The baby could feed for an hour but still needs to eat. Than she eats again like an hour later. She's 4 weeks and gaining weight but not overly. Is it possible b/c she is not eating enough and thus her milk is more like water and thus the baby is not satisied when drinking the milk?
2006-11-17 11:33:41 · 18 answers · asked by GLOO 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Hi! Here's some thoughts:
1. The most reliable way to figure out if the baby is getting enough is tracking her diapers. Is she having 8-10 wet diapers per day and at least one dirty diaper? If so, they she is getting enough to eat.
2. Every baby is different when it comes to nursing. Especially this early on. She's still learning how to nurse "efficiently". I nursed my twins and one would be finished in 15 minutes and the other would be on for 30+ minutes. Both had the "right" number of wet/dirty diapers and had similiar weight gains.
3. Make sure she's getting enough calories each day. It's important to get about 300-500 extra calories per day when breastfeeding. Also, she should continue taking pre-natal vitamins. These things are not just for the baby but so that the baby isn't "stealing" important nutrients from the mother.
4. As long as the baby is gaining weight you're okay. If you're worried about the baby's weight see if your pediatricians office will let you come in for a weight check. If not, then I know in my area that there are lactation consultants that will charge as little as $5 for a weight check.
5. Babies at 4 weeks old will nurse alot - about every 2-3 hours.
Hope this helps!
2006-11-17 13:41:34 · answer #1 · answered by Ali D 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
No. Baby always comes first; when your wife's body is processing the food she eats the nutrients go to the milk first, then she gets everything left over. Babies always eat a lot in the first few weeks, too, so don't be alarmed if she seems like she eats all the time. The baby is fine, but if you (and your wife) are concerned about your wife's weight she should see a doctor and maybe get a referral to a nutritionist or dietitian.
2006-11-17 20:05:50 · answer #2 · answered by Dirtpuddle 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If mommy is healthy then her breast milk will be healthy. Generally breast milk looks thin like skim milk. Be sure that you wife gets plenty of rest and healthy foods. Baby will let you know if she is still hungry. At the baby's 1 month check up talk to your doctor about your concerns.
It is not a bad idea to suppliment with a soy formula and or rice cereal to help baby gain weight.
Some people don't like to mix breast feeding with formula, but if baby is still hungry and not growing then something needs to be added to help.
Good luck daddy!
2006-11-17 21:41:12 · answer #3 · answered by 90% of the time I am 68% right 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Breast fed babies tend to be hungrier more often than formula fed babies as breast milk is not as thick nor does it coat the stomach like formula. This is normal. But if the milk is still quite watery have her drink more milk and up her calorie intake. (nutritional foods mostly but she can still have some junk.) Lots of water will help the milk come in better. Good luck. I'd say after everyone's suggestions if they don't work you may want to try to supplement each breast feed with an ounce of formula to fill her tummy up but that breast milk no matter what is still the best for her.
2006-11-17 20:04:53 · answer #4 · answered by momofthreemiracles 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Babies at 4 weeks still need that amount of feeding. It is very normal.
Your wife's weight doesn't come into play with the quality of the milk.
Here is a link where you can find answers to many questions about breast feeding.
http://www.lalecheleague.org/NB/NBearlyweeks.html
2006-11-17 19:42:49 · answer #5 · answered by Laurie 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First of all why is your wife so thin after giving birth only 4 weeks ago?She needs to be eating healthy foods cause she needs the nutrients for herself not just the baby.And the baby is still to young for any kind of solid food. I would put the baby on formula and maybe get your wife some help for any eating disorder she may or may not have.By the way congratulations on the new baby!
2006-11-17 21:19:15 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Even severely malnourished mothers in 3rd world countries manage to nurse their babies. :-)
I'm about 5'2" and only ever break 100 lbs if I am pregnant. I have exclusively nursed three healthy babies and continued to nurse all of them well beyond the one year mark.
I'd need more details about weight gain and nursing patterns to expand, but check the links below and they should be helpful. Know that eating every hour is NORMAL for some babies this age.
BTW.....your wife's milk looks "watery" because she's not a cow. That's how it's supposed to look. :-)
2006-11-17 21:31:18 · answer #7 · answered by momma2mingbu 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Not so true in your statement. She is just not producing sufficient for your bay consumption. You should be pretty glad that she can have milk to feed. Some woman dont even produce even for a feed. Jus stay and eat healthily will do. If baby seems not enough, consult your doctor for powder milk supplement. I know of some whose babies never drink mother's milk before -- all the way powder milk. They are now grown up normally.
2006-11-17 20:02:04 · answer #8 · answered by dolphin 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Wow, that's so thin! If she doesn't eat and drink, then the baby will probably take any bit of nutrition that your wife has left that the baby didn't already take when she was pregnant. Is the Doctor concerned with her weight issue?
2006-11-17 20:04:25 · answer #9 · answered by latterdaylady 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
As long as your wife is eating heatly, and the baby is gaining weight,... I don't see a reason to worry.
Most babys eat like that at this age, especially ones that breastfeed.
Congrats and God BLess
2006-11-17 19:45:39 · answer #10 · answered by Rileigh's MOMMY! 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋