Greedy 7 week old

[Laura1609]

My DS is 7 weeks now and is the greediest baby going! He’s EBF and has always pretty much fed every hour, every so often there might be a day when he stretches to two hours and he’ll generally give me a 3-4 hour stretch of sleep when he’s first down but then I’m up with him every 1-2 hours in the night. He’s gaining weight, lots of wet and dirty nappies and HV just tells me it’s normal but all I hear from other people around me is “oh mine never fed that often”. His feeds generally last 15-35 mins so I’m sure it’s long enough for him to be getting the fatty milk to satiate him.

He’s also suffered terribly with wind since birth and we’ve tried Infacol to no avail and he’s on gripe water and tummy massage now but he’s so uncomfortable on his back and will scream (and I mean scream) until he’s on me and generally the only way to soothe him is to put him on the boob. As you can tell I’m tired, confused, hoping this will change imminently and wondering if anyone else has experience of it.

6-8 weeks is prime growth spurt time. Perfectly normal. It will pass.

That sounds normal, it will get easier as he gets older. My DS used to have much longer feeds, but he's been on the 95 centile the whole time. Just make sure you offer both sides and don't take them off the boob before he himself is ready to (sometimes it looks like they've fallen asleep, when they might just take longer breaks between sucking). Breast milk goes through very quickly, so it's normal for a baby that young to feed very often. The lack of sleep us really hard, but it won't last forever!

Totally normal! Mine was the same without the 3-4 stretch - he fed every 2 hours and cluster fed all evening until about 12weeks. You're doing a great job!

7 week old babies aren't greedy His stomach is still tiny, it is as you've heard completely normal for them to need to refill it little and often. They go through so many growth spurts and might feed more often for a few days, or might sleep more for a few days, and breastfeeding is about more than just food, it's their comfort too and they understandably want to be close to you.

Google the fourth trimester and have a read. And try cosleeping if you haven't already, it's the best way to get more sleep for everyone when done safely and properly.

Other than that if baby is gaining weight well and has the appropriate amount of wet and dirty nappies just set yourself up in bed or on the couch with Netflix etc and water, snacks and enjoy the rest while he feeds.

Normal. Hang in there. Things always get easier around 12 weeks in my experience.

Yes totally normal- lots of mums I found tended to exaggerate how much sleep / rest they were getting at the start.

Mine was 1-2 hourly for several months and has only just started going longer to 3 hours from 8 months.

That sounds normal. I then began feeding him religiously every 2 hours in the day (sometimes every 90 mins) to tank him up and the 3-4 hour stretch became a 5-6 hour stretch which was much better. Also I made sure I went to bed as soon as he did.

Have you tried a dummy? If he is over feeding and just suckling for comfort it can make him windy. Try a dummy between feeds, you can always take it away after the 3-4 month mark when it's less needed.

Having said this, around 8 weeks was a big turning point for getting longer stretches of night time sleep for me (until the 4 month regression hit, sigh), but we were still feeding every 2 hours in the day time probably until we started weaning.

Thanks for much for everybody's speedy replies. So reassuring to know that it’s normal. This early stage is tough isn’t it?! I should just enjoy the breastfeeding cuddles I get with the little man, just makes getting out of the house even more of a military operation when he decides he absolutely MUST feed immediately before we leave!

I’m going to go against the grain and say it sounds like silent reflux to me. My DS had it; he fed constantly. He got upset 45-60 minutes after feeding (particularly if put on his back). He had a cry like no other baby i’d heard. He made grumbly, grunty noises when he slept.

If this is ringing bells see your GP. DS got put on infant Gaviscon and omeprazole and was a different baby. He was content between feeds for a few hours and the awful crying stopped. Also try holding him upright for 30 minutes after a feed. This used to help DS digest the milk without it coming back into his gullet and then he would settle for longer.

Best wishes op. It’s a draining time.

Not worth trying to go far in the first 3 months. Some cultures have a tradition that the new mum doesn't go anywhere or do anything for the first 100 days because of looking after a tiny baby.

He's not greedy! A 7 week old baby can't be, they're acting on instinct.

If he's unusually windy get him checked for tongue tie and your latch checked and if those things are both good it's worth thinking about what you're eating. Lots of babies suffer bad wind if you eat a lot of onions but it could also be an intolerance to cow's milk protein in things you eat or drink. Other allergies also obviously possible.

He could have silent reflux - does he dislike lying flat?

If he's in discomfort he may be feeding to ease his digestive or other internal pain, as it's what works best.

Tongue tie is often missed - it's worth getting a second opinion. My first was born in the UK and her tongue tie was missed because she was putting on weight due to feeding so much and to me having over supply - she barely had to suck - she had a poor latch due to tongue tie though making her windy, and she had silent reflux - couldn't lie her down flat without screaming. It got better once she could roll and then get herself to sitting, both of which she thankfully learned early!

Good luck, don't attribute adult motivation to a baby though, they don't think like adults.

Thanks @anothernotherone, I was using the term “greedy” more in a tongue in cheek way. I know that babies act on instinct. Tongue tie and latch have both been checked by a lactation consultant and both are fine.

@Sleepinglemon I mentioned my concerns to my GP at our 6 week check and suggested reflux but she was very dismissive of it, like most of the GPs I’ve ever seen, just keen to get you out of the room and onto the next patient. I think if his discomfort with wind persists into next week I’ll push to get an appointment and hopefully see another doctor.

I'm another one thinking that if he is feeding often and doesn't like being on his back, it could be reflux and he's feeding for comfort.

Try a dummy and don't lie him flat.

I can one who fed, sick, fed more, sick on repeat. I think she fed for comfort and to maybe help reflux. If he's keeping it all down though he probably is just hungry.

I hate to add to the “it’s normal” chorus - but it’s normal. He can’t be greedy. Babies this age have no wants that aren’t needs. Things should start to settle down soon. Hang in there!

Normal. My DD was the same. She went from 3,160 kgs at birth to 12 kgs at one year old, she was huge. Now, at 8yo, she is extremely tall and thin, so I think all that eating fueled her height. She continued eating a lot and often as a toddler as well, I remember going everywhere with pots of food.

It could be perfectly normal but it's definitely worth getting him checked for tongue tie, especially as he's windy