No Sleep!! 2 week old baby

[Hanlou]

My baby is 13 days old and we think he is having a growth spurt but he will not settle for any kind of sleep for the last two nights and days. This is my first baby and losing confidence fast, i need sleep but the baby constantly wants milk. I am breast feeding but it doesn't seem enough for him. Should I use formula or stick with it. just soo tired!! Hope you can help me out there

This could be one for your HV. Is he latching on properly when he feeds? Can you see him gulping? Is he gaining weight? Your story reminds me of my friend who thought her very unsettled (read 'screaming blue murder') baby was feeding OK but who turned out to have been using the nipple as a comforter. Don't know if that is applicable.

There's nothing wrong with trying a bottle of formula. If he became instantly settled afterwards and slept like a log it could point to a feeding issue. If it made no difference then you'd look at other reasons.

Good luck

Thanks Chil1234. The HV is coming next Wednesday. I may try the formula route just to see what happens. He's gaining weight and and latching on well but does tend to use me a comforter. Fingers crossed for the next few days. Thanks again.

I would post on the BF/Bottle feeding pages for advice.

Babies who are that young often do need milk 'all the time' - it settles down.

Yes get your latch checked but also be aware that it does feel like your milk isn't enough but it is, they are just stimulating your supply by feeding regularly. I know it's hard though. Sounds normal behaviour to me though.

Giving formula is one route but if you want to continue BFing, it might not be the one you want to follow. Sometimes babies will gulp down a bottle of formula and settle afterwards but that is sometimes because they are so full of milk. They have little control over how much they take and so just keep gulping - they are then stuffed and often sleep.

Plus it's normal for them to use you as a comforter - what's wrong with comforting your baby anyway? I know it's hard though but honestly it will settle down.

When you say 'constantly' are you talking every 2 hours, 1 hour, 30 minutes? Some people find using a dummy between feeds helps.