Newborn feeding question?

Question

I have a six day old and at during the first few days I was breastfeeding and everything was fine and then my baby seemed like he wasn't getting enough milk. I would nurse for almost two hours until my hubby finally fed him formula and he settled down. I kept trying to breastfeed and it just seems like he is not satisfied has this happened to anyone and how did you deal with it?

I almost feel guilty because I really wanted to breastfeed but I also want the best for my baby and I know I don't want him to starve. Thanks in advance for your answers.

I went to a lactation consultant and my milk supply is fine he latches on fine and he does look healthy. He lost aboout 4 ounces in the two days after was born which his doctor said was normal. Since then his weight has been checked again and he has not gone up. His diaper count is fine and so is his color. He's still hungry after about two hours of nursing and only formula satisfies him. I've never heard about anything like this please help

Answer 1

First of all congratulations on your new baby. Thank you also for being such a concerned and mindful parent.

My advice to you is that you should keep at it, it will take almost 2-3 weeks before your baby will get the hang of it. I think you are reducing your chance of success with breatsfeeding if you supplement with formula. Breastmilk is by far the best for your little one. Did your baby suck continously for 2 hours or did he suck and doze off?

As long as your baby is producing dirty diapers, you don't have to worry that you are starving him. He will let you know when he is hungry or when he just wants to snuggle. It is difficult to grasp to let the baby be the judge of his intake. I am a parent of a 4.5 and 2.5 and I nursed both of them until they were 13 months old and with both of them I worried whether they were getting enough.

Also know that you baby will feed every 2 hours until he is about 2.5 -3 months and after that he will regularize his need to every four hours. Also know that babies will tend to try to get most of their calories early on in the day rather than later.

To increase supply pump between feedings and make sure he feeds off of both breasts. Switch sides with every feeding... if he feeds off left at 8am then start him of on the right at the next feeding.

Good luck and have fun with your baby, you have made a wise decision to breastfeed.

Answer 2

You do NOT have to give up. Like that other person said, you can talk to the lactation nurse at your local hospital. There are so many things they can do to help you. Good for you for wanting the best for your child and looking for soloutions rather than giving up. If for some reason you are not able to nurse at all, dont feel guilty if you did everything you could. Hang in there, there is most likely a soloution to whatever the problem is.

PS- Sorry that no one told you this, but its totally normal for a baby to need to eat every 1 or 2 hours for at least the first month of life. Its also normal for it to take a LONG time to feed your baby for the first while, until you, baby, and your milk supply adjust. Dont worry, soon, breastfeeding will soon be a 10 or 15 minute job, and only every few hours or so. Unless your child has a growth spurt, which happens every 2 or 3 months typically, and then you are back to the feedings every 2 hours. Just go with the flow, it will be a pain for at least a month, and then you will both find your groove. But remember... needing to eat every 2 hours IS A VERY NORMAL NEWBORN THING. Oh, and drinking LOTS of water is VERY important for you to do.

Answer 3

Just keep at it. It takes time for your milk flow to become established to your babie's feeding needs. It takes 6 weeks for your milk supply to fully establish and if you start to give up now and give a bottle you will reduce how much milk you produce. The more you breastfeed, the more your body will make. Your milk probably only just came in a couple of days ago, so it takes time. Just keep feeding your baby by your breast. If you have to pump your milk to encourage a healthy supply and when you are unsure if your baby is satisfied you can give some of the pumped milk. The problem with many women and breatfeeding is that they give up to quickly. Breastfeed is not always easy, and both you and the baby are learning how to nurse. Just keep at it, what you are doing is both great for you and the baby.Gas can also be a problem in newborns as well as colic, which can affect feeding. Sometimes a baby will want to keep nursing for comfort, not just for food and will act fussy because they are full, but want to keep drinking, so you could also try a pacifier once you are done feeding. Once you milk supply is more established it won't take as long to feed your baby either.

If you have a WIC in the area, they have breast feeding consultants there that can assist you for free, they can show you what to do, and how to pump.

Answer 4

I am a FIRM believer in breastfeeding your baby, however, your little one just does not seem interested. If you truly believe your baby is not getting enough food and follow those mother instincts. I would try pumping every other hour and feeding your baby bottled breast milk (still put him on your breast so he knows and remembers the feeling) and the +++ is that you will train your body to express more milk more often then after a about 2 weeks of pumping put him back on the breast and see if he starts to get more milk. Nursing your baby is hard work for him and you keep trying I promise you will both get it!!! he is only 6 days old GOOD LUCK!!!

Answer 5

* Are you going through a stressful situation? Stress definitely affects your infant and it can affect your milk supply.
* Be sure that you are not eating a lot of onions or garlic because that can really turn baby off.
* I know this is a personal question, but could the size of your breasts have anything to do with it? What I am saying is that if they are particularly large, he may just be having a problem......um.....coping. I couldn't think of a better word.
* Increase Milk Supply Our diet has a lot to do with milk production or the lack thereof. Doctors never suggest herbs to increase milk supply, yet it is the most natural and least harmful way.
Red Raspberry Tea (tastes great and good for woman's body)
Brewer's Yeast- 3-4 tablets daily (may cause gas at first)
Concentrated Alfalfa-3-4 capsules daily (available at Walmart)
Marshmallow Tea-drink warm as often as desired, or 2 capsules 3 or 4 times daily.
Blessed Thistle Tea
NOTE: SAGE and PARSLEY dry up milk if taken in therapeutic doses.
* One option that you have before giving up altogether is pumping. You could pump your milk, freeze it, and feed it to him in a bottle. He will still get the nutrients that you would otherwise pass on to him.

If you have more questions, or would like to know where to find these products, feel free to EMAIL ME. I want to help in any way that I can. I love to see women (and babies) succeed in breastfeeding.

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE:
I have two daughters.
Daughter one nursed until 16 months old (now 3 yrs old)
Daughter two is still nursing (15 months old)

Answer 6

It takes a bit of time getting used to, you should be careful with breast feeding because you can't monitor how much they eat. I hear there is a differance between the two, as far as "being full" is. I think the formula is made so it is "heartier" or thicker to the stomach. You could try feeding him breast milk for "X" amount of time and then give him the formula. You could also try switching breasts and see how that results, if you haven't done so already.

I think breast feeding is still best for your child, but if you are concerned consult your doctor on the next check up.

Answer 7

Just keep going as you are going...nursing can be a lot of work in the beginning...i would nurse for as long as he likes...AS OFTEN as he likes...just keep putting him back on the breast...when you need a break...give maybe an ounce of formula....his stomach is the size of a marble right now! you will get through this...if the LC said the latch was good ...thats all that matters...good latch, nurse often, and take care of yourself! drink as much water as you did when pregnant...eat whatever you want, and stay in bed ....learning to nurse lying down would be a great idea right about now. As long as you have to change diapers, your baby isnt starving!

Answer 8

Call the local hospital...they have lactation consultants and they can help you with the breastfeeding...maybe your supply isn't enough for the baby. Keep trying...don't give up. Try pumping to get it going. My milk took a week before it came in and I had to supplement with formula. After the milk came in he wouldn't touch a bottle.

Answer 9

First of all you need to relax. The baby can feel the tension and this causes him to stress out too. Some women produce more milk than others. You milk supply should still be there, remember they don't need much as their tummies are tiny. He may have had wind, so put him over your shoulder and pat him until he burps, then try again. Don't forget to alternate each breast at the next feed. Good luck, it brings back memories for me.

Answer 10

Great Moms have big hearts.

When babies are sucking the burn calories. Do not allow him to nurse for over twenty minute, longer than that he is burning more calories than he is taking. Try feeding him more often, and increasing the amount of water you drink. The more water you drink the easier it is for the breast to store the milk close to the nipple so that he can work less. If you continue to have difficulty ask you OB-GYN and or Pediatrician for a LeLetci (sp?) League Club, they give free breast feeding classes.