Newborn always hungry and pooping....

[Anonymous]

Every hour. DD is three weeks old. I think my milk supply is fine but I feel like I don't have enough to feed her because she is always hungry. Already thinking about formula supplementation because we can't go on this way with the hourly crying for more than an ounce or two of milk. My boobs are spent. She cries and cries and I can't even tear away to pump for 15 mins unless I just let her CIO but I feel like I have no choice. Even if i hold her she just wails and tenses her body up. I don't have family close by, DH went back to work after one week. Is this normal for a newborn to cry so much for food, and too dirty like 12+ diapers in a day? Ped said she's in perfect health. She only calms down when I breastfeed but jeez it feels like my nipples are going to fall off. Has anyone supplemented in order to resolve this kind of situation? is this just how it will be for next few months?

[maril332]

is she feeding? maybe not hungry but likes to suckle.

pacifier?

[Anonymous]

Everything she's doing is entirely normal for a baby. But mommy happiness and baby health are intrinsically tied together. She sounds hungry and you sound tired. Try supplementing - may be just what you two need!

P.S. don't let her CIO - she's too little

[Anonymous]

If you want to boost your supply, the best thing you can do is nurse whenever she wants. She's only 3 weeks old, after spending 40 weeks, give or take, in your womb. Her little body is still adjusting, her gut is working out digestion and popping, and she really just needs the warmth and comfort of her mother. Give it a few more weeks and she'll work this whole 'being born' thing out

It sounds like you are exceptionally caring - I'm sure you're giving her everything she needs and then some.

[Anonymous]

Normal. Doesn't make it easy. I'm sorry. She may be having a growth spurt or it may be colic.

[Anonymous]

Totally normal - but go ahead and supplement if you think it will help. And let your DH do that, while you SLEEP.

[Anonymous]

Very normal. Is she gaining weight properly? You sound tired, OP. Hang in there, promise it gets better.

[Anonymous]

maril332 wrote:is she feeding? maybe not hungry but likes to suckle.

pacifier?

+1. Have you tried a sling or other carrier between feedings? Tried going for walks;to distract her and lull her to sleep?

If she's gaining good weight and so many diapers, she may be just looking for oral comfort. Listen to see if she's swallowing and watch her temple and Adam's apple area (I know she doesn't one) to see if she is swallowing or just snuggling. Or see an LC. That said, the sixth week was a huge milestone for my DD needing to suck less and sleeping by herself. Hopefully, your DD will also turn a corner soon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:1. Every hour. DD is three weeks old. 2. I think my milk supply is fine but I feel like I don't have enough to feed her because she is always hungry. Already thinking about formula supplementation because we can't go on this way with the hourly crying for more than an ounce or two of milk. My boobs are spent. She cries and cries and 3. I can't even tear away to pump for 15 mins unless I just 4. let her CIO but I feel like I have no choice. Even if i hold her she just wails and tenses her body up. I don't have family close by, DH went back to work after one week. 5. Is this normal for a newborn to cry so much for food, and too dirty like 12+ diapers in a day? Ped said she's in perfect health. 6. She only calms down when I breastfeed but jeez it feels like my nipples are going to fall off. Has anyone supplemented in order to resolve this kind of situation? 7. is this just how it will be for next few months?

1. Every hour.
Yes, that is what newborns do. They eat constantly. Every hour. Their task in life is to grow, which means they eat and they sleep. That's about it for the time being.

2. Milk supply.

I am sure that your milk supply is fine, and that it will get better if you just feed her. The more you nurse, the more milk you will make, and the more you can satisfy her hunger.

You do not need to supplement. You say that she is getting an "ounce or two" of milk but how do you know this? If you are judging based on the pump, then stop - the pumped output does NOT reflect your output, not at all.

3. Pumping.

Why are you trying to pump at this point? Don't. Just stop. No need to pump now. Just establish BFing with your baby.

4. CIO
Please, PLEASE do not let her "CIO." She is a baby, she needs you. You do not need to pump and you do not need to let her cry.

5. Is this normal for a newborn to cry so much for food, and too dirty like 12+ diapers in a day?

Yes, it is completely normal.

6. She only calms down when you breastfeed.

Yes, that is how newborns are wired. It's ok!

7. Is this just how it will be for next few months?

Yes, this is how it will be for a time, but it will ease up after another month or so. Supplementing will not change this; it will only create problems vis-a-vis your milk supply (further frustrating you).

Think of it this way: Your job for the time being is to breastfeed, sleep, and eat. Everything else is secondary. It is ok to let things go, it is ok not to pump, it is fine to spend hours watching TV or cruising the Internet while your baby nurses. It is productive and necessary to do so, in fact.

Hang in there. You are doing great. Really you are. If the ped says she is very healthy and she is soiling that many diapers a day, you are doing GREAT.

[Anonymous]

I don't think that is completely normal as she should also be sleeping during the day. Nothing but crying and nursing sounds like a baby in discomfort.

I would try supplementing and see if formula clams her at all.

Feeding lots and pooping lots is normal but crying all day other than when feeding isn't.

[Anonymous]

This is what my first child was like. It was like what my second baby was like until I eliminated dairy products from my diet.

Others may have different experiences, and this may not be what is happening to your babies-- there are SO many early issues that can be nursing-related, like foremilk/hindmilk imbalance and so forth, esp. with first babies-- but as soon as I cut out dairy, the poops diminished greatly (although newborns still poop around the clock, often for the first 2+ months), as did crying.

Hang in there. It might interest you to know that in major studies of infant crying, the majority of parents assumed the crying was due to hunger or tummy aches, but these typically were not the reasons. And that in traditional cultures, babies often nurse at maximum every 13 minutes or so, but much more frequently than baby books tell us to expect or encourage. You may not like it, and that's fine-- do what you need to do, pacifier- or supplementing-wise. But the frequent desire to suckle does seem like an inborn human trait.

[Anonymous]

BTDT. It doesn't last forever. Every hour is totally normal--keep nursing and your supply will continue to increase. The first month or two, I felt like I did nothing but sit on my couch, nursing my baby and watching Dr. Phil.

Please don't consider any kind of CIO. Even the authors recommend waiting until 4-6 months. She doesn't need to learn to soothe herself to sleep, she's crying because she wants your milk. Give it to her, and trust that this too shall pass.

[Anonymous]

This is the story of most new mothers. Sorry, OP. This will eventually pass. Stick it out and you soon won't remember it.

[Anonymous]

Use the pacifier to give yourself some relief!!! She probably just wants to suck.

[Anonymous]

It's normal. Give her a pacifier.