three week old wants to eat every hour?

Question

My three week old is being breastfeed and wants to eat every hour to two hours even at night. I'm exasted and need sleep. I have actualy thought about quiting breatfeeding because I'm so tired. I also have a eight year old who was formula fed I don't remember him eating as often. I am realy trying to stick out this breatfeeding thing (It's got to get better right?) I know it is best for baby and me but he never seems to stay full for long. What is your personal experiance on this matter and what is the average age when they don't want to eat all the time?? HELP

Answer 1

I went though exactly the same thing with my son. I felt like I always had a boob out ;)! And breast feeding was a torment (I had mastitis twice.) What I found out after seeing a few different specialist is that he just wasn't getting enough. That is, I was not making enough milk. This is easy to figure out with a baby scale (like in the doctors office). Don't feed the baby for two hours, then weigh the baby. Then breast feed on one side and then weigh the baby, then breast feed on the other side, and then weigh the baby. The baby should gain at least 2 oz after each side (for a total of 4 oz.) If not than you may not be making enough milk so the baby is not getting enough milk. Ask your Doctor for a prescription for Domperidone (Motilium) as it can help increase milk production and use a breast pump after each feeding to cue your boby to produce more. It took a few weeks, but this really worked for me. Feel free to email me if you have anymore questions. I have lots of information on helping with low milk production.

Good Luck
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Answer 2

Your baby is probably going through a growth spurt, and I know it can be insane, but he's just starving all the time because he's growing so fast. Your older son didn't do this because formula takes longer to digest so he wasn't hungry as often.

You don't have to wean the baby unless you want to. If you have someone to look after your older son during the day, just crawl into bed and take the baby with you. Spend a day or two there and get caught up on your sleep. The baby can nurse on demand while you're resting. It may even build up your milk supply enough for you to pump and store some milk for later, when you need to be away from the baby, or for his dad to give it to him during the night so you can sleep.

If you can't do the bed thing, then it won't be the end of the world if you have to supplement your baby with formula once in a while. If the baby's dad can give him a bottle during the night, it will benefit everyone. You can get caught up on your sleep, your baby may sleep a little longer and can bond with his dad, your 8 year old will have a more energetic mom, and your baby's dad will get to know his new son.

Best wishes to you, I hope it works out.

Answer 3

I know exactly what you are going through, my little girl is 3 weeks old tomorrow, and she, too, is eating constantly. The best thing that you can do is sleep when you can (I feel like my day is me trying to nap or feeding a baby 24 hours) If you feel comfortable with it, try co-sleeping at night. Its not for everybody but in the first couple of weeks you will sleep more if you don't have to get out of bed and take care of the feeding and changing. I have the bassinet right by my bed and I can do it all without getting out of bed and waking completely up.
Keep with breastfeeding as long as you can, and at least for the first six weeks. It is hard and there are times when I want to pull my hair out when she wants to eat 45 minutes after the last time and I would like to spend 5 quiet minutes by myself or with my husband, but it will get better. Take pleasure in the little things (I actually got 2 and a half hours of uninterrupted sleep last night and I was ecstatic) and don't ever give your child water at this age. Not only is it empty of calories and nutrients which are vitally important at this stage of development, but too much can cause water intoxication and that can be seriously harm or even kill your child. Just keep at it and it will get better.

Answer 4

My son has jaundice, he's only 10 days old but is already eating 2 1/2 oz bottles of breastmilk. During the 3rd week they go through a growth spurt and again at 6 weks then at 3 months and again at 6 months. So during those times he'll probably eat tons more than normal!

Answer 5

The first 6 weeks are the hardest. At three weeks he is probably going through a growth spurt right now. He'll have another one around 6 weeks. Usually, after that, they do begin to space out some more between feedings and fall into a fairly predictable pattern between 6-12 weeks.

Have you tried doing breast compressions while nursing?
How long does he nurse in a session?
One or both breasts?

Answer 6

This is totally normal for breastfed babies. Mine did the same thing - I didn't sleep for months...

Just a suggestion - why don't you pump a bunch of milk, and let your partner or a friend feed your baby with a bottle while you sleep for a bit?



They say you shouldn't introduce a bottle until 6 weeks or so, becuase of "nipple confusion", but if this is really getting too difficult for you, it is better to do this than to give up breastfeeding all together.

DONT give your baby water. The baby needs the calories and nutrition in the milk and water gives him nothing. Any pediatrician will tell you not to give such a small baby water. I am surprised so many people are saying to do so!

Answer 7

Breastfeeding is better than formula. Three weeks is too early to wean. Also, in response to the first piece of advice do NOT give your baby water! This can cause jaundice in newborns.
How are you breastfeeding? Do you completely drain one breast before moving to another? Be sure that you do. Do not time your breasts; drain them fully. Your baby needs to get the nutrient/fat rich hind milk, which will make him feel fuller longer.
Are you certain that every cry is for food? Your baby will soon be old enough to cry for more than just a feed. He may simply want to be with you, to be cuddled and held.

Answer 8

My son was the same way when I was breastfeeding. He wanted to nurse about every hour to hour and a half, even at night. Formula fed babies do not eat as often ususally every 3 to 4 hours due to formula is harder to digest and breastmilk just runs right through those little guys.

Answer 9

I had the same problem with my son when I was breastfeeding him. It turned out to be that he was falling asleep before he was getting full, so naturally he was hungry sooner. Make sure that your baby stays awake while eating and that he pulls away when he wants to and not when he's just dozed off.

Answer 10

He is a moose like my son was try a Nuk. My son never took anything but me and ended up weighing a whopping 29 pounds at 6 months of age!!!!!!!!