Rooting reflex?

Question

Will my daughter (and for that matter all newborns) use their rooting reflex even if they are not hungry?

I am breastfeeding and my 3 week old has been eating LITERALLY every 20-30 minutes since yesterday (though thank goodness she slept during the night). But she is rooting constantly and the only thing that appeases her is to be eating!!

Could it be a growth spurt? I don't know if they have them at 3 weeks of age. My milk supply seems to be fine. I am adamant about not supplementing, but I am drained, literally!

Note: she refuses a pacifier! she will not even suck her thumb or fingers! she only wants my nipple.

And she knows when it is me holding her and will cry harder to be fed. but my hubby works 10 hrs a day so I am the only one to hold her.

Well for the record Jellybean is a di*k, and I don't know the point of answering questions if you're not going to at least TRY to be serious.

Secondly, I really think Yahoo! should have a breastfeeding forum ~ just wanted to go on record.

Thanks for all your answers!

Answer 1

Yes, there is a growth spurt around 3 weeks of age.

When she nurses, how long does she stay on the breast? One or both sides? Is she actively nursing the whole time or is some of it just comfort sucking?

Have you tried doing breast compressions to help her get more hindmilk?

EDITED TO ADD:
DO NOT give a 3 week old ANY water. The ONLY thing she should be getting is breastmilk or formula. Breasmilk is mostly water! She doesn't need extra fluids besides that. AND water will fill her tummy up with empty calories....she needs breastmilk so she can grow! PLUS giving water to a baby this age can actually be DANGEROUS.

Answer 2

Some babies are soothed most by nursing, and this could be about comfort, but I suspect she is honestly hungry. The more she nurses, the more your supply should increase to keep up w/ demand. Keep up those fluids! I started three years ago w/ my son and am about to ween my daughter as her second birthday approaches. I would guess this will ease up as your supply catches up w/ her as mine did the first time...my son was almost 10 lbs and a big eater! If you have doubts, though, call your hospital's lactation consultant and ask questions or schedule a coaching session. I had so many doubts, etc. when I started. Meeting with the consultant was a free part of my postpartum care and made a huge difference to my confidence level. They may check your technique, your babies weight gain since birth, etc. I bet you're doing great. Good Luck!

Answer 3

Yes this is normal. Babies around 3 or 4 weeks cluster feed to get the milk supply up for a growth spurt around 5 or 6 weeks. Both my babies did this, and would literally feed every 1/2 hour to every hour. Cluster feedings are instinctive, just trust that your baby knows what it's doing. If you're baby is rooting, chances are it wants to nurse. Mine only did that when they were hungry. Hope this helps

Answer 4

Young babies nurse a lot. I remember my baby wanting to nurse all the time as I believed in nursing on demand. Though he is now 25, I remember trying to do housework at 3 a.m.

I starting using a front baby carrier so I could nurse him and get things done.

I nursed him until he was 4 and it was the best time of my life. I look back with the fondest memories. This will pass.

I remember that I was so tired and frustrated with his constant desire to nurse and root, but then I laid out two yardsticks end to end, and they equaled 72 inches about the average span of a person's life. I marked off 2 inches and then just looked at it.

I realized this 2 inches (first two years) was such a small portion of his life and even the 1 1/2 foot on it that represented my time to have him with me at home was so small. This put things into perspective and gave me new resolve to give my son my best while he needed me.

Never in your life will any human need you the way your baby does,,,noone can take your place. Baby is forming an attachment to a living person instead of an object.

Giving selflessly to your child will teach you so much and fullfill you as a women in a way you haven't experienced. Your child will come to love you unconditionally as you meet their needs...again such a rare thing.

Remember also that breastmilk is so perfectly assimilated and digested that the babies stomach soon empties and they are genuiely hungry and in distress.

Later the time will space out more, but it will never be every 4 hours like some bottlefeed kids. But they aren't getting a 10-15 IQ boost and less lifelong fat cells as a gift compliments of mom and her precious breastmilk.

Also as a former el ed teacher who studied child psychology, Piaget says the ages 0-2 are when a child learns trust vs. mistrust. When you lovingly fed your child when they request it, putting their needs first, you are teaching your child to trust people which also has lifelong benefits.

Practice the family bed (go to mothering.com and read their magazine) for more informatin. Put the baby in bed (you won't roll on her). When she wakes up, put the breast in their mouth and go back to sleep while they nurse so you are getting your rests and take naps if you can.

Also get involved in your local la Leche League group..this is so beneficial and such a support and palce of knowledge and excellent role models.

Answer 5

That sounds totally like a growth spurt, and your babe is about the right age. My advice?

Sit down on the couch. Get comfy pillows and snacks and drinks. Put on some good movies/tv and just relax to the inevitable- sit around topless and just let that baby nurse! :) Leave the housework and whatever else you're trying to do... it'll wait.

This is your baby's way of ramping up your supply; it's not your baby asking for things she doesn't need. It sucks (no pun intended) but it'll pass.

Answer 6

You are doing the right thing. Follow your instincts. I know I went through a period where I felt 'touched out' and drained.

It will get easier. I promise.

Keep feeding on demand, babies are all instinct and needs at this point. She is telling the breast to up milk production, that way she won't outgrow supply.

Keep in mind that Everyone's storage and supply is different, and she may need to eat a little more often than other's babies.

Hang in there mama, you're going to get through this, and you are doing great!

Answer 7

Yes the rooting reflex is natural to all babies anytime anything touches thier check they will try to find it with thier mouth. I would suggest to get a different pacifer they make some that are more the the nipple.

Answer 8

Try keeping her to the breast a little longer to see if she will eat more. You can also try a pacifier to see if she is actually hungry or just needs comfort of sucking.

Answer 9

I read in this book that i have that babies have growth spurts around 3 weeks...maybe she's having a growth spurt...

Answer 10

try different pacifiers. with my son, it seemed all i did was feed him and sleep around the clock until I found one he liked!