nursing on demand

[@llli*lostchick]

ok-my baby turned 1 month yesterday. We have been nursing on demand since the beginning. Everything is going great, but I wonder if I am over feeding. He nurses at least every 2 hours, usually closer to every hour even at night. I'm ok with it, but he always, ALWAYS has poo in his diaper and I wonder if he has stomach pain from too much feeding. I am also wonder if he is getting adequate sleep if he is waking so much to nurse. I tend to bring him to breast any time he cries. Is this a horrible habit that I am going to regret latter? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[@llli*juliet1]

Originally Posted by @llli*lostchick

ok-my baby turned 1 month yesterday. We have been nursing on demand since the beginning. Everything is going great, but I wonder if I am over feeding. He nurses at least every 2 hours, usually closer to every hour even at night. I'm ok with it, but he always, ALWAYS has poo in his diaper and I wonder if he has stomach pain from too much feeding. I am also wonder if he is getting adequate sleep if he is waking so much to nurse. I tend to bring him to breast any time he cries. Is this a horrible habit that I am going to regret latter? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Congrats on your baby.
It is completely normal for babies to feed this often. Especially if you're feeding on demand, because you're following LOs cues about when he's hungry. I feed on demand, and my dd ate every 2 hrs until she was about 3 or 4 months old. The time between feedings will increase as they digest the bm more efficiently. Right now, their tummies are new so any thing in=any thing out pretty much. Also, bm digest rather quickly, in about 90 minutes. Babies typically won't overfeed. They'll know when to stop especially if bfing. They will go through growth spurts in which they might want to bf every hr, (called "cluster feeding")especially @ night, may be fussy. Some sleep more others sleep less while going through growth spurts. He might be going through one right now. They occur around 4 wks, 6wks, 12 wks I don't remember that time frames, but you can get some information on www.kellymom.com about them. They last anywhere from several days to a week. But, 2 hrs is perfectly normal, good and lucky. Some eat every 45 min-1hr. without a growth spurt.

Unless you baby is crying nonstop, I don't think he has stomach pain and won't worry. They'll fuss quite a bit when they feel gassy or are in pain.

If he takes the breast when he cries, then he was probably hungry or needed comfort. You are doing a great job mama . His comfort is the breast, so bringing him to "comfort" is NOT a bad habit, you're listening to his needs and reading his cues. You're following your mommy instincts You're also showing him that when he needs you, you are there to comfort him & meet his needs. In essence, building his trust which is very important. It's his basic need until he gets a little older.
I used to struggle with that, too, thinking I would "spoil" my dd. That's is definitely not the case, they CANNOT be spoiled at this young age. Right now is when they need you for comfort, reassurance, security, and EVERYTHING. Comforting him will help him become confident and independent when he's older.

My dd is 5 1/2 months, and she's not spoiled. She's very outgoing, happy, growing wonderfully, independent, seems secure (attachment wise), and only cries if she needs something. So don't be alarmed. It's just them being growing babies, and you just being a mommy. Welcome to "mommyhood"

[@llli*zplum]

with pp. Everything I would have said, Juliet covered! Congratulations on your new baby. And don't worry about spoling, can't be done. Just listen to your instincts mama. You're doing great!

[@llli*ethans-mommy]

Originally Posted by @llli*juliet1

Congrats on your baby.
It is completely normal for babies to feed this often. Especially if you're feeding on demand, because you're following LOs cues about when he's hungry. I feed on demand, and my dd ate every 2 hrs until she was about 3 or 4 months old. The time between feedings will increase as they digest the bm more efficiently. Right now, their tummies are new so any thing in=any thing out pretty much. Also, bm digest rather quickly, in about 90 minutes. Babies typically won't overfeed. They'll know when to stop especially if bfing. They will go through growth spurts in which they might want to bf every hr, (called "cluster feeding")especially @ night, may be fussy. Some sleep more others sleep less while going through growth spurts. He might be going through one right now. They occur around 4 wks, 6wks, 12 wks I don't remember that time frames, but you can get some information on www.kellymom.com about them. They last anywhere from several days to a week. But, 2 hrs is perfectly normal, good and lucky. Some eat every 45 min-1hr. without a growth spurt.

Unless you baby is crying nonstop, I don't think he has stomach pain and won't worry. They'll fuss quite a bit when they feel gassy or are in pain.

If he takes the breast when he cries, then he was probably hungry or needed comfort. You are doing a great job mama . His comfort is the breast, so bringing him to "comfort" is NOT a bad habit, you're listening to his needs and reading his cues. You're following your mommy instincts You're also showing him that when he needs you, you are there to comfort him & meet his needs. In essence, building his trust which is very important. It's his basic need until he gets a little older.
I used to struggle with that, too, thinking I would "spoil" my dd. That's is definitely not the case, they CANNOT be spoiled at this young age. Right now is when they need you for comfort, reassurance, security, and EVERYTHING. Comforting him will help him become confident and independent when he's older.

My dd is 5 1/2 months, and she's not spoiled. She's very outgoing, happy, growing wonderfully, independent, seems secure (attachment wise), and only cries if she needs something. So don't be alarmed. It's just them being growing babies, and you just being a mommy. Welcome to "mommyhood"

Originally Posted by @llli*zplum

with pp. Everything I would have said, Juliet covered! Congratulations on your new baby. And don't worry about spoling, can't be done. Just listen to your instincts mama. You're doing great!

Great advice!

[@llli*tmwmommy]

The pps are all correct! It is great that you are nursing on demand!

[@llli*elimaka]

with pps
and my LO still nurses every 2 hour at 6 mos...not at night luckily!!!
good job mama!

[@llli*dara]

Originally Posted by @llli*elimaka

with pps
and my LO still nurses every 2 hour at 6 mos...not at night luckily!!!
good job mama!

my DD nurses every 2 hours at 7 months, but less frequently overnight luckily! she did when she was up to 2 mos, but now usually wakes just once to eat.

And yes, I let her use me as a pacifier

[@llli*baby.mum]

I don't have anyhting else to add, except:

Congratulations on doing such a great job!
One momma said around here that our breasts are the original pacifier and I find that to be very true. Just let him comfort nurse, even through criticism, because you are creating a strong bond that communicates to your LO that you are there for his needs and that will make him a much confident child in the long run.

[@llli*sarahekd]

Originally Posted by @llli*lostchick

ok-my baby turned 1 month yesterday.

!

he always, ALWAYS has poo in his diaper

I feel your pain. My little guy pooed All The Time. We had blowouts. In my lap. My husband would start to help, and then go get the camera.

I don't want to make light of your situation since you're worried about stomach pain. Is your little guy showing any other signs of stomach pain? It's pretty normal for a 1 month old to poo a lot. If there are no other signs of trouble, and the color and consistency of the poo looks "good" (can poo look good??), he's probably doing ok. Sounds like he's being fed enough

In other news, this (non LLL link) might at least make you giggle.

It sounds like you're doing great! Don't feel guilty about meeting your baby's needs. They'll only need you like this for such a short time

[@llli*julisuz]

with everyone! Hang in there, mama!