Am I Overfeeding?

rcultrona · March 2014

It seems like every time LO cries and I hold him he turns his head toward the breast. Sometimes its only been 45min-1hr since he ate so he shouldn't be hungry and when I offer the breast he usually only eats 5-10min before falling asleep. Am I reading the signs right? Is he turning toward the breast more for comfort than from hunger? I want to feed on demand but don't want to make the breast the answer for every cry.

capinjen152 · March 2014

I'd feed him. It's very difficult to overfeed a baby at the breast. Even if it's for comfort that is ok, and is good for supply.

sschwege · March 2014

With my first I really tried to follow more of a schedule wait 2 hours or so between feeds. I as scared I was going to create a comfort eater, etc.

With my second I took a totally different approach and thought if he shows interest I will nurse him even if it's only been 1/2 an hour or something. So I did, I fed him a lot in the beginning, I'm sure some of it was comfort, but in reality who cares? I don't think we give newborns enough credit, but imagine what they go through those first few weeks, what a huge, shocking transition it must be for them, life on the outside. Anyway, DS was a happier baby and slept infinitely better at night, part of it was I'm sure his disposition but I think part of it was feeding him on demand. Now 14 months later he only nurses 3 times a day, it doesn't last forever!

rcultrona · March 2014

He is 8 weeks and this has only been going on a week or so. His usual feeding is about 20min and weight gain is good.

cinderin · March 2014

If he isn't hungry, he won't eat.

Cupcakes339 · March 2014

I think he could be going through a growth spur or something. Liek PPs said, it's hard to overfeed if bm on demand. Did you already have the 2 mo check up? If not you could also ask the doc.

wildbutterfli2001 · March 2014

My LO was a notorious cluster eater... If he isn't hungry he wont eat but I think if you EBF on demand it lets your LO know that he can count on you and helps to bond better... Keep doing what you are doing!!