I have a newborn babyboy (3 weeks) and all of a sudden went to eating every 2 hrs to every hr. is this OK?

Question

he was born 9lbs 2 oz. 23 inches. he now weighs over 10lbs. so far he seems to be healthy. but by the time he finishes eating and being burped, he hungry again. is this normal? I read that he is going through a growth spurt, but he is ALWAYS hungry. I know he is eating becuase his diapers are 4-6 peed, and 3-4 pooped a day.

Answer 1

He's fine. Just going through a spurt. It's nerve wracking on a new mom when that baby can't just tell you what's going on!

If you're breastfeeding, just continue at this point to nurse on demand. He's getting enough as long as he is going through diapers and gaining weight. There's no need to supplement with formula unless the doctor tells you that he's having a problem and needs it.

It will slow down, I promise. Some days are harder than others.

If you are breastfeeding, try taking him off halfway through, burping him, and then switching him to the other side.

Answer 2

Are you breastfeeding? Breastmilk digests in about 90 minutes. It's normal to still be feeding a 3 week old every 2 hours around the clock. Babies have growth spurts at about 10 days, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, 6 weeks and 3 mos. These are periods where he will be eating almost constantly for about 2-3 days. Remember that he has to double his birth weight by 6 months! You'd be eating all the time too if you needed to double your weight in 6 months!

Answer 3

Babies usually have a growth spurt at about 2-3 weeks and also around 6 weeks. My baby is going through the same thing. She is 4 weeks and it seems like she eats all day long. I have had to supplement breastfeeding with a little formula because she has been eating so much.

Answer 4

Yup, it's normal. I have two girls; one ate for ten minutes every 11/2 to 2 hours or so, more during her growth spurts (which seemed to happen all the time), and the other one eats for no more than 3 or 4 minutes every 1 to 11/2 hours. I started both on solids right around 4 months to quell what seemed to be their constant hunger.

Answer 5

I was in a similar situation. My newborn just turned two weeks old this past Saturday. Last Friday he had a doctor appointment where he weighed 8 pounds 1 ounce. He was born 7 pounds 7 ounces.

During the night he eats about every three to four hours but like your son during the day he can eat sometimes from every hour to every four hours, it varies each day. I told the doctor this Friday and she said when he is eating every hour that we do not want that and that he is just snacking. She said try making him mad(i.e. tickling his feet, rubbing his belly, letting him cry while you make his bottle, etc.) She said the madder he gets the more awake he will be and will eat more and last longer in between feedings. So far it seems to have worked.

I have a two year old daughter, and I told her that I do not remember her doing this when she was a baby. She said boys grow faster than girls and it is natural for them to eat a lot.

I hope I have helped. If you have any more questions I would try consulting the pediatrician. Good Luck!

Answer 6

Congrats on your new baby!

This is pretty normal. Babies do go through growth spurts and seem like they eat constantly! If you're breastfeeding, you might be concerned that he's getting enough to eat, but as long as he is having enough wet diapers, he's fine.

It can be exhausting for you to keep up with it though, so don't be afraid to accept help from other people, and sleep whenever you can! One of the best things you can do for your baby is to take good care of yourself.

Answer 7

First if all, congratulations. He may not be getting enough breast milk at each feeding. It's hard to measure when it's from the breast. You may need to start pumping it off and filling bottles so that you can check each feeding properly. I had so much trouble with my first child, that I couldn't continue to breastfeed. With such a good weight gain, it seems like he's getting plenty. Maybe he's just getting spoiled to being held while eating. If he takes a pacifier, maybe it would be good for him to suck on it for awhile right after he eats. Maybe give him some cereal mixed in with his milk. My niece just went through this with her son. He's turning 9 months next week. He ate at least every 2 hours. She was going crazy. He was alittle spoiled to being with mom all the time. Once she went back to work, it was horrible on him, and her to be seperated. He adjusted just fine. He is a BIG baby. His dad is short but weighs about 200lbs. The size of man is going to be, could be part of what is going on. Just wait until he turns 14 or 15! My oldest son eats me out of house and home!! Just take it slow and do the best that you can. Good luck!

Answer 8

It's ok. Don't worry about weight gain now. It's normal for your baby to want to eat all the time/ My daughter sis the same thing. Feed him when he's hungry. He'll get on a better schedule as he gets older.

Answer 9

Every child is different and it sounds to me like he was a big boy at birth. My oldest was on pablum at the same age as your little guy. Sometimes they just need that little extra bit. It may be difficult for him to get the concept of a spoon right now maybe try putting some in a bottle and cut the nipple a bit. If he is not on a pacifier it could very well be the sucking sensation he is looking for and not actually more food. There is a couple of ideas for you and don't worry he sounds perfectly healthy.
Good Luck!

Answer 10

All infants go through serious feeding frenzys right around the time they are going through growth spurts. He is fine once his growth spurt is over his eating will slow down again until the next one. All four of my kids went through these marathon feedings.....