My 1.5 week old won't stop eating!

BamBam510 · May 2010

I put him on the boob and let him eat as long as he wants, and then he's still hungry afterwards or shortly after, so we've been supplementing with formula. He'll spit up after having both bm or formula, but then wants more! When I pump, I only get about 1 ounce total, so I'm thinking my breasts just aren't producing enough to satisfy him. I know he gets more out than a pump does, but still it seems that its not enough. The other night I breast fed him, and he wasn't happy so I gave him a bottle I had pumped earlier which was 1oz and that wasn't enough, and so he drank an ounce of formula and then finally fell asleep.

How do these growth spurts work? I figure as he's growing he's only going to want to eat more often right?

kate1011 · May 2010

The first growth spurt is generally at 3 weeks. If he's spitting up he's over eating and probably just wanting something to suck on out of comfort.

If you're worried about not producing enough milk, he will need to continue to suck on your breast to up the amount. Or you should pump (even after you stop getting anything). Are you pumping right after he eats? If so, at this point, getting an ounce then is great. Maybe try calling a LC and see if they have any advice for your bf, but it sounds like comfort to me...

~CoCo~ · May 2010

Gaah! Do not supplement with formula if your hope/plan is to BF in the long run. Your baby is going through a growth spurt, and it is NORMAL for him to cluster-feed. He IS getting enough, in the sense that your breasts are producing adequate milk- he just wants to eat constantly b/c his body is growing so rapidly.

That 'constant' feeding is what tells your body to produce more milk, and increases your supply so you can keep up with his demands.

If you give him formula, your breasts will not know to make more milk, so you WILL NOT be able to keep up with his demand. I don't want to sound harsh, but you need to read up (LLL or kellymom are good resources) if you plan to successfully BF long-term, and NOT supplement.

<edit> Contrary to PP, the first growth spurt is typically at ONE WEEK. Then 3, then 6...

winomom22 · May 2010

I would say it is quite normal for them to want to nurse frequently at this age. It helps to build your supply. At this point they are only drinking about 2oz a feeding. Have you tried just nursing him again when seems hungry again instead of supplementing with formula? Supplementing will only hurt your supply even more. I know it's hard when you are bfing and not knowing if he is getting enough. In your situation, I would just keep nursing. It should help build your supply up.

liza0828 · May 2010

I agree with coco. Have you talked to a lactation consultant? I think it might help! GL

shotzie · May 2010

Ditto pp's. Don't supplement. LO is telling your body to produce more milk. There were a couple growth spurts where DD would nurse for a couple hours straight. I just kept switching her from side to side over and over until she decided she was done. If he's sucking for comfort, you can try a paci or your finger. Don't worry, if it's food he's after, he won't take it.