Rooting but not hungry?

shannond354

Hi ladies,

I hope someone can help me with something that has arisen in the last few days. My son is just over 4 months and in the last few days he has been eating constantly. I?m not exaggerating when I say I spent from 1:00-4:00 this afternoon sitting on the couch feeding him. The frustrating part is when I get up, he?s still rooting. I don?t get it. He can?t be hungry, can he?

I don?t think I have supply issues ? I?m always engorged in the morning and he normally seems satiated after eating. Part of the problem (I think) is that my milk never gets a chance to pool to a few ounces before he eats ? he?s always eating. Does that make sense? When I try and distract him for a few hours so that my milk has a chance, he gets fussy until I feed him again.

Any ideas? Can a baby root and not be hungry, or is it just a growth spurt? Oh how I long for a ?Make More Milk? button!

Thanks!

pitterpatter129

I'd like your "easy" button too please!  Nate does this too.  He'll have just eaten four ounces of food and be rooting around.  Since we are supplementing with bottles, I know he's eaten plenty.  I've decided it's one of three things - 1.  He didn't burp properly and just doesn't know that's what's wrong with his tummy.  A big burp and he'll stop. 2. He wants to comfort suck.  Pacifier to the rescue.  3.  Food just hasn't settled yet.  He'll stop in a few min. when he realizes he's full. 

ryemo

Totally normal. Babies nurse for lots of reasons besides hunger. And, if we were in a culture wear baby-wearing all the time was the norm, they wouldn't only eat every 2-3 hours. Instead, they'd be doing a few minutes here or there, never on a really full breast because of the frequency...just like your son is doing. It could also be a growth spurt. If you can handle going with it, go with it, it is the best thing for your supply.

CarynGunter

is your DS drooling alot more recently?

My DD, also 4 months, was dooing the same thing but it is for comfort because her teeth are coming in...nothing has come through yet but her gums are really hard and she drools alot and either wants to nurse or gum something.

I'm feeding her anywhere from 11-14 times a day right now. She doesn't seem to get the same comfort by chewing on a finger or teething toy yet. Her evening snack fest feedings are sometimes less than 10min.