oddly hungry baby?

Question

My son is a month old and has an enormous appetite. I breastfeed and it seems that he never gets enough. He eats practically all day. I know breastmilk is supposed to digest faster, but sometimes he wont go 20 minutes without trying to eat. I've begun to supplement with formula as a last resort, only giving into the bottle when he cries at the breast. I want my son to receive as much milk as possible. Does anyone have any information on why he is so hungry all the time or any advice on how to up my supply?

He's been to the pediatrician about it, and he has been on Similac for about a week. The doctor just told me to pump when he gets a bottle and pump my other breast as he nurses, but that hasn't seemed to help. My mother told me she had to begin adding cereal to my milk when i was 5 weeks old...(then again I was 15 lbs by then and standards for when to give food were different)...could it be genectic or am I just in desperate need of an answer?

He doesn't like a pacifier at all. He always calms right down after the bottle.

He'll be happy and alert and suck firmly for a few minutes, then he will begin to lose the noticeable pause in the the chin as his sucks slowly turn to nibbles. Once that happens, he becomes bored and uninterested, and falls alseep. Not 5-10 minutes later, he fusses to be fed.

And my nipples are fine. I have no problem with cracks or bleeding or soreness. (Thankfully)

Answer 1

1) Are you sure that he's hungry? Some babies love to suck, and cry when they get milk out instead of nothing. Try a pacifier and if he gets angry, then he DOES want milk.

2) Babies go through growth spurts. He'll eat like a pig for a few weeks then sleep soundly (and grow) for the next 2 weeks. Like someone else said, as long as you stay up on your calories and keep producing milk, he'll be fine.

3) Talk to your doctor, most of all. He may be gorging himself to the point of vomiting. His stomach is only as large as his hand, remember that. Try to give him some formula (<1 oz) at first, and wait a few minutes. You SHOULD see his face change as he feels the milk hit his stomach.

How are your nipples holding up?

Do NOT add cereal to the bottle--it's not going to make him any more full. In addition it's a choking hazard AND a SIDS threat.

How does he suck? Does he suck terribly hard for a long time?

Answer 2

Hmmm...from some of your added details, it sounds like maybe his latch is off. If this is not a new thing, and he has done this consistently since birth, then it's not just growth spurt nursing. Just because you aren't having pain doesn't mean his latch is good; it's the milk transfer, too. I would suggest meeting with an IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) or a La Leche League leader to help fix your latch. Although frequent nursing is normal - mine would nurse that often during growth spurts - the suck/swallow pattern isn't sounding quite right. You might try some breast compressions, too, to see if baby stays awake for more nursing.

Here is some info you may find helpful:
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/normal/growth-spurt.html - growth spurts
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/start/basics/latch-resources.html - latch help

Good luck!

Answer 3

this is a easy question to answer. There are 2 things that your baby is doing, first, your baby is going through a growth spurt, they normally go through this monthly up until 4 months and they have another spurt almost every 2 to 3 months. the second is that your baby loves to suck, invest in a few different types of pacifiers and find which one they like the most, trust me, hell take a pacifier when you find the best one suited for him. the best way to up your supply is to keep pumping and drinking lots of water, your supply isnt really up to par until your 2 months post partum

Answer 4

Keep an eye on your diet. If you are not eating healthy or eating enough (You need to consume 300-500 extra calories while breast feeding) your milk might not be filling him up enough. It may also be that he just need to suck for comfort. Try a pacifier and see if that helps. NEVER give an infant that young plain water. My son's doctor told me to only give pedialyte. The electrolytes in it help aid in brain development.

Answer 5

Try pumping into a bottle sometimes to see if he is actually getting enough milk.

Some babies just eat alot. He may be a big baby. At your babies age I do not think you should be giving him lots of water. He needs his milk.

Speak with your pediatrian since he knows your babies history. Remember you goal is to make sure he is getting all the nutrients he needs.

Answer 6

it may be that he is not getting enough breastmilk (is he gaining weight every week, lots of wet nappies etc).

otherwise:
baby could have wind - try burping every few minutes
he could also be tired - have you tried putting him to sleep when he has been up for an hour.

your health clinic miight be able to help you - or a lactation consultant or breastfeeding association.

all the best.

Answer 7

Feed him when he is hungry. When he has had enough he will stop eating. Continue the breast feeding and the simulac diet. Do get him a pacifier. Never water. Put a little rice into his formula. When he gets full, he will sleep. Also remember to burp him often.

Answer 8

You may not have enough milk and therefore it looks like he is always hungry though when he suckles he doesn't get much. Supplement with a quality formula for a week and see how it goes. If it still doesn't help, take him to the ped.

Answer 9

He might actually not be eating. Usually your breast only produces a certain amount of milk for your infant. He may be using your nipple for soothing because he doesn't know how to self soothe yet. Have you tried using a nuk nuk or binky?

Answer 10

try to up your supply by using a breast pump or hand expressing after each feed.this should help keep your supply strong.you should maybe consider seeing a lactation consultant.