my 12 week old is hungry all of the time. i breastfeed every hour and up until 1 week ago she was sleeping through the night. what do u suggest?
2007-12-20 00:40:34 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Your baby isn't hungry at 12 weeks. An upset tummy will make them want to feed more because they're too young to understand why their tummy is hurting. Also, if they want to breastfeed a lot, it may not be only because of hunger. They may just need the nurturing. But if you want to test out your theory, here's what you do. Try to wait at least an hour between feedings. And when you do feed, give your baby a certain amount of time on each side. This will help you produce enough milk.
Also, are you getting enough water? When I was BFing I had to drink glass after glass of water. If I didn't, my milk supply would disappear. You can't drink the water all at once, you have to space it out throughout the day so you stay hydrated. Every time I would BF, I would drink a huge glass of water.
Don't feed your baby any solids yet, she's not ready.
2007-12-20 00:52:35 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Your baby might be going through a growth spurt and therefore is eating more often. It is still too early to give anything other than formula/breast milk. If anything I would say give some formula as it takes longer to digest than breastmilk. It will be another month to 3 months before your baby can start having baby rice. You baby may also be doing this because of a strong need to suck so may be using you as a pacifier.
2007-12-20 08:47:02 · answer #2 · answered by hunneybee1979 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would say go for it. Our baby when she turned about 9-12 weeks we started giving her rice in every bottle. Just a little at a time. I think she started out with half teaspoon. The reason we gave her rice was because she took soy formula and that doesn't keep them full as long and by week six she was up to six ounces in formula every two and half hours. The rice helped her a whole lot.
2007-12-20 09:00:30 · answer #3 · answered by BM 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
It isn't normally recommeded until after 4 months of age but I would suggest calling your pediatrician to get their opinion. Each pediatrician has their own opinion and you will probably get a lot of different answers here. Bottom line, baby doesn't really need anything but breast milk at this point but if you feel like that's not filling him up, call your doctor and be sure it's ok to give the rice cereal.
Good luck and congrats! Sounds like you've got a healthy baby!
2007-12-20 08:47:27 · answer #4 · answered by Pedsgurl 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
No!No!NO! Wait until six months of age. You cannot reverse the damage that may be done to her gut by giving foods too early. Allergies are also a very serious problem and not always outgrown. Continue to breast feed exclusively.
Buy a sling and carry the baby around while you get things done around the house. She may not be hungry all of the time.
2007-12-20 09:19:39 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
you wouldn't be the first mum to do it. i have several friends and family members that have done this to help their babies sleep through the night. it won't kill her, and it might make her sleep better.
would i do it? no way! shes still so little and if she's a hungry girl then let her have all the breastmilk she wants. its the norm for babies of this age to not sleep through the night. try to get naps during the day when she naps so that you are not totally exhausted.
breastfeeding every hour could mean she just needs to stay on a little longer and get a better feed. you could also try sharing your bed with her.....that always helps. she can nurse while you both sleep.
whatever you choose........don't stress!! this doesn't last forever. she will sleep eventually.
2007-12-20 08:57:18 · answer #6 · answered by Mary May 4 · 1⤊ 3⤋
If she's hungry all the time and you're wanting to keep exclusively breast feeding you'll need to let her nurse all the time, this sort of thing happens naturally every few weeks or ever couple months.
She'll go alone just fine and then for a couple weeks she'll nurse ALL THE TIME, its how she increases your supply, and without nursing all the time your body will not produce enough to meet her demands.
That said, if you want to give her rice cereal so she has the experience of something more solid (your breast milk really is enough) go ahead. My son was about 9 weeks when I first let him have some. He was breastfed, but I wanted to let him have it anyway. He only ate it once in a great while when he was just really hungry, or when i just REALLY didnt want to nurse that feeding. I think he only had it like 5 times and then at 4 months we switched straight to baby food in jars.
Its up to you. If she acts like its too much and she's gagging on it or she's upset after it, hold off on it for a couple weeks and try again.
2007-12-20 08:46:54 · answer #7 · answered by amosunknown 7 · 1⤊ 5⤋
Some say yes, some say no. My answer is "It will not harm them if you give them a LITTLE bit and use a spoon only and make it THIN". It is a FACT that it wont kill them, might make them constipated a bit though. My baby is 2 months and I give her a pinch of it when she is trying to eat too much, always works and never hurts her. Every baby is different though..time to call the doc
2007-12-20 09:03:12 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 4⤋
Call your doc & ask, but my doc told us....
4-6 months to start cereals...prefer 5 at least
They need to be able to sit w/ support & hold their own head...these help to indicate that the intestines are developed
2007-12-20 08:45:41 · answer #9 · answered by Tracy 4 · 5⤊ 1⤋
I STARTED CEREAL IN THE LAST BOTTLE OF THE DAY WHEN MY DAUGHTER WAS 6 WEEKS AND AT 3 MONTHS I STARTED SPOON FEEDING HER ONCE A DAY, AND EVERYTHING IS FINE WITH HER
2007-12-20 09:50:15 · answer #10 · answered by AKAKENF 3 · 0⤊ 4⤋