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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Right now is grueling but simple: the baby has a tiny stomach and so it needs to eat a lot to get bigger, and as part of that process get a bigger stomach so that it can go longer between feeds (and sleep longer). When it’s not eating, it will be asleep or crying. Change it when it’s wet (the diaper should change color). You can wait to change a wet diaper but should change a poopy diaper immediately. There probably will not be a clear schedule until closer to four months.

Formula or breast milk is fine. Breastfeeding is harder at first but—if you and baby get the hang of it, which isn’t guaranteed—easier eventually. As long as the baby is eating and growing and alive, you’re doing it right. [/quote]

The hospital told us feed every 3 hours. He is eating every 2 hours. Last night he was up every 1.5 hours ready to eat. Feeding takes 45m - 1 hour and he eats again 1 hour later. He is feeding way more often than the hospital told us to feed him. Sometimes I wonder if he is getting enough because he seems like he always wants to eat.

We have been changing his diaper every 1.5 hours but I wonder if that’s too much. His blue line isn’t that bad on his diaper.

Sometimes he cries for no reason. Last night he cried for like 10 minutes. Nothing helped and then he just fell asleep.

[/quote]

If you’re worried he’s not eating enough, have a lactation consultant do a weighted feed—they weigh the baby before and after it nurses to see if it’s actually getting milk. Since it’s only been 5 days, it’s possible your milk hasn’t fully come in yet (mine took a week and after that I was able to breastfeed exclusively). If the baby isn’t getting enough breast milk, the lactation consultant can give you advice about whether to supplement with formula. (I supplemented with formula before my milk came in, and I was still able to breastfeed exclusively later—so try not to worry too much if you get this advice.) there are lactation consultants that come to your home. You may also be able to find a breastfeeding center or group that has walk in hours.

It may be that the baby isn’t getting enough milk, which you can know for sure after a weighted feed. But it might also be that he is hungrier than average, fussier than average, or needs to eat more often. At this stage, there’s a lot of unpredictability.

Good luck! [/quote]

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