3 weeks crying it out okay?

Jessdanrod

First time parent. I feel like I write a post everyday lol. My LO is going through a cluster feeding phase where she wants to continuously eat. She is 7lbs 8ozs and is at 4 ozs about every 3 hours. At night she gets really fussy and I don't think it is gas. She wants to keep eating and loves to fall asleep with the paci but spits it out when she wants the bottle. I feel like I am going to over feed her. I just gave her 4 ozs an hour in half ago and then another 3. She kept crying for more but I put her down. She cried for a few minutes then fell asleep. I am worried of over feeding her. 

OhBaby+2013

I BF so I don't know how much my DS ate, but at 3 weeks it was constant.  It's too soon for CIO of more than a couple minutes (like 2).  Try holding your LO while giving the paci.  If she's not satisfied with the paci then she's probably hungry.  There's definitely a growth spurt around 3 weeks, so maybe she's there.

KMac570

At three weeks, your LO is probably going through a growth spurt, during which it is common for babies to eat constantly, and be extra fussy.  It is completely normal, and shouldn't last more than a few days to a week or so.  I would continue to feed her when she is hungry. If it lasts longer than a week, I would still keep feeding when she is hungry, but I would make sure she is not crying for other reasons first (for example, does she have a dirty diaper?  Is she cold, over-heated,uncomfortable for some reason, etc?).  

 Three weeks is too early to let her CIO for more than a few minutes.  At that age, babies are not capable of self-soothing, and have no sense of permanence (ie. she doesn't know that when you leave, you will come back). 

vindaloo

First off, FYI, "cry it out" is a phrase typically used in reference to sleep training, not feeding issues. So people may be confused by your use of the term.

More importantly, 3 weeks is way too young to let LO cry for food. You should be watching for hunger cues and feed before LO is do hungry they're crying.

Like PP said, your LO is probably going through a growth spurt and is likely just hungry. If you're really concerned that you might be over feeding, talk to your pediatrician, don't just arbitrarily withhold food.

The first three months are really like a fourth trimester of gestation, only outside of the womb because we're not built to carry a fetus that long. Anything LO is expressing during this time is a NEED, not just a want. So you really should be following LO's cues at this point.

mben1119

Feed her when she's hungry, and pick her up when she cries. No 3 week old is cognizant enough to start a habit, routine, anything. They're running on basic needs and drives.

And, please, don't let your LO lay there and cry. If she's crying, it is for a good reason.

Mrs MoJoRisin

If you over feed her she will spit it up. Otherwise, she is fine.

VPGIRL06

they go through a growth spurt around 3 weeks. You won't over feed-she will self regulate. my LO went from 8 lbs 14 oz to 10lbs 4 oz from 2 weeks to 4 weeks (after the growth spurt) and then at 7 weeks (We went in for reflu reasons) she only put on 7 oz...so it evens out

linzeek44

If she is crying for more food, feed her.

You might want to look at the Happiest Baby on the Block book or DVD to learn some ways to soothe your LO when she is fussy (if it's not hunger). It was really helpful for us to learn, and we didn't have to put him down crying.  

Eleventy11

mabenner1:

Feed her when she's hungry, and pick her up when she cries. No 3 week old is cognizant enough to start a habit, routine, anything. They're running on basic needs and drives. And, please, don't let your LO lay there and cry. If she's crying, it is for a good reason.

This. If baby eats too much, they will spit up. It sounds like a normal growth spurt.

Jessdanrod

this has helped me a lot. I wasn't aware of these growth spurts. I guess I just don't want her to spit up if I overfeed her. I feel bad for her when she does. Now I feel terrible for letting her cry for a few minutes. She fell right to sleep and slept for 4 hours. I def wont do it again though. I don't want her to feel unloved. Thanks for your help everyone.

 

Someone also told me that it may be Colic. She is looking to eating as comfort and it may make it worse to keep feeding her. Then again I am not sure what a colic experience is like.

mben1119

Jessdanrod:

this has helped me a lot. I wasn't aware of these growth spurts. I guess I just don't want her to spit up if I overfeed her. I feel bad for her when she does. Now I feel terrible for letting her cry for a few minutes. She fell right to sleep and slept for 4 hours. I def wont do it again though. I don't want her to feel unloved. Thanks for your help everyone.

Someone also told me that it may be Colic. She is looking to eating as comfort and it may make it worse to keep feeding her. Then again I am not sure what a colic experience is like.

Crying for hunger is one thing, colic is another. Colic is unexplained crying for at least 3 hours, at least 3 days a week, for at least 3 weeks. Babies cry. That's what they do, that's how they tell us what they need. Just feed your baby.

jkuhmann

It is hard to overfeed an infant.  When they are going through a growth spurt, it really does seem like that is all they do.  I would continue to feed until she is satisfied.  If you are really worried about it, call your pediatrician and ask if they have any guidelines for you to follow.