Newborn feeding issues?

Question

My baby is a little over a week old. I have to wake her up to eat and she will only eat on 1 breast at a time. I try to feed her every 2-3 hours but a lot of times she wont feed for 5-6 hours. She doesn't ever cry to let me know she is hungry. Is this normal?

Answer 1

Never wake a sleeping baby. She knows if she's getting enough to eat, and when she wants to eat. Consider yourself so very lucky to have a child that's so mild as yours. She's probably getting more than you think she is. And every week will bring something new. Her eating habits will change constantly, as will her sleep patterns. Sounds like you're getting some sleep......so lucky you are! With my son who is now 2 months and 2 weeks old I hardly got any sleep for the first month. By 2 months he is now sleeping 10 hours at night and 5 during the day. He eats every 4 hours 7oz. I gladly love the 10 hours of rest I get now!! So imagine if she's didn't sleep at all!!! Not only are you lucky to have her (which I am sure you already know that!) but you're also so lucky to have a mild child! And congrats on your newborn!!!!!!!!

Answer 2

I agree with not waking her to feed her IF she is healthy and gaining weight. You should try letting her let you know when she's hungry for a week or so, then take her to be weighed.
Pump the breast she doesn't nurse from at each feeding, she may not be very hungry now, but you'll want to keep up your milk supply for later. I'd advise freezing your milk, it really comes in handy when you are trying to go back to work further down the road. Even if it just gives you a night out further down the road, you'll need it sometime.
I believe you can also donate breast milk, if you don't plan to ever give your baby a bottle.

Answer 3

Is she jaundiced at all? That can make babies sleepy and hard to "get going." My daughter was jaundiced and was a slow nurser at first. I woke her up every few hours to nurse and would tickle the back of her neck, her toes, etc., to help keep her awake.

Is she making enough wet/poopy diapers? That's the best way to tell if she's nursing enough. 8-12 cloth diapers a day or 6-8 disposable diapers is normal during the first couple of months. If she's in that range, then she's nursing just fine on her own schedule. If not, then she might need a little jump starting (i.e. you waking her up the way you have been) until she gains a little more weight and starts being more alert.

Good luck and keep up the good work, mama! Breast is best. :-)

Answer 4

When my baby was born, She didn't eat hardly anything for the first 2 days and the lactation specialist told me that it was normal and that babies eat only when they are hungry. Some babies don't need to eat every 2-3 hours but some do. My daughter ate about every 4-5 hours and would only wake up once in the night to eat. If it worries you, call your pediatrician but I think your baby is fine.

Answer 5

You suggested you started supplementing with formulation approximately 2 weeks in the past and the subject started each and every week in the past.... may be the formulation or something you're eating making him gassy. If he's feeling uncomfortable interior the tummy he would devour much less at a time. attempt no longer giving the formulation first. then see what you're eating, if it reasons you gas it may be doing an analogous to him. yet another component... if little ones nostril is stuffy this would each and every so often ensue on account it is paintings to devour or if his mouth continues to be sore

Answer 6

Every baby's attitudes are different. Some are just calmer than others. As long as she is easily arousable and eats well it shouldn't be a problem. I would still check with your baby's doctor. Could be something with the breast milk and it wouldn't hurt to just be safe.

Answer 7

they tried to tell me to feed my son every three hours too. but after a week, we were both so exhausted and frustrated, I decided to let him decide the schedule... things got much better. he ate more at each sitting, and if there was a big break, I had time to pump a little bit in case he wanted a really BIG feast, usually while we were eating... good luck

Answer 8

you are only supposed to feed one breast at a time, and your not giving her a chance to get hungrey if you are feeding her often even if you wait 5 hours she still might be over full from the last time.

Answer 9

Every baby is different.... Don't wake her she will let you know when she is hungry. Check with your Doctor to make you feel more comfortable.

Answer 10

babies eat on demand... just let her go as she needs it. trust me, if you let her go she will cry for it. as long as she is gaining healthy weight I dont think you have anything to worry about. my daughter was the same way.