What should I do to help my baby stay full longer?

Question

My baby is not quite four weeks old yet. He feeds for a half hour on each side and i suppliment with formula, too. Even a few minutes later, he acts like he is hungry again but i am empty. I do not want to feed him too much formula but he always wants to eat!!! What should i do?

Answer 1

My son was the same way. The only way that I could get any rest or to have my son rest. At 3 weeks old, I gave him rice ceareal in his formula. I know the doctors say no, but we were both draining ourselves. Not alot, just enough to make it stick to his tummy. And too you may not be producing enough milk for him to get full. Try pumping and drawing in more milk. good luck

Answer 2

It's possible that he just enjoys the suckling sensation so he may benefit from a pacifier. Maybe he just finds the feeling of the nipple comforting? It's important to make sure he's gaining weight and growing before you decide to reduce formula feeds or nursing time. So definitely talk with your doctor about your son's feeding habits. He may also just be having a big old growth spurt so he's nursing more which will trigger your body to make enough milk. If that's the case, you should get in sync with each other soon. Good luck and enjoy your beautiful baby!

Answer 3

First of all, these tips about using pacifiers should be ignored. Pacifiers are the worst things to get babies hooked on, especially if you are having nursing/feeding problems. Not to mention the problems they can cause later with teeth. Both pediatricians we have had, plus a friend who is a lactation consultant told me as much. If your baby uses a pacifier (especially close to feeding time) his mouth will be too tired to suckle therefore, will fall asleep during feeding and will be hungry soon after. If your milk flow is a problem, the best thing to do is nurse baby as often as he needs it. Breast milk is based on supply and demand. Let him nurse as often as he wants/needs. Even if it is several times in the middle of the night. This will signal your body that baby needs more, and you should start producing more. Your baby is only 4 weeks old and his stomach is only about the size of a quarter. Expect him to be hungry and eat every couple of hours. If he is still hungry after nursing, you can supplement with formula, but remember to always nurse him first.

My son was not a good nurser, and I also had to supplement with formula. Turns out he was tongue-tied, so he was not able to suck very well, which did not provide the proper stimulation for enough breast milk. This can be checked by your pediatrician if you think he is having problems feeding or sucking. It can also be fixed by a simple out-patient procedure. You should also try contacting La Leche League for info on common breast feeding problems. Giving cereal, by the way, to babies younger than 5 or 6 months old is not a good idea. No matter what people tell you. There is a reason pediatricians across the country tell you to only feed formula or breast milk until 6 months of age. Anything else is just too complicated for the baby's digestive system and will cause sleep problems and fussiness. Besides, if you need to increase your milk supply, you want baby to be hungry more often, so you want him to nurse more often. Cereal will make him too full to nurse. If you give him cereal, you will be shooting yourself in the foot. Remember, your baby is only 4 weeks old. The first 3-4 months are the hardest. Until baby is able to eat more and sleep through the night, you and he will just have to figure out what works. There is nothing wrong with formula, but breast milk is the best. Try exploring options of increasing your milk supply by contacting La Leche Leage or a lactation consultant, or ask your pediatrician. A good source are the books, "What to expect" series. Try reading books by doctors and other professionals. "What to Expect the First Year" was a great help to me with all of my kids. Good luck to you and baby!!

Answer 4

Try a Pacifier for one. It may be that he wants to suck, not that hes hungry. If that doesnt solve the problem, you may want to try to start giving him a little bit of baby cereal mixed with formula. I dont mean make it thick, keep it real liquidy. The cereal will help fill his stomach more and for longer. Right before bed time would be a good time and then later in the mornings also

Answer 5

When my son was his age he was the same way and my cotor told me to buy a small bottle with an oragne juice nipple and as mix of formula and cereal in it. Not real thick at first but just enough to make him happy. My sopn was sooo much happier and muchj fuller once he had some real food in him. Some people say he is too young for cereal but not asll babies r alike!

Answer 6

if hes not actually taking any formula or breastmilk at each feeding try a pacifier. babies suckle to comfort themselves. my son used to make the suckling motion al the time and cry as though hungry, fussing and all. i started using a pacifier and that seemed to keep some of the rush to feed down.

Answer 7

well when my son was hungry i fed him. Have you tried a pacifier? Talk to your pediatrion if you are worried. I always felt drained after nursing. The more you nurse the more milk you produce so it may be instead of doing formula try nursing again, he may just like to be near you, in that case try a pacifier.

Answer 8

Try something else. Distract him from the feedings for a while, by talking, or singing to him. Play with him. He might need something other than to eat again. You don't want to always be giving him food when you haven't tried other things.

Answer 9

Is he actually eating each time or does he eat quite a bit and then maybe only nurse for a little bit, cuz my son did that and it was just because nursing was comforting to him not because he was actually hungry.

Answer 10

At this age, he might just want something to suck on. Try using a pacifier that is shaped more like the breast, like a Soothie! They are used by the hospitals for newborns! Hang in there!