3 month old is always hungry

[Alligatorpie]

My dd will be 3 months next week and has been showing signs of wanting solids since about 6 weeks. She nurses, non stop. She has doubled her birthweight, she watches us eat and looks at me with sad eyes when I don't give her any.
I know it is too early to wean her, and I would really rather not introduce solids until she is at least five months.
Has anyone else been through this. DH has suggested formula but I am worried about it affecting my milk supply or her deciding she doesn't want to nurse after having a bottle.
Any advice - thanks!

At that age they'll watch you do everything, she doesn't know that what you're doing is eating. My DD breastfed every hour through the day at that age and was clusterfeeding in the evenings for 6hrs every night. All she needs is your milk. Your supply will keep up with her demand, that's how your boobs work. Just keep breastfeeding her when she shows her hunger cues. You're doing a great job, and she's obviously thriving on your milk, why change it? Also the signs that a baby is ready for weaning are they can sit up independently, they can pick something up and put it directly in their mouth and they've lost the tongue thrust reflex. These signs usually all happen around 6 months and the other reason to wait until then is that their gut is not mature enough to deal with anything other than breastmilk or formula. It sounds like what you're doing is working, why fix something that isn't broke :)

Alli from what you describe I doubt very much if she is hungry. When you say she nurses all the time, how long does she take to feed and how long do the feeds last?

As for watching what you do, does she watch you load the washer and put your make up on too? It just sounds like normal baby behaviour.

It is too early to wean her. Early weaning can cause some problems, including increased risk of allergies. There is some good information on starting solids on the NHS website, including signs that they are ready.

You are right about the formula, it will affect your supply and may not help. Have a read of will offerings solids or formula help my baby sleep better?.

I know that DH probably is trying to help but does he know about the Virgin Gut? Has he read Why Delay Solids?. There are lots of things that he can do to help that will support your choice to bf. My DH used to do the baths and if DD was cluster feeding in the evening and I was flagging, we would wrap her up, stick her in the pushchair and he would take her out for a walk. She would sleep quite happily there, but often wouldn't settle for me.

Let us know about the frequency of feeding and see if we can offer any more help .

x-posted with fhdl34.

Nursing non stop is so so normal. I can guarantee she has NOT been showing signs of wanting solids from 6 weeks. Have yiou any breastfeeding support at all? To me it sounds that that is what is overwhelmingly needed here. There is nothing wrong with your baby, she is not 'sad' when you won't give her food.

Was going to come back on and say the same as ffff. Do you mix with any other bfing Mums or go to any Bfing Support Groups? Even just going along to your local NCT group can help, where there is usually a mix of bfers, mix feeders and ff.

There is a list of some bfing support groups here.

Thanks for all the info. I know she isn't ready for solids - i have no intention of weaning before 5-6 months. And I am not concerned about breastfeeding, just want to make sure she is getting what she needs. Thanks for the reminder about sitting up and the tongue reflex - I completely forgot about that part. I nursed my dd1 for 2 and a half years, but that was six years ago and I have forgotten so much! and dd1 never nursed like this!
I live overseas and don't speak the local language, but that kind of thing doesn't exist here anyway. I did take dd2 to the doctor today for her injections and the dr says she is doing great, so i guess i need to chill out. As a pp said - if it's not broke don't fix it!