My seven week old only seems to want to eat on one breast in one sitting and then wants to eat again within the next hour to hour and a half. The only way I can get her to eat more and keep her sastified longer is to pump and give her milk through the bottle. Should I just keep on pumping and feeding her that way. I've tried everything, like burping and then offering her the other side or taking her off the breast early and trying to put her on the other side and she still refuses. She'll only eat for 5-7 minutes! Help!
2007-02-09 13:23:54 · 8 answers · asked by andreakb1 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Your baby is normal. Babies have very small stomachs, and breastmilk is VERY gentle and easy to digest. Don't compare your baby's eating patterns to that of a formula-fed baby, who will eat less often. My babies both only ate for 5-7 minutes per feeding at that age, and they still thrived such that they were off the charts. Some babies are just more efficient "suckers". I do not recommend pumping if you do not have to (such as returning to work), as this could severely affect your supply. Pumps cannot extract milk as efficiently as a baby can, and your body will begin to produce less milk. You could also cause nipple confusion (bottle nipples work differently than breast nipples). You are better off letting your baby eat when he wants and for as long as he wants at this age, since you never know when he is going through a growth spurt (6 weeks was the biggest growth spurt either of my kids ever had, that's when the shot off the charts). Just feed your baby and let her eat for as long as she wants on either side. If you take her off early, she may not get the "hindmilk", which is a different kind of milk and only comes in at the end of a feeding. Your baby is operating on instinct when it comes to eating at this age, so you should trust her instincts and let her eat how and when she wants.
Feel free to email me with any questions you might have with breastfeeding, anytime!
Good luck!
2007-02-09 15:42:32 · answer #1 · answered by calliope_13731 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
With my son I had to let him go longer. Or, he'd want to munch on the same boob all the time. It got to the point were even my mom noticed my one boob was huge and the other was shrinking!! LOL.
I just let him go a full three hours before feeding him. Of course, if he got that hungry cry or the look (I'm sure you know) I'd feed him. But, I had to make him wait in order to eat. Usually by then he was hungry enough to eat from both.
If it were me I'd nix the bottles. That only caused both of us problems. My son would refuse my breast and gulp the bottle. It really made breastfeeding hard. It could also be the beginning of a nursing strike. Where they refuse the breast because it's easier to get milk from the bottle or they just like the nipple on the bottle better.
When my son went through these I'd forgo the bottle for the day all he was offered was the breast. Eventually he'd give in. But, this time around (due in June) I'll forgo all the bottles...in fact I've already got them ready to be packed and hidden by my husband ;)
2007-02-09 13:35:57 · answer #2 · answered by Baby #3 due 10/13/09 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is recommended to have your baby drink as much as she can on one side before switching to the other side. At first the milk contains a lot of "lactase" then after a few minutes, it contains more fat and that is what is more satisfying for your baby. It is not digested as fast as the lactase. Lactase is almost like drinking water. Let her drink as long as she wants on one side and after 2-3 hours, she'll drink on the other side.
For some babies, 5-7 minutes is plenty to get all they need.
If she wants you after 1 hour and only drinks a couple minutes, it might be that she only needs to be close to you and be reassured. If it only takes a couple minute of your time, why not give it to her and be happy about it. Another solution could be to try getting her used to a pacifier. You would know then if she really is hungry.
2007-02-09 13:58:30 · answer #3 · answered by Mahdy 1 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Some babies like to be fed from one breast only. Mine had a favorite - the right one ! And i ended up using a pump for the left one. Its ok. As long as you keep feeding her.
Sometimes.....
1) Its just a matter of positioning. Don't we like to sleep on one particular side of the bed?! Its just that she might be comfortable with one way of being held in your arms or the snoopy pillow( if you are using that.)
2)The nipple(breast) is clogged and the baby does not want to work harder to suck ! Its natural so stay calm.
3)Its nature! My baby loved to play. She was ( still is) very active. After taking her milk for 5-10minutes, she felt full and just wanted to play ! I had to sit in my room with lights all dimmed and sang to her so she could peacefully take her milk until she was REALLY full!
I am sure you are taking all the right measures/rules while storing your pumped milk. All moms are smart.........basic instinct i guess:-) And you are too!
Congratulations! God Bless!
2007-02-09 13:44:18 · answer #4 · answered by saint 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
This is an entirely normal pattern for a newborn. Her stomach is tiny, so she needs to eat frequently. Plus, she could be going through a growth spurt and need the calories. Watch the baby, not the clock and know that "this too shall pass." I would encourage you to invest in a sling or baby wrap that allows you to nurse and hold her at the same time. This way she can nurse as much as she wants and you can get a few things done yourself!
2007-02-09 13:51:05 · answer #5 · answered by LAmama 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Have you tried breast compression? I wonder if she is getting frustrated when the flow slows. It really sounds like she just needs very small frequent meals. Get a sling and learn how to nurse baby in the sling. I would take baby into bed at night (learn how to babyproof your bed first). That has solved almost every breastfeeding problem I've had (and I've had them all). Try these sites:
www.askdrsears.com
www.lalecheleague.org
Have patience and lose the bottle. You can do it!
2007-02-09 15:15:54 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
This sounds like a normal eating pattern for a newborn. You can try to put her on a schedule. Distract the baby for 30 minutes to make it to 2 hours. But I would just say to let her eat if she is hungry, with time she will eat more and less often. just be patient
2007-02-09 13:32:39 · answer #7 · answered by Natalia D 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Are you pumping for artwork? If the newborn is nursing, enable them to stay to tell the story one area for lots of the feeding, then they are going to confirm to get the hindmilk that's extra fatty, comparable is going for pumping. Pump on the different area whilst infant nurses. A new child's abdomen is relating to the size of their fist. Feed as in many circumstances as they choose to eat!
2016-11-03 00:54:04 · answer #8 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋