Breastfeeding: Snacking 7 week old?

[radnrach]

I'm going to see the health visitor this week, but would like to hear people's opinions on the matter.

My 7-week old is eating a lot, and often. At night time, (thankfully!) he eats every 2 - 3 hours, but in the day it's almost every hour. He usually empties a breast and I offer him the next one. He usually seems contented, and then soon enough wants more!

Another thing is that his tummy seems really big after feedings - but I thought that breastfed babies can't overeat? I worry he's eating too much.

Last Sunday, I thought he must be going through a growth spurt, but the 'growth spurt' seems to have lasted a little while now.

Mainly I'd like to know: is this normal?

[ljs]

Very normal. At around 6-8 weeks babies have a growth spurt and will feed alot. I remember my daughter and son being latched on nearly all day at this time.

Sorry, in a hurry so don't have much time to write anymore.

oopps, Just re read and saw that you don't think its a growth spurt .

[Dulwich Born And Bred]

Normal indeed, my son was never off the breast for more than an hour or two until he was around 9 months and interested in solids.

[Saffron]

Ditto what HH said, although Little Saff started solids around 5.5 mo. But even at nearly 10 mo, still bfing 5+ times a day sometimes. Can you find a sling to breastfeed in? I foung this really helpful. I had a ring sling, but I think there are even better ones out there if you look.

[craigy]

Ditto. My ds fed pretty much every hour on the hour from 7 till 7 from birth until I gave up breastfeeding at 7 months wheb he weighed 24lb. He was and still is a big boy with big requirements. I am now finding it odd that my 10 wk old dd doesn't want to feed like that and can go 4 hours between feeds! Not what I am used to..

[radnrach]

Thanks for the encouragement, everyone! At least I know I don't need to be too worried, it's just probably that he's a big eater. It does take a lot of time and energy to keep him fed! It doesn't help that one of my friends with the same age baby is going on about how their baby is sleeping through the night and has around 4 hours between feeds.

[EDmummy]

PLEASE don't worry what your friend says about her baby and PLEASE don't worry about your baby over eating. A well fed baby has no connection to an overweight child or adolescent. This type of thinking can be very dangerous for your child's development.

[GinaG3]

radnrach I'm a breastfeeding counselor and want to assure you this is very normal. My baby fed like this as a lot of babies do. Sometimes we would feed for 5 hours solid. It does start to tail off as they grow older and start solids etc. When a baby is breastfed they enjoy the comfort of sucking too just as they would with a dummy.

Don't worry about what other peoples babies are doing at the same age either. No ones baby is the same as another. They all grow and develop at different rates. The good thing about a baby not sleeping long periods in the night at this age is it gives your body even more incentive to produce as much milk as needed for your baby. Also if your feeling tired (its easy when breastfeeding especially in these still quite early weeks) try to take a nap with baby and rest yourself too. It will be better for both of you.

Agree with EDmummy on the 'over feeding' there is no such thing when it comes to breastfeeding! Breastmilk contains very little waste product so all the nutrients are used by the baby, don't let it worry you at all.