Our baby girl is only 4 and half months old. We only breastfeed her, sometimes only water as addition. Now, she is not interesting in eating. i.e. She sucks for a few seconds then just wants to suck her fingers.
Why is that? Will it harm her growing? and how we should do?
many thanks
2007-01-08 12:40:19 · 11 answers · asked by xplorefantasy 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
She may be teething. Sucking is uncomfortable sometimes when they are teething. It's not uncommon for babies to not eat much for several days. They know how much they need to eat. I bottle fed my baby and I remember there were several different times when she would not drink more than 3 or 4 ounces all day but my pediatrician told me not to worry because she was healthy and gaining weight. So, as long as she is healthy, I would not worry, but if you want to be certain, just ask your doctor.
Good Luck!
2007-01-08 12:47:50 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
It really depends on how long this goes on. All children have times when they aren't interested in food and may not be feeling well. She may be starting to cut teeth. Yeah, so maybe you should do as she wants for a few days but if she stops all together she needs to see her Dr. In the meantime watch for fever or any other signs of illness. The hands in the mouth is a new thing and maybe she is just slowing down. Use good judgement. She needs fluids and some nourishment to live. She may cut down on the feedings but feed more during the session. That is good. You can't be under her all the time, some people would think..oh Great! So use judgement and go from there. Good luck.
2007-01-08 20:52:22 · answer #2 · answered by MISS-MARY 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cut out the water for a while and check to make sure she is having enough wet diapers, that way you will know she is still getting enough. Babies also go through growth spurts and quieter times when their appetites adjust. She is also at an age where is is becoming more aware of her surroundings and sometimes while breastfeeding her view is only of you. Perhaps you can change the position you are holding her when feeding so she can look around a little more, or try reading aloud to her while she is nursing to get her attention back to the task at hand.
2007-01-08 20:50:44 · answer #3 · answered by knittinmama 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Personally I wouldn't offer any water. I had a scary experience with my son when he was about that age. Rather than doing his usualy sucking the water out of the bottle and spitting it out he drank about 4 oz. He had really bad diarhea for about 12 hours.
If she is willing to latch on she probably isn't having a nursing strike. I would leave her be. She will eat when she is hungry. However, just in case, try doing some breast massage and expressing a little milk before you feed her so as soon as she latches on she gets milk. That way if she is just being impatient about waiting for your milk to let down she should drink as it is right there waiting.
Check this out too:
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/concerns/baby/back-to-breast.html
2007-01-08 20:50:18 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Have you seen a Lactation Consultant or a La Leche League Leader? (A LLL Leader will help for FREE and might be able to visit you at home.) http://WWW.LLL.ORG
Get advice from other breastfeeding moms at the LLL forums http://forums.llli.org/index.php
1st-quit giving her water. she doesn't need it. She will get all the water she needs from breastmilk.
Now-why is she not eating? at her age, could be teething, could be mom got her period (this changes the taste of the milk), or she could just be distracted, babies this age are becoming more aware of their surroundings, try nursing in a quiet, dimmly lit room alone with baby (no dad, no TV, ect) and see if this helps
Baby might just be getting better at empting the breast. If she has at least 6 wet diapers every day and is still gaining weight--she should be fine.
Your local health department would be happy to weigh her for you!
HTH--congrats on your baby!
2007-01-08 20:50:50 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Stop the water. A baby does not need any extra water. The water only fills their stomach so they will not eat as much and it does not offer any calories that the baby needs. You may see an increase in the feeding amount once you stop the water.
2007-01-08 21:42:30 · answer #6 · answered by gummygrins 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First of all, no water. She doesn't need it. If mom has started her period lately then the milk might taste different right now. In the meantime I would just keep trying to breastfeed. She may not be hungry. If she is weaning herself off then it's time to start formula. It is hard for us to know how much milk our babies are getting so maybe you are underestimating the amount she is actually taking.
2007-01-08 20:48:40 · answer #7 · answered by BCMEDIC 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Perhaps she isn't hungry? She could just be getting enough not to need to eat as often. As long as she is gaining weight don't worry. If not then have her see the doctor. Good luck
2007-01-08 20:46:11 · answer #8 · answered by Mrs. Always Right 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Maybe she is teething.
Try giving her Hyland's Teething Tablets or something cold to chew on prior to offering to nurse.
2007-01-08 20:47:59 · answer #9 · answered by momma2mingbu 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
She may be teething or otherwise just not hungry. Unless she is losing weight I wouldn't worry. Also- babies do not need water.. ever.
2007-01-08 20:47:16 · answer #10 · answered by iampatsajak 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋