Why does my baby want to be breast fed every two hours is this normal?

Question

My baby is 5 weeks old and she wants to be fed every two hours, all I seem to do is be feeding all day and at night too, its really getting me down and I dont have time to do anything else. either she's asleep or at the breast. Im wondering whether i've got really weak milk and maybe shes not getting full, I just want to pack it all in and give her formula milk, but I've worked so hard for the last 5 weeks I dont want to just give in. She feeds for about 10 minutes on each breast every 1 and a half hours

Answer 1

What you are experiencing is very normal. You don't have "weak milk" but just a growing baby.

There are a lot of growth spurts very close together in the early weeks and they can make it seem like all you do is nurse. Common times for growth spurts are during the first few days at home and around 7-10 days, 2-3 weeks, 4-6 weeks, 3 months, 4 months, 6 months and 9 months (more or less).

Breastmilk digests in about 90 minutes, so in these early weeks it is completely normal to be feeding every two hours around the clock. That's what newborns do.

You said she goes 10 mins on each side at a feeding. Does SHE come off the breast and then you switch sides, or are YOU deciding when to switch her? Leave her on the first breast as long as possible. Don't switch breasts until she comes off the breast on her own. This will help her get more hindmilk which is the fatty, richer milk that is more filling. It could help her go a little longer between feedings. For the next feeding start with the breast that wasn't used or that she didn't nurse as long on. You can also try doing breast compressions to help her get to the hindmilk quicker.

After you get past the 6 week growth spurt, you will probably begin to see baby start to space feedings out some. There will be another growth spurt around 3 mos when you'll feel you do nothing but nurse for about 2-3 days. By 3 mos of age you'll probably see that she is nursing more like every 3 hours and maybe having one longer stretch of sleep.

You CAN do this. You may need to reprioritize a few things. When you have a newborn, don't expect to be keeping a perfect house or cooking gourmet meals. Figure out what things are essential and prioritize those to do first. Let some things slide or ask for help from hubby, family or friends. Try to keep the room that you nurse in the most often fairly neat so you aren't staring at a mess and feeling bad about it. Keep a list on the fridge of things that need done. When people drop over and say, "how can I help?" then point them to your list and ask them to pick something on it to do for you. Get a baby sling and wear her while you do housework. You'll be able to get more done, she'll feel content near you, and you can learn to nurse with her in the sling.

Cook crock pot meals or make double batches to freeze so you don't have to cook every night. Have hubby pick up take out or order a pizza once a week. Simplify meals.

Take naps with her when you can...sleep when the baby sleeps is an important trick to learn!

Take a shower before hubby leaves for work in the morning or before bed at night while he watches the baby for you.

Contact your local La Leche League Leader. She will help you for FREE and provide you with information and support. Talk to the other moms in the group about their experiences. It helps a lot to have other breastfeeding moms around you in real life.
http://www.lalecheleague.org

Answer 2

Hi there, it can take some women 6 weeks for their milk to fully come in. It can depend on what kind of delivery you have had. You have done wonderfully so far so stop a minute and give yourself a huge pat on the back.

Just some thoughts, if she's suddenly started doing this it could be a growth spurt and should therefore slow down again. If its been like this for a while then its possible that she's not getting to the hind milk and so she's not filling herself up as much as she might. Try feeding for up to 20 minutes on the same breast before switching her. Or maybe she's a sleepy feeder and so you need to make sure she stays awake long enough to take a full feed.

Maybe you are misinterpreting her cues and she's not hungry every time you think she is. She's still very little and its difficult to read a baby initially. Try doing other things with her first before putting her on the breast - cuddle, walk, change nappy, play etc.

I would advise against a supplement at this stage if you are determined to carry on as it will on have a detrimental effect on your milk supply. Make sure that you are eating well so you produce really fatty milk. Chocolate is also good for milk supply.

Good luck, you are doing a wonderful thing.

Answer 3

breast fed babies feed on demand, so dont worry. It is hard work, i did it with both my children, and all babies are different. My son wasn't too bad at 5 weeks, maybe every 3 hours, but my daughter, whew! Every 2 hours just like you! At least she isn't feeding for a really long time, and your milk must be fine as she only needs to feed for 20 minutes.i know how your feeling, but persevere, its worth it! Sometimes babies want to feed just for comfort, not for milk, but as she gets bigger, you'll soon realise which is which! I always knew because mine used to fall asleep 2 minutes after latching on-crafty! I was really tired too. Why dont you try expressing some milk, so your partner, if you have one, can feed and give you a break? or ask a friend during the day so you can have a nap. You'll get there in the end, good luck!

Answer 4

Five weeks old and feeding every two hours? Heavens, how normal is your child LOL! Yep, it's completely normal. Completely.

The biggest indicator of whether your child is getting enough nutrition is her weekly weight checks. Until the doctor tells you he or she is concerned about your baby's weight, your baby is getting what she needs.

Babies go through several growth spurts. Five weeks could easily be one of those. My first daughter literally nursed for almost 6 hours solid. I was so upset I was crying. I called the hospital lactation consultant at 3 am LOL and told her what was going on - she told me it was likely a growth spurt. I told her the baby wasn't getting any milk at this point and she told me that with every suckle my daughter made, my body was working on producing more milk. Sure enough, after my daughter finally stopped, just an hour and a half later my breasts were engorged LOL! She had a *feast* I tell ya!

Don't give in yet. Remember, if your daughter is gaining weight appropriately, your milk is not weak. This is something that every mother I've ever encountered has wondered at some point.

The growth spurts end. Your milk supply evens out when your daughter gets into a more regular pattern of eating. She will soon settle into a certain amount for a while, and your body will produce exactly what she needs.

Please don't "pack it in." When your child gets a few months older, you'll be absolutely amazed at how enjoyable feeding her is.

If you're really concerned, check out a La Leche League meeting in your area (or call a hospital lactation consultant). Another problem might be her latch. It's very easy to fix if you have someone knowledgeable and caring sitting with you while you feed teaching you ways to ensure she's on right. I had a wonderful lactation consultant who taught me about "fish lips." All I had to do was wait for her to latch, then reach to her bottom lip and pop it out a little bit so her two lips looked like little fish lips! Many times, babies will get the top lip right and the bottom lip will fall back in toward their tongue, since they have no teeth to "support" the bottom lip.

Give it another 4 weeks, and in the meantime get some face to face help. If in 4 weeks, she's not gaining weight or it's still just too difficult to do, then make the decision. you're only 5 weeks post-partum. From experience, I can tell you that this is just not the time to be making big decisions like this LOL! Not just because bf'ing is better in the long run health-wise, but b/c it's such a wonderful emotional thing after things settle down.

BF'ing releases endorphins into your system. I would almost fall asleep sometimes I would get so peaceful. I jokingly told my husband that if drug addicts knew how good bf'ing felt, they'd give up their habit and bf instead hehe!

I know it's tough right now, but give it a bit more time. Let your emotions and hormones re-adjust from the pregnancy and delivery and let your little one's body settle into a more regular pattern. Two hours is very normal for babies that age - in just a short time, she'll probably get to every 3 hours, then every 4.

It *does* get better. Just give it another month. If I'm wrong, you can "pack it in" knowing you did *everything* to try to make your feeding relationship work ;)

Congrats!

Answer 5

All I can suggest is that you eat and drink more, but really, what you are going through is normal.
My daughter did that, but I stuck at at and was able to feed her for 18 months- she stopped having breast milk last week.

It just takes a little more patience that you think that you have in you, but you can do it!

At five weeks, she is feeding a lot because she is growing a lot.
Don't worry, in the near future she will be playing more, leaving you more time in between breastfeeds. You are doing great! Keep up the good work!

Try to go out for a little walk if you can- do you have a breast pump? You could express from whatever side your baby isn't drinking from, then switch when she goes to the other breast- then that way, at the next feeding, you could hand her to a trusted person to give you a break.
Don't give up. In no time at all, you will look back on these days and wonder where the time went :)

Keep at it, don't give up.
Many of us have been in the same situation, it is possible to work through it.
Let yourself get sad occasionally, don't bottle up those emotions!
But remember to smile and look upon these early days with a loving heart. You will be chasing a one year old around before you know it!

Answer 6

TOTALLY NORMAL - you are doing great!

A baby should nurse every 2-3 hours for 8-10 feeding in a 24 hour period. When she nurses, do you feel the "letdown" - a tingly feeling in your breast means she is getting the hind milk. The baby will also seem to take longer draws on the breast.

Be sure to be drinking enough water. You can also take the herbal supplement FENUGREEK which will help keep your milk supply up.

All 5 week babies do is eat and sleep so you are on the right track. I know that the constant nursing is tough, but you are doing the BEST thing for your baby by breastfeeding her!

NO NEED TO GIVE BABY FORMULA!

Do you know any other breastfeeding moms that you can talk to for support?

mothering.com has a nice bulletin board with lots of support for breastfeeding.

Good luck and keep up the nursing!

Answer 7

I used to put my son in a front slung hammock and walk around whilst feeding him - it worked a treat. There is an old Welsh trick with a shawl so you can sling baby so that her head is on your breast but she is wrapped to your side - this works really well if you want to do work around the house.

You can express milk for some night feeds which can be give by cup and spoon by someone else so that you can catch up on sleep.

This is all quite normal - once you get into a pattern of not stopping every time and getting some rest at night you will be able to carry on to your hearts content.

Answer 8

Normal, yet very tiring. I understand you perfectly, but don't give up just yet. As long as you are eating healthy food, you milk quality will be good. You probably have a very hungry baby, my boy was like that from the beginning. If it gets too hard, don't get hard on yourself, start combining with formula so dad can occasionally feed him and give you a rest. Also try expressing milk when the baby falls asleep, so you have milk available when she wakes up. My baby first tasted solids at 9 weeks due to being extremely hungry, believe it or not

Answer 9

Your milk is fine, and she is definitely getting full. Babies digest breast milk in about 1 1/2 - 2 hours, that is why she is feeding so often. Just keep feeding your baby on demand. It sounds like you're doing a great job. Keep up the good work :)

Answer 10

As a pump can not do as good a job as the baby at getting available milk, I would continue to nurse him as much as possible. At 2 days old, he is trying to get whatever colostrum is there for him as well as encourage more milk to come. It is his job to nurse very frequently so that there will be enough milk for him. Your wife can try manually expressing a bit of colostrum and giving that on a spoon or in a small cup (alternative feeding methods) to see if that helps a bit. She should not expect a great deal, and will likely get just 1/4-1/2 teaspoon at a time. On day 2, we only expect 1-2 dirty diapers, each with a spot or stain quarter sized or larger. Remember, a "day" is 24 hours long, so if he had 2 dirty diapers last night, he's okay until tonight. Please also make sure that your wife is eating small amounts of protein frequently and making sure that she drinks to thirst. If she likes oatmeal or oatmeal cookies or granola bars, oats are known to help make milk.