Why does it seem like my son is constantly hungry?

Question

My son is 5 weeks old. He is strictly breastfed. And it'a working well from the beginning. I feed him whenever he wants fed. But, recently it seems like when he's awake he is CONSTANTLY hungry. While awake he'll lay and look around and be content but literally within 15 minutes he's fussing to be fed. I can use the pacifier and that's worked well but it only satisfies him so long. So, then I feed him on a boob for 15 minutes. When he seems fine and refuses to open his mouth I burp him and he acts like he's not hungry. Then, while still awake from before he gets fussy within another 15 minutes. Ok, then I give him the other boob for another 15 minutes and this continues pretty much all day for his awake time. I know he doesn't have a poopy or peed up diaper and I gave him gas drops to ensure he wasn't fussing over a hurt tummy. Other than that, I can understand why it always seems like he wants to feed....what am I doing wrong? I know I have milk.

And he usually takes a few 2 hour naps during the day and sleeps for about 4 hours at night.

And the reason I know he's fussing because he's hungry is because he shoves his fists into his mouth.

And he didn't start this behavior until about 2 weeks ago.

No colic and PLENTY of bowel movements. At least 5 a day. Lots of pee too. And it isn't constant crying. Just a constant state of looking starving, even after feeding.

Answer 1

He's growing! My mom started putting baby cereal in our bottles at 2 weeks because we were so hungry. I think that is why we both have such high metabolisms... our bodies started practicing early. Neither of us are over weight or ever have been close to it. I am going to do the same with my child when s/he is born in 5 1/2 months! I don't know what to tell you except the boy is growing.

Answer 2

Sounds like a very healthy 5-week old baby to me!! Really, it sounds like you know just what's going on and how to take care of him and that you're doing fine with him. He will at some time go through a phase where you are concerned because he does not want to eat constantly but is content nonetheless and you just want to be sure nothing is wrong because he used to eat so much more. That will be perfectly normal just like this is. The down side to the phase he's in now is that it involves you constantly needing to be available to provide him with a boob whenever he wants it. By two months old, he will probably be able to get more at each feeding and not need to eat quite as often during the day and maybe even less often at night if you're lucky. It sounds like you've tried holding him off when you think he may not necessarily really need to eat quite yet and that's probably the most patience you're going to find in him for now. I remember when my son was that age; he was really easy and very happy and it was amazing to me how the only thing that he ever cried about was wanting to be fed more. It got to the point where I didn't even check for anything else because more boob is what always did it. You're not doing anything wrong. You're actually doing everything right and he just likes it!!

Answer 3

Oh I miss the newborn stage. First of all, newborns love to suck, and they will appear to be starving. He's probably going through a growth spurt also. I used to feed my son whenever also. It's good you aren't doubting your milk supply because a lot of new moms make that mistake and supplement with formula. Just keep doing what you're doing and I bet within a week or so he'll seem a bit more satiated after he eats. If he's going through a growth spurt he is trying to increase your supply by nursing more. Just nurse him on demand and he'll be fine. Congratulations.

As long as he's gaining weight he's fine, DON'T supplement, that for sure will decrease your milk supply. You're doing a good job, hang in there with him. Also, do not give him cereal until he is between 4-6 months old. Trust your mothering and insticts.

Answer 4

Hello:

It is very normal for breastfed babies to want to nurse all of the time because breastmilk digests faster than formula does. I breastfed my daughter for the first year of her life and there were times where she was going through growth spurts when all she wanted to do was nurse and nurse and nurse,and then there were other times where she would nurse for 15 minutes and then she was full.

I would talk to your doctor about supplementing with formula and of course continue to breastfeed too,but if you or a family member or friend gives your son a bottle of formula,it will give your poor boobs a break. Keep in mind though that your breasts only produce as much milk as your baby takes so if you decide to supplement a feeding or two with formula MAKE SURE that you are pumping your breastmilk into other bottles for your son,because that will help keep your milk supply up.

The whole solid food thing is really not a good idea and I know that I am going to get flamed for saying this but just because our grandmothers and our mothers put baby cereal in our bottles,it doesn't mean that it is a safe thing to do. It has been medically proven that it is just an old wives tale that putting baby cereal such as rice cereal into a baby's bottle will help them sleep longer,it doesn't and it is a MAJOR CHOKING HAZARD!

Unless your doctor tells you to specifically put cereal into your baby's bottle DON'T DO IT!! I am not kidding the reason being is because a baby's digestive system is not mature enough at such a young age to handle solid foods yet and there is a chance that a baby could choke,or have a food allergy even to rice cereal at such an early age.

I would pump your breastmilk into baby bottles to see how much milk that you are actually producing because maybe it isn't enough to satisfy your son's hearty appetite and maybe that is why a supplemental feeding of formula would help him out because formula does help babies feel fuller for longer peroids of time. The reason is because formula is a slower digesting milk than breastmilk does and that is why formula fed babies usually eat less often than breastfed babies do,because the formula leaves them feeling satisfied and full.

I would just keep nursing him as often as he wants because the hindmilk is the good stuff that will help him grow up to be strong and healthy. Good luck and I hope that this information has answered some of your questions? ;-)

Answer 5

WOW, I have the exact same problem! My little Renis can eat for hours! he does the little fist thing too, it is soo cute...he practically puts his whole fist in his mouth. He won't take a pacifier either.. he will have it in his mouth for maybe ten minutes, tops! I went to the doctors today for his two month check-up and shots (he is 9 weeks) we weighed him at 17lbs! the doctor says that is he is off the charts! He also told me to slow down on the feeding, I too have lots of milk and probably very rich milk that is why he is soo chubby, but I am trying not to feed him all day.. I try to play with him instead, he likes to smile,laugh and make gurggle sounds now, that keeps him busy for a little while, but he is such a porker! lol
Also, my baby has the same sleeping routine as yours.
Talk to your doctor and see what he says.

Answer 6

Be prepared to be a milk cow 24/7. He is only 5 weeks old - they eat constantly at that age. He's growing, etc. Also, with breastfeeding - their aren't any added supplements, so he is digesting everything much quicker. Where as formula, they add "fillers" to help the child not digest it as quickly.

This is normal, there is nothing wrong with him. At this time in his life, it is very important for him to eat. He is absorbing everything that he is taking in. I know it gets frustrating. I breastfed my first son until he was 15 months. Babies/kids go through stages - they eat, eat, eat - all day long. Then all of a sudden, they don't want to eat. You can always tell when a baby/child is going through a growth spurt - it's when they want to eat a lot.

Answer 7

try feeding the other boob after you burp him, but other than that there is not much you can do. usually at about 2 months they have a growth spurt, your son may just be hitting his early. My second daughter nursed ever 30-45 minutes untill she was about 5 months old so I know the feeling.

Answer 8

With breastfeeding you really can't tell how much they are actually getting. What did his doctor say?

If you can pump milk too, then I would say test it to see how long it takes him to drink the amount that satisfies him over the course of one day using different amounts.

Other than that I say let him eat all that he wants. Babies know when to say when and 5-10mins per breast sounds like a good amount of time.

Good luck.

Answer 9

I hate to tell you this; but he's acting normally. He's a hungry baby- in a rush to grow up! Hang with Him for as LONG as you can...-& then see if you can begin introducing Him to formula or other liquids. His feeding times SHOULD get further apart in a few weeks...

Answer 10

Maybe he's on a growth spurt. My daughter seemed like she was always hungry but she just wanted to suck so we gave her a pacifer. Since you've already done that, maybe he is just hungry. You may have to supplement with formula. Talk to his pediatrician.