I have a 2wk old. I was feeding every 2hrs (doctors orders) but now that she has gained 1lb 6oz since her 3 day wellness check I think we can ease up now. She awoke this morning, I changed her and tried to feed her bcuz she was crying... she never opened her mouth wide enough to latch correctly. Do babies not latch well when they're not really hungry? I gave her to my husband bcuz I was getting frustrated (and my nipple hurt) and now she's fast asleep.
??????????
This is so frustrating!!!!!
2007-10-11 02:17:21 · 14 answers · asked by throughthebackyards 5 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Okay..I just have to say that feeding my first was the toughest because both of us were learning..With the others I had, it was almost a breeze, but not quite..Much easier though...So, be patient..Your baby will give you the cues! Sometimes, they are not hungry right on schedule, then sometimes, they nurse like crazy if they are going through a growing spurt...Good luck sweetie!!!
2007-10-11 02:40:23 · answer #1 · answered by Momto8gr8 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Most babies have a good knack of knowing when they are full or hungry. No amount of us trying to provoke a child into feeding when they aren't hungry will work, usually it finishes with tears from the mum and baby jamming its mouth shut and refusing to latch on,lol. Sound familiar, yes I have lived it and not that long ago. But Hun your baby is only 2weeks old and very new to this. If she is your first baby then you are very new to this too. take time, care and try to use patients. I don't know if you use a soother, dummy or comforter with your baby but it can help with the settling when baby isn't hungry.
You are correct, if a baby isn't hungry they wont latch on properly. I used to hate the 2am feed because it would always be my right side and my son hated it and wouldn't attach properly and I would ALWAYS end up in tears. But it is all sorted now, he is 10m and still going strong............Now for the weaning.
2007-10-11 02:37:02 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
First of all you're doing great! New baby's can be VERY frustrating because they're so demanding and they can't even tell us whats wrong.
You absolutely did the right thing, if she wasn't interested in eatting and now shes' sleeping, well just let her sleep.
A two week old baby isn't into schedules and routines, I always fed my daughters on demand and my youngest was premature and on the small side. When she was hungry she ate .. it may have been every two hours or a little more or a little less... She'll let you know when shes' hungry!
Keep up the good work!
2007-10-11 02:40:42 · answer #3 · answered by Lisa 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Peter V, it was nice to see a nice, intelligent, respectful answer on breastfeeding from male. Usually the comments are from immature, ignramous, perverts.
The hospital at which I gave birth had an on-site lactation nurse, whom I think is available for private consultations. Your hospital, or any hospital might have something similar.
Peter's suggestion to contact La Leche League was what I was going to suggest. There are several groups in the Columbus, OH area that meet regularly, in addition to private consultations as well. Also, the site, www.lli.org offers good advice, including a message board. I think other sites, like Baby Center, Parents Magazine, Baby Talk (which has a good article on breastfeeding in the August 2007 issue), and similar sites will also have some advice. Also, talk with your child's pediatrician. S/He should have some advice as well.
2007-10-11 02:30:27 · answer #4 · answered by Vegan_Mom 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good for you for giving your baby the best nutrition possible! Don't ease up, but don't speed things up, either. Let her eat when SHE decides she's hungry; you really can't program a baby like a robot. That said, she probably just wasn't hungry this morning. My son used to close his mouth and refuse to latch on when he wasn't hungry, too. If it keeps happening, though, you might want to consult the pediatrician, or if you think she's just not latching properly, consult a lactation consultant in your area. I had one before I left the hospital, and it was really helpful. Good luck!
2007-10-11 03:30:23 · answer #5 · answered by SoBox 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
DON"T GIVE UP! Breastfeeding is very frustrating and this is why many mothers give up. Just remeber how much better it is for you and baby to breastfeed. There are many factors as to why she did not latch. Are you engorged? She may be having a hard time if you are engorged. She could also just be very tired, if she went to sleep she must or been. Don't worry just don't give up, she will latch if she is hugry may take some work though.
2007-10-11 02:49:34 · answer #6 · answered by shellyclark1984 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ive never Breast fed, lol.. but I do know about it... having studied it..
Id research a bit on proper latching techniques.... how to get a baby to properly latch.. la leche league has some great websites and breast feeding counselors to help you out.
also, some babies just wont latch properly.. so as long as you express via pump or hand and bottle feed your child, it will be fine (and hubby can wake up and do that for you! lol).... sore nipples Im afraid I don't know what to tell ya here... cept dont stop pumping or they will become way more sore and your whole breast will begin to hurt as it becomes engorged.
Best of luck!
2007-10-11 02:22:11 · answer #7 · answered by Peter Griffin 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
It is instinct to open their mouths when it is touched. But if she has been made to eat that often she may have learned already what will happen. If she is contnet now and not acting hungry then let her rest. You hsoudl never force a child to eat anyhow, even if she was tiny. She will eat when she is hungry. Best of luck and I'm glad she is putting on the weight now :)
2007-10-11 02:25:21 · answer #8 · answered by Betsy 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like she's ready to be fed just on demand. That won't necassarily be every 2 hours. I would call your dr and tell him what happened and make sure you can just feed her on demand now. Should be ok since she is gaining weight now. Some days babies are more tired and sleep more, eat less. Other days, they seem to nurse and nurse and nurse and hardly sleep. That's newborns for you!!
Hang in there! You're doing great!!!
2007-10-11 02:32:13 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
you should be able to go longer than 2 hours (if bubs is happy and gaining weight).. try demand feeding for a few days to work out her natural feeding pattern.. you might have to offer to nurse more, but you will soon work out the length of time when she is hungry and needs to feed
2007-10-11 02:25:33 · answer #10 · answered by amy t 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋