my baby is 5 and a half weeks old. Due to bleeding nipples that he refused to take I had to express, and now am able to breastfeed a little and top up with formula. My son weighs 10lb 5oz, but feeds at the breast for half an hour, and then easily takes 5oz sometimes closer to 6oz from the bottle. His weight gain was slow at first but now is rapid. birth 8lb4oz, 1wk early He put on 15oz last week. He cries and is very fussy when I stop the bottle to wind him, or think he has had enough. Am I confusing wind and being hungry? I'm very confused, I don't think so as he roots for the bottle and makes smacking noises, but surely he is getting too much milk? He does suffer with wind. Also he sleeps so much, and there is little time when he is alert and not crying. Is this normal? He feeds about every 4hours, and 6 at night. so he gets about 6 feeds in 24hours. I'm worried that I'm giving him a bad tummy, and that he is so full he just sleeps too much. Am I just being a fussy first time mum??
2007-03-07 23:59:28 · 11 answers · asked by bingo_smit 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
sounds okay to me. ussually breastfed babies eat about every 2 -3 hours.
2007-03-08 00:04:13 · answer #1 · answered by Miki 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Here's a little lesson I learned when my son was a newborn. Babies care only about THEIR needs... so if they're not happy, you're not going to be happy. If your son is hungry, he's gonig to eat, and when he's full, he's going to stop eating unti he's ready to eat again. He's not going to force himself to intake so much milk that he's going to be miserable. He's just a healthy, growing baby. My son gained weight very quickly when he was first born, too. He put on nearly 3 pounds in 2 months and was eating every 1 - 3 hours depending on the time of day. He nursed for at least 20 minutes (usually around 30 if not more) and would not want to stop until HE was done. Just let him eat. He knows when he's had enough. And it's breatmilk and formula... the best stuff he could have at this age. It's not like he's filling his tummy up with tootsie rolls and birthday cake. And consider yourself lucky that he'll go so long between feedings! That gives you more time to rest, especially at night! If you're worried he might be sleeping too much, then wake him up for a little playtime throughout the day. Take 30 minutes and gently wake him up and give him tummy time or anything to keep him active. Babies will sleep all day if you let them. Good luck to you, and congrats!
2007-03-08 00:10:27 · answer #2 · answered by Christina 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My daughter was the same way. She would nurse from me for a while and then, take the bottle and eat about 6 oz. I was worried, just as you are. But I spoke to my doctor about it. And he reassured me that she is fine.
Let him eat until he's done. He'll let you know when he's got a full tummy. Through the night, I believe you should let them sleep until they wake up. They won't starve themselves...they know when they are hungry. My daughter is just fine...and thats what I did.
If hes rooting for the bottle, then most likely hes hungry.
or else, you could try using a pacifier. maybe he just needs to suck. thats how my daughter was too. so try that!!!
if youre truly worried, speak to your doctor about it
good luck!
2007-03-08 01:41:50 · answer #3 · answered by dreamcatcher 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think your son is getting too much milk. My son doubled his birth weight by three month. He nursed every 2-3 hours. A baby will take what it needs. If he got too much milk he'd be spitting it back up. I don't think you have anything to worry about. He sleeps so much, because he's only 5 weeks old and because he's satisfied.
2007-03-08 01:40:38 · answer #4 · answered by schnipps 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They hit growth spurts that make them feed more. Your baby's tummy is the size of his fist. If he is eating too much he will vomit b/c it will all back up. If he seems ok and isn't vommiting, keep up your routine. I think 6 feedings are normal. My twins ate every 2-3 hours, while my other children ate every 4. All babies are different.
Also, if the baby has air in his tummy, that can make him feel full and once the air is gone his tummy will feel emptier and make him hungry.
2007-03-08 00:06:14 · answer #5 · answered by zinntwinnies 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Just try burping him, and if he isn't burping maybe he does want more bottle. My daughter drank like a little machine, it is normal for a baby to sleep alot all they do is eat and sleep and poop. It is not a bad thiing for his tummy to be full, he is sleeping because he is content. You are doing fine, just keep doing what you are doing, you sound like a great mom.
2007-03-08 00:05:37 · answer #6 · answered by Stuck in the middle of nowhere 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Best thing is to ask your Health visitor. Thats what they are there for. They know through training how much a baby should be getting and how much they should gain weight wise. Just ask her, thats her job!! You're not expected to know everything, no mum does!
2007-03-08 00:08:47 · answer #7 · answered by Mummy B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you are concerned about the amount of milk he is getting maybe try and just breastfeed him.. perhaps its just the suckling comfort that he needs.. instead of letting him nurse for a half an hour and then offering the bottle.. just keep nursing if he will accept.. he won't be getting a lot of milk and he will be content.. it will also help you to increase your milk supply.. may not work for you.. but it might be just what you need!
2007-03-08 02:23:33 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
the whole feeding with a newborn can be daunting to say the least. I want you to trust your baby's instincts..they will stop feeding when they have had enough. All babies have wind! Now enjoy him!
2007-03-08 03:16:41 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
maybe your baby is addicted to milk or you let your baby drink milk frequently...and so he was just like what your baby up to now..
2007-03-08 00:06:26 · answer #10 · answered by giRLyhaTes21 2 · 0⤊ 4⤋