Baby constantly wants to eat?

[Kristypants]

Hey everyone! I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed and just need some advice or someone to tell me what I'm going through is normal.

My daughter is just about 11 weeks old and she just constantly wants to eat, about every hour most days. I know it's not a growth spurt, because it's been pretty constant since she was born.

When she was born she was 6lbs 8oz and now weighs 10lbs exactly. The weight gain was pretty slow at the start, and I've always worried that maybe I just don't have enough for her, even though from reading about bf I know that that's a pretty rare problem. When I pump I've gotten a max of 2oz from both breasts combined. I've taken fenugreek and blessed thistle 3 times a day since she was born. Some weeks she only gains 4oz, but then this last week she gained 7oz.

I'm not sure if she's crying because she's hungry, but most times feeding her is the only way to calm her down. I'm feeling pretty worn out and can barely go to the bathroom and grab a snack during the day, let alone do any of the other things that I'm supposed to be doing.

I really don't want to supplement with formula, is there anything else that I can do to make her feeding less frequent? Thanks!!

 

[Sproglet]

Is she actually feeding (sucks around once per second, with audible/visible swallows everyday 2-3 sucks) or just comfort sucking (either faster or slower than on e per second, you might feel tongue on your nipple, with little or no swallowing)?

If it's comfort sucking then you might want to consider introducing a dummy. Or maybe she'd settle in a sling so she has the closeness without needing to be on the boob, and then you'd have your hands free to do things. You could also try feeding in a sling.

It does get better- I was in the same boat with Robyn crying whenever she was put down, while she never constantly sucked on me she always had to be in my arms. Now at 4 months she's a lot happier to be put down for a while on a playmat, in her swing, in her snug, or just on the sofa/bed with a rattle or two.

 

[babyjo]

Hey

Hang in there. My LO is almost 14 weeks and fed hourly until this week from about 3 weeks. it is now 2-3 hours between feeds. It is so draining. I totally understand. My LO refuses a dummy and bottle so I had to go with it. I always made sure I ate and drank well even if it meant LO would cry a little bit while i got myself sorted. I gather my supplies around me, have the remote control nearby and just nursed day and night.

Someone else on here told me to have confidence- trust my body and my baby. Even if my milk wasn't enough he was doing exactly what was necessary to bring my supply up. Regular Formula top ups would make things worse in that situation but the odd bit now and then to give you a break may help.

You're doing a great job. It will space out in time. Make sure you look after yourself too. x

 

[Janers]

I have an almost 12 week old and she has been feeding every hour for the last few weeks. Exhausting but im starting to get used to it.

 

[NoodleSnack]

I'm only 1 month in, but my boy feeds every hour or two as well, and I don't think it's anything to do with your supply. I have plenty, too much actually, and he's gained nearly 3 pounds in one month. If I force him to take too much, he just vomits so I stopped doing that.

 

[Sproglet]

I'm only 1 month in, but my boy feeds every hour or two as well, and I don't think it's anything to do with your supply. I have plenty, too much actually, and he's gained nearly 3 pounds in one month. If I force him to take too much, he just vomits so I stopped doing that.

You might have an oversupply problem leading to him not getting enough fatty milk. Have you tried feeding from one breast per feed or per two feeds to enable him to drain it?

 

[NoodleSnack]

I'm only 1 month in, but my boy feeds every hour or two as well, and I don't think it's anything to do with your supply. I have plenty, too much actually, and he's gained nearly 3 pounds in one month. If I force him to take too much, he just vomits so I stopped doing that.

You might have an oversupply problem leading to him not getting enough fatty milk. Have you tried feeding from one breast per feed or per two feeds to enable him to drain it?

Yep, I feed until he drains one breast than change, I get two or three feeds from each breast, but he usually only feeds for 10 minutes before stopping, so of course he gets hungry again quite soon. Tried different things but now we're just down to waiting for him to grow out of it.