are worried about her behaviour as whenever she's awake, she seems to think its feeding time, even if she's just been fed half an hour previous. We have tried other things to try & comfort her, such as talking to her, singing to her and cuddling her but she just keeps sucking her hands and banging her head up & down off our shoulders ( indicating she wants food). It's very warm where we are at the moment, so perhaps she is dehydrated a little and so looking to feed more, but I'm afraid of over feeding her as she suffers from wind quite regularly ( as any newborn usually does!) and sometimes spits up a big chunk of her feed. She also has a bit of the sniffles at the moment, so I'm not sure if that's contributing to things.

She's breasted, a good feeder ( I have a good latch too), and tends to feed every 2-4 hours, but sometimes if she falls asleep at the end of the first breast, she'll wake 30 mins to an hour later looking for the second, so sometimes she's feeding 1 breast every hour, but for the most part, she's feeding every 2 hours the last few days, and I've been having to drag out the time between some of those feeds so she makes its to 2 hours. Any tips or advice would be appreciated, as I'm afraid that in starving her, and at the sane time I'm afraid I'm overfeeding her!

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Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
coco2303 · 24/08/2013 12:05

Hey
I have a 6 week old who was and sometimes still is exactly the same. Again I am breastfeeding and although I don't have advice for you as I am new to this aswell I wanted you to know you are not alone.

My lil one isn't like that everyday now but she can be like that averagely once a week now. Maybe someone can advise the pair of us lol

PinkPepper · 24/08/2013 12:21

You really can't over feed her

PinkPepper · 24/08/2013 12:22

In these early week she'll often want to feed lots to boost your supply, then often calms down a bit as she can get more at once. (Till the next spurt) if you try and put her off feeding your supply won't catch up with her demand

RememberingMyPFEs · 24/08/2013 12:34

You can't overdress a bf baby. My DD is 4 weeks old tomorrow and feeding about 16 times a day. It's hard and it tiring but they know what they are doing!

ImFineThankYou · 24/08/2013 12:36

Sounds completely normal. Put your feet up, feed and enjoy baby cuddles.

chocolatemartini · 24/08/2013 12:57

Yes completely normal. Many people don't realise newborns breastfeed all day if they're used to being around formula fed babies. Don't let anyone tell you you're overfeeding. Enjoy the cuddles and good luck!

superbabysmummy · 24/08/2013 17:02

Sounds completely normal, you can't over feed a baby so don't worry just chill & feed, feed, feed! Grin

sandberry · 24/08/2013 21:25

Totally normal! I've just been reading The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding which despite the terrible title is great for reminding you how breastfed babies behave and how often they feed!
Apparently the average in cultures where babies have free access to the breast is 2-4 times an hour, so even hourly is pretty good.
You can't overfeed her. Feeding her lots will make you plenty of milk, just enjoy the snuggles.

RubyrooUK · 24/08/2013 21:39

Completely normal! It sounds like you are doing a great job. It is very, very intense breastfeeding at the start while your baby builds up your milk supply but it does calm down a bit later on!

DS2 is five months old. He sometimes feeds every 1.5 hours, sometimes every three hours and today he was at a party and so distracted by all the activity that he didn't want a feed for nearly five hours. I was practically shoving the nipple in his mouth against his will by the end.

Oh and in general, if the baby is gaining weight and doesn't seem in pain once winded, the vomiting is pretty normal too. DS1 only vomited twice as a baby and went to hospital both times. DS2 liked to vomit virtually every feed and appeared happy with that. It did stop once he got a little bit older though (thank god...I was sick of changing my trousers Grin).

kksm · 25/08/2013 02:14

Thanks so much for the tips guys. I fed her completely on demand today and had a much happier, sleepier baby! Had to take her to the gp in the evening as she developed conjunctivitis out of nowhere, and wanted to get drops before the long weekend kicked in in case it got any worse but she doesn't seem to bothered by it at all!!!

Once again, thanks so much. Mumsnet is fab! :)

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ohforfoxsake · 25/08/2013 02:25

First 6 weeks should be spent feeding and gazing at your baby. It's absolutely normal and will do your supply good.

A squirt of breast milk into her eye will sort out the conjunctivitis (just aim and squeeze). Smile

AmandaCooper · 25/08/2013 06:51

I can't remember where this is from but I found it useful during those endless first days:

"A baby at the breast is getting their immune system developed, activating their thymus, staying warm, feeling safe from predators, having normal sleep patterns and wiring their brain, and (oh by the way) getting some food in the process."

BotBotticelli · 26/08/2013 13:33

YY that's a good tip about the conjunctivits...i never got drops from the doctor for my little boy as a new born, just squirted a bit of breast milk in his eye when they got all gacky and it healed them right up!

ImFineThankYou · 26/08/2013 14:41

Agree about bm in the eye. Literally use it for everything- scratches, cuts, cradlecap, sore skin. It heals things so well just squirt away!

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