May 2015 Moms

Anyone have any advice for a snacking baby?

Ever since LO got his tongue tie fixed, I've been putting him to breast as frequently as he will take it to increase my low supply. I think this has what is now causing him to eat little meals more frequently (1-2 hours) instead of big meals every 3-4 hours. He will only take one breast. When I pump, I only get 1-2 oz at the most from one so I don't think he can be getting more than that per feeding. When I try to give him a bottle it's about the same. He cries and eventually screams if I try to get him to eat more.

This is causing two issues. 1) he won't eat right before bed which results in him waking up several times during the night starving and pissed and 2) I'll be going back to work next week and for 1 month he will be with dad and then in daycare which I assume won't have time to eff around and feed him a million times during the day.

Anyone going through this or have tips for getting baby to eat more?

Re: Anyone have any advice for a snacking baby?

  • My guy snacks A LOT during the day. It frustrates me because my breasts become engorged since he is only taking in 1-2oz instead of his usual 3-5 at night. He gets really fussy too and latches on and off. Sometimes I think he's really distracted. I've tried a number of different feeding positions and none seem to help. I recently discovered when I think he should be eating, he's actually fussy because he just wants a cat nap - so I swaddle him and rock him to sleep. Then when he wakes - usually 15-20min later - I feed him and he's more likely to take to the breast. I fought hard with what I think he should do vs. what he really wants. Listen to your baby and give them what they want instead of trying to fit them into your schedule. Eventually you'll get to understand their habits better which makes for a happier baby and momma.
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  • mars8kmars8k member
    If you really dont have more than 1-2 oz then maybe he'll eat more when your supply builds up, i find lo like breast feeding more than pumped milk bottles so she drinks more from me

    Sorry im not more helpful
  • Mine snacked instead of taking a full feed until I got him on a schedule. Now he nurses about every 2-3 hours for 20-30 minutes instead of every hour for 5-10 minutes.
  • I think they tend to eat more from a bottle because they drink more quickly, so maybe the problem might fix itself with hubby or daycare and bottle feeding?

    Mine does this too and I don't really see it as a problem and I don't mind feeding on demand but i worry about the transition to bottles when I go back to work.
  • Thanks! Glad I'm not alone. It didn't bother me too much til I brought it up to the pediatrician and she sounded very concerned. I was mostly just concerned he wasn't getting enough to eat but he's gaining weight so I guess I shouldn't be too worried. I'm also hoping it'll correct itself when hubs/daycare takes over.
  • Did they also check for lip tie?  If not, have them check.  Just found my lo has this as well as tongue tie, and reading feeding issues with lip tie, this is her to a t.  Snacking is one of her biggies.
  • My LO did this as well and it did resolve with time. From my research it sounds to me like "grazing" or on demand small meals is a normal baby behavior...wonder if maybe your ped is not super familiar with how breastfed babies' schedules and feeding patterns are different than formula fed?
  • Did they also check for lip tie?  If not, have them check.  Just found my lo has this as well as tongue tie, and reading feeding issues with lip tie, this is her to a t.  Snacking is one of her biggies.

    Yep, he had both and both were taken care of. Just said tongue to type quicker. :)
  • Did they also check for lip tie?  If not, have them check.  Just found my lo has this as well as tongue tie, and reading feeding issues with lip tie, this is her to a t.  Snacking is one of her biggies.
    Yep, he had both and both were taken care of. Just said tongue to type quicker. :)
    How quickly did you find it made a difference in feeding?  Just curious.  She has only had the tongue tie looked after, hopefully the lip ties next week.  I'm only worried because I think my supply is decreasing as her sucking/latching decline.
  • After a day or two it stopped hurting and then I was slowly able to build up my supply by feeding him all the time. I was worried it wouldn't be effective at all which sometimes happens but there was definitely a noticeable change after he got used to his new range of motion. :)

    Try to pump often too if you're worried about supply.
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