I used to be an NCT breastfeeding counsellor and the six week stage often caused mums problems. It takes six weeks to get breastfeeding/expressing breastmilk established, by which time your baby has a growth spurt!
His stomach may not yet have adjusted to the volume he currently needs. 3oz every 4 hours is now 3oz every two hours (i.e. 6 oz every 4 hours). The time between his feeds will eventually lengthen but while he is having this growth spurt, you just have to weather his demands (sorry!)
Demand feeding is always the best way to go, since the infant knows better than anyone what his needs are and will not overfeed.
The milk your breasts make for a six week old baby is different from the milk you made at his birth or the milk you make when he is twelve weeks old, so you may find the volumes he needs vary.
There are a couple of useful websites below but here's a quote from one of them:
"Growth spurts will likely occur at around 10 days, 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, 4 months, again at 6 months, at 9 months and again around a year. Increased nursing can also be the result of the approach of a new developmental stage, illness, teething, or a result of change or usual routine, or increased stress or activity at home
Some mothers become concerned if baby begins to nurse in very short sessions. Most breastfeeding experts advise that if the baby continues to have plenty of wet diapers, regular bowel movements, is gaining weight well and meeting developmental milestones, then baby is getting enough breastmilk. Even sessions as short as five minutes can be normal, as long as baby continues to grow and do well.
It is important to remember that breastmilk should be the baby's primary source of nutrition throughout the first year. "
If you do supplement with formula. always try to do this after the breastmilk feed. Perhaps you may need to express more frequently during his growth spurt, to keep up with his needs. As far as possible, try to use breastmilk rather than formula and do not worry about using different types of formula or so-called follow-on milk.
If you are able to keep on expressing, rest assured that the constituents of your breastmilk will change over time, following your son's growth requirements.
Best of luck!
Susan
2007-03-06 09:24:12
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answer #1
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answered by love.incarnate 1
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Like the other posters have said, 6 weeks is classic growth spurt time. 6 weeks is a biggie too and the time when a lot of people give up breastfeeding because they (wrongly) believe that they don't have enough milk.
Feed on demand whenever the baby asks (don't fight it, everyone will end up more upset / stressed) and as asoon as the growth spurt is over, the demands will lessen.
The next growth spurt is around 10-14 weeks and is often mistaken for the baby needing weaning. The same advice applies to this one too.
Breastmilk is best even if it is expressed. Express as much as you possibly can and feed the baby your frozen back up supplies too if you have any. You can repenish them once the growth spurt is over.
By the way, well done to you for managing to express for 6 weeks. A lot of people would have given up by now. Do not underestimate the good this has done for your baby. Keep it going as long as you can :-)
2007-03-06 08:18:06
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answer #2
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answered by Anonymous
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You must always remember that a baby will feed when they are hungry they never starve themselves. They just enjoy giving us mums the run around. With you breastfeeding you also dont know the exact amount that they are getting, if they fall asleep quite quickly in the middle of the feed this doesnt mean they have had their fill it is just that they are very comfy so as soon as they do this i suggest you try lying the baby down to see if this wakes them up and put them back on the breast. A huge point to make is make sure you are drinking loads while feeding as this keeps you full, you can very quickly dehydrate while breastfeeding
2007-03-06 08:16:01
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answer #3
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answered by bobbleheado5 2
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It is very common for babies to go through a growth spurt at six weeks, then again at twelve weeks. This can cause breastfeeding mums to doubt their milk production since baby is constantly hungry. It will settle down if you grit your teeth and just feed on demand. I know it's exhausting and your boobs are probably killing you by now, but in a week or two it will all settle back to normal.
Also, if you want to breastfeed, can I suggest that you ditch the formula as soon as you possibly can - you will interfere with your milk production and because your feeding is not firmly established yet, you might find you end up having to bottle feed all the time.
But of course if you don't mind bottle feeding and just wanted to give him a start on breastmilk, then I would suggest feed on demand anyway. He's a big boy, he will be hungry, don't try to force him into a four hour pattern because you'll be miserable, he'll be miserable, he'll settle when he's ready. Promise! x
2007-03-06 08:14:07
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answer #4
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answered by GoldieMeg 3
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One of my kids was having a feed every 2 hours at night until the age of 9 months! All babies are different and some are hungrier than others and are hungrier at different ages as they go through growth spurts & their needs change. Stick with what you are doing but try to burp him mid feed. If he gets windy during the feed he might get uncomfortable and not want to take more. If you can get the wind out mid feed he may then be able to take more than 3oz.
Good luck.
2007-03-06 08:13:57
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answer #5
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answered by FC 4
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i have three children of my own,one of them being a 9 pounder who like your baby was always hungry.i did what most health visiters disagree with,i gave her 1 or 2 spoons of baby rice which settled her down completely.she was 8 weeks old at the time.i know they say breast is best but for bigger babys i find they are not satisfied thus being the reason for wanting to feed more often.babies also get very tired when they feed and are more likely to fall asleep on the breast.i believe a baby that size needs some grub.try
2007-03-06 09:29:23
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answer #6
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answered by kym m 1
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You should ask your midwife! In the old days there was no questions, just feed on demmand! Nowadays they found a lot of other issues regarding feeds and you should really get advice from your midwife... I had a hungry boy too and I know what you mean. I believe if his sleeping patern changes then this is when you are suppose to adjust the milk dosage.
2007-03-06 08:14:04
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answer #7
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answered by Pois Chiche 2
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Sounds like a growth spurt. It's been a while, but I think I used to use Enfamil formula for my baby. I learned from my sister to let the baby set their own feeding schedule-every two hours, or with my son, sometimes, especially at growth spurts, he ate every hour! I'm glad he sleeps for four hours a night for you. Just please talk with your pediatrician about what's best for baby to eat in the way of formula. Relax, and enjoy. Take care.
2007-03-06 08:17:45
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answer #8
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answered by SAK 6
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As long as he's gaining and making 6-8 wet diapers a day he's fine. Babies go through growth spurts and they will cluster feed...where they want to eat very frequently for a few days...then he'll get back to normal.......He will do this every few weeks......put him to the breast as often as you can to bring your milk supply up. At 6 weeks, he will eat very often. 4 hrs a night between feedings is just perfect too! Longer is not good.
2007-03-06 08:10:54
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answer #9
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answered by DuneFL 3
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I think they just do that for a while. I remember (breast) feeding my son 18 times in a 24 hr period. Exhausting! It will get better and tbh I wouldn't change his milk. I thought about it when I changed over to formula but apparently that milk that's meant to keep them fuller for longer (SMA Gold for ex) can give them tummy ache. I apologise if this info is wrong - that's what my hv told me when my son was a baby.
2007-03-06 08:11:19
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answer #10
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answered by Anonymous
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