My daughter is almost 2 weeks old and she normally feeds about every two hours for the most part. But sometimes she seems to want to nurse for HOURS on end!! Last night I nursed her from 10 until 2am until she finally went to sleep and today I nursed her good at noon but everytime I held her or set her down she always was looking for my breast! What gives?
Do I keep nursing her? Or do I let her cry or what? I know she's getting plenty to eat, my milk supply is good and she's a good nurser and she has PLENTY of poopy and wet diapers. What's up with this???
2007-08-07 12:03:20 · 12 answers · asked by boz4425 4 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
It sounds like she's cluster feeding because she's going through a growth spurt. In addition to the constant nursing, babies can also be fussier than usual. It's perfectly normal. She's too young to let her cry it out and besides that could really affect your supply and cause some painful engorgement.
My daughter did the cluster feeding when she was 3 weeks old and it started everynight at 9. Eventually, I just put her to bed with me to nurse so I could get a little rest too.
2007-08-07 12:26:50 · answer #1 · answered by no name 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
She is 2 weeks old and this is her first growth spurt. Every baby goes through a growth spurt at 2 weeks of age. It's good for you because it really helps to establish your milk supply. What to do? Plan for it, expect it and get comfy. If you have a sling you can use that to put her into and do some things...but it's really normal.
The first 6 weeks, baby wants to nurse frequently...but it slows down in time. She is not going to nurse like this forever-just for right now.
Good luck and happy nursing!
2007-08-07 19:16:05 · answer #2 · answered by NY_Attitude 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My son is almost 7 months and still wants to nurse for hours on end. He would be perfectly content to be at the breast ALL NIGHT! She is also going through her first growth spurt, so just be patient and enjoy the bonding time with her. While she nurses, just lay down and take a nap, you'll find it's some of the best sleep you can get. My son does not take a pacifier, so I'm not saying it won't work for you, but breast babies usually don't take to artificial nipples. Try a latex one if you haven't already, my son HATES silicon nipples and very rarely takes a latex one.
2007-08-07 21:20:32 · answer #3 · answered by Lyric's Mommy 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's really up to you. I would try nursing her for the usual 20 minutes total or so and then change the activity -- change her diaper, go for a walk, just carry her around, whatever -- but, not feed her continuously for hours on end. If she is fussy again after an hour or so of not eating, try feeding her again and do the same again. I wouldn't just keep feeding her continuously though. You will wear yourself and your nipples out. Chances are she is feeding and then just using your nipples for comfort or just for sucking but, not really getting much to eat during all that time. There's nothing wrong with letting her feed constantly but, I just couldn't keep doing it like that. I wouldn't let her cry but, I would try other things besides just constant nursing. And, the way I felt when my kids were that young was that by the time you figured out what was really going on, they changed. So chances are this phase won't last very long and she'll be on to something else! (typically there's a growth and hunger spurt at 3 weeks old)
2007-08-07 20:15:37 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
your baby is a comfort nurser, and there is nothing wrong with that, things will change from day to day. one day she might nurse non stop, and some days you might be calling your doctor because you don't think she is getting enough.
you cant over feed a baby. enjoy the cuddle time!!
my daughter did the same thing, she nursed every wakeing min. now she is 6 months, and i have to say im jealous, she doesn't want to nurse at all, and forget the bottle she won't have that.
CHERISH THIS TIME!!
2007-08-07 19:46:57 · answer #5 · answered by kate m 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like the baby is going through a growth spurt. It's important to nurse her as much as she wants now because she is trying to tell your body to increase it's milk supply in order for her to have enough milk in a couple days. Supply and demand! As difficult as it is to nurse that long (I've done it too!), it is very important. She will calm down in a few days but give her what she needs now. It sounds like you are doing just that already.
2007-08-07 19:18:05 · answer #6 · answered by iamcp 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My daughter went through the same thing. She wanted to nurse very often and long. I think it is comfort, she knows how much milk she needs really. I would keep feeding her. She loves the bond, and it will be nice for you in the long run. Just don't give up and be patient. It will soon be sad when she don't want it anymore. Then you will want her on it. Good Luck, and Congrats on making it this far!!!! :)
2007-08-07 19:10:20 · answer #7 · answered by TTC#2 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
She's using you as a mommy pacifier. She's only getting milk for part of that nursing time. You might want to consider giving her a pacifier, if she wants milk she'll spit it out when she realizes it isn't going to give her what she wants. She may or may not take to it, but it may give you a break. I'm suspecting she just needs to suck to calm herself. A thumb might work too- but that's a harder habit to break- you can take away a pacifier later, you can't take away a thumb.
2007-08-07 19:11:20 · answer #8 · answered by Suburban Mom 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
it's normal and ok
and luckily it's usually just a phase
stick with it girl!......don't let her cry......nurse her and walk with her as much as she needs....but i know you also need to eat, go to the bathroom, shower, sleep, wash dishes and laundry and so on
so that is what a sling or front carrier is made for!....my 7 week old does really well being next me in her front sling while i get to take care of the things i need to do
try that and good luck and kudos for breastfeeding!!!!
2007-08-07 19:20:02 · answer #9 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes baby's just want to suck. Its a normal baby thing, sos dont think havin' a pacifier is a bad thing. My 3 week old was like that but I talk to her doctor and thats what he told me to do.
2007-08-11 18:47:10 · answer #10 · answered by irish_kiss_99 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋