Help, baby is always hungry!

[Toronto]

I am a first time father of a taller and heavier than average baby. He just turned 5 months old on Saturday and weights about 19lbs and his feet are starting to stick out of his first car seat. He eats all the time and we think it is time he switched to solid foods but his doctor told us we should wait until 6 months before introducing solids to avoid allergies. The problem is, he might breastfeed for a while and be hungry right after. We have tried to feed him mashed cookies mixed with milk and he seems to like it. My wife says it is getting very difficult during the days as all she does is feed him. Any suggestions from fellow parents are welcomed!

[WhYSoSuK]

i don't think your baby realizes hes full try feeding smaller amounts but more often maybe that'll work

[Toronto]

i don't think your baby realizes hes full try feeding smaller amounts but more often maybe that'll work

He actually does a combination of both large and small. My wife is afraid her milk supply isn't enough for him anymore. Sometimes he will feed for a short amount of time and pull off and want to play, then feed shortly after. Sometimes he will feed for longer periods and fall asleep briefly, then wake up and want to eat again.

He eats about 10 small feeds a day and about 4 large ones.

[mart242]

Go buy a box of infant cereals to supplement That's what we did at 4 months old (he ate some for once or two meals then did not want any until a month later). Just mix the cereal with breast milk.

He might be having a growth spurth. And go buy a bigger car seat ASAP, our son was too tall for the infant seat after 3-4 months.

[kaimui22]

He actually does a combination of both large and small. My wife is afraid her milk supply isn't enough for him anymore. Sometimes he will feed for a short amount of time and pull off and want to play, then feed shortly after. Sometimes he will feed for longer periods and fall asleep briefly, then wake up and want to eat again.

He eats about 10 small feeds a day and about 4 large ones.

wow..10 small feeds??
the nurse at my hospital said that we shouldn't allow our baby boy to take "snacks"..only "meals"..because once he gets accustomed to snacking, he won't sit still for a full meal..making it very frustrating and time-consuming to feed him. we try to feed him about every 2.5-3 hours with MEALS...he used to snack on me every 1/2 or so and he got really fussy when he didn't get his "snacks"..it also didn't allow us to rest up..

try not to let him snack...cut out the small meals and let him have a big meal once in a while then let him rest a bit...otherwise you'll be quite busy!

[Bullseye]

I agree about snacking, bad habit to have started. Breasts are smart, they make as much milk as baby needs as he gets bigger and older, lack of supply is rarely the real issue in these cases.

Mashed cookies with milk, though? WTF are you thinking? :lol: Totally inappropriate for a 5 month old.

[ephemera]

I am sure he is saying the mashed cookies are those infant cookies that are very easy to digest. Our paediatritian recommended the same thing.

I would say not to worry. Be thankful he is hungry. And breastmilk will provide everything he needs. Thats why he is growing very fast too. You can buy special formula at the pharmacy, Its very similar to breast milk and comes in little glass bottles. We later used infalac after my wife couldn't take any more breastfeeding.

[Bullseye]

I am sure he is saying the mashed cookies are those infant cookies that are very easy to digest. Our paediatritian recommended the same thing.

Yeah, you're probably right! I was thinking about Oreo's or something. ;)

[mrcantrell]

Yeah, you're probably right! I was thinking about Oreo's or something. ;)

Ditto.

[ai_c]

maybe he gets distracted easily while eating and thus feeding for a short time only? babies around this age they like to explore their surroundings.

[llbgal]

If your wife is concerned about her milk supply it may be a good idea for her to visit a lactation consultant. Try checking to see if there are free consultants in your area (look for a "well baby clinic" -- you could also try calling the Ontario Early Years -- they may be able to refer you somewhere!)... if that fails call your local La Leche League or lookup lactation consultant in the yellow pages.

Having said that... it may just be your son (and, I hope you don't take that in a bad way!! It is not meant that way). I also remember many many days where I felt my son was simply attached to me... constantly.

I disagree with others about not allowing snacking! When you are exclusively breastfeeding and you are working on a "supply and demand" theory the baby SHOULD be put to breast as often as the baby wishes. Sometimes if a baby is constantly at the breast they are TRYING to increase the supply. What women have to watch is switching sides too frequently. You have to make sure that one breast is drained before switching (to make sure the baby gets the hind milk). Having said that it is also important to note that some babies are EXTREMELY efficient and can drain a breast (and thus, have a full meal) in approx. 5 min. or so.

ALSO wrt car seats -- you need a convertible car seat -- but your son STILL needs to be rear facing, if in Ontario the law indicates:

"When the child outgrows the maximum height and weight of his/her infant seat, you may require a convertible rear-facing seat until your child is ready to be facing forward. The law requires using a rear-facing car seat until:

* the baby is at least 9 kilograms (20 lb.)
* the baby can pull him/herself to a standing position
* the baby is one year old.

The law is a minimum requirement. It’s best to keep your child rear-facing until they are at least one year old or until they have reached either the maximum height or weight limits of the rear-facing seat."

[Toronto]

Yeah, you're probably right! I was thinking about Oreo's or something. ;)

Yes they are the infant cookies!


maybe he gets distracted easily while eating and thus feeding for a short time only? babies around this age they like to explore their surroundings.

This does happen sometimes so we try to minimize distractions. Sometimes if he's feeding and he hears my voice he will come off the breast and try to find me lol.

I disagree with others about not allowing snacking! When you are exclusively breastfeeding and you are working on a "supply and demand" theory the baby SHOULD be put to breast as often as the baby wishes. Sometimes if a baby is constantly at the breast they are TRYING to increase the supply.

I have heard conflicting information about this from many sources. Stopping the "snacking" would probably be a lot less stressful for my wife though.


ALSO wrt car seats -- you need a convertible car seat -- but your son STILL needs to be rear facing, if in Ontario the law indicates:

"When the child outgrows the maximum height and weight of his/her infant seat, you may require a convertible rear-facing seat until your child is ready to be facing forward. The law requires using a rear-facing car seat until:

* the baby is at least 9 kilograms (20 lb.)
* the baby can pull him/herself to a standing position
* the baby is one year old.

The law is a minimum requirement. It’s best to keep your child rear-facing until they are at least one year old or until they have reached either the maximum height or weight limits of the rear-facing seat."

This is very useful information. We just purchased a new 3 in 1 car seat for him. Question for you, does the child have to satisfy all 3 of these points before you can switch to a forward facing car seat?

[llbgal]

I have heard conflicting information about this from many sources. Stopping the "snacking" would probably be a lot less stressful for my wife though.


It DOES pass though.... but, having been there and done that many times... I can certainly relate. ALTHOUGH... she still may want to talk to a lactation consultant who may have more information.


This is very useful information. We just purchased a new 3 in 1 car seat for him. Question for you, does the child have to satisfy all 3 of these points before you can switch to a forward facing car seat?

Yes, my understanding is that ALL 3 must be satisfied. Even if the child may be over 20 pounds they may not have the other physical functions which is why I believe the Ministry put the 1 year old stipulation on it. I have also seen reported many many times (and I think someone posted a link to an article in another thread) that it is actually safer to leave rear facing even beyond 1. However, if the child's legs are touching the seat... that may not still hold true.

My first was (and still is) a little guy. We did not turn him forward facing until he was about 1 1/2 years old.

[Toronto]

The wife just called and said she couldn't wait and called the doctor (she's a worryer) and asked him. The doctor asked a bunch of questions and told us to start feeding him the cereal that you mix into the bottle to help fill him up a bit more. Thanks everyone for your suggestions.

[getmail99]

The wife just called and said she couldn't wait and called the doctor (she's a worryer) and asked him. The doctor asked a bunch of questions and told us to start feeding him the cereal that you mix into the bottle to help fill him up a bit more. Thanks everyone for your suggestions.

Stupid doctor. A doctor is not a lactation consultant.

My advice is just keep feeding your baby as soon and as long as the baby wants. First you should not give him solid unless at least six month. Your doctor is not up-to-date.

Second, your breast milk increases with demand. If your baby starts solid and drinks less breast milk, your breast milk decreases. Do you know why so many parents quit breast feeding at around six month? Because they think they do not have enough milk. No, just keep feeding, the milk will come.


He eats about 10 small feeds a day and about 4 large ones.


Actually this is good, the 4 large ones are meal and the small ones are for thirsty and snack. I know the mother is very tired and there is why mothers always give up at around six month.

Actually I would say you have a very healthy baby. Just keep breast feeding.


Sometimes he will feed for a short amount of time and pull off and want to play, then feed shortly after. Sometimes he will feed for longer periods and fall asleep briefly, then wake up and want to eat again.


This is normal. Please don't give up. You will thanks me later. :)

[llbgal]

Stupid doctor. A doctor is not a lactation consultant.

My advice is just keep feeding your baby as soon and as long as the baby wants. First you should not give him solid unless at least six month. Your doctor is not up-to-date.

Second, your breast milk increases with demand. If your baby starts solid and drinks less breast milk, your breast milk decreases. Do you know why so many parents quit breast feeding at around six month? Because they think they do not have enough milk. No, just keep feeding, the milk will come.

Actually this is good, the 4 large ones are meal and the small ones are for thirsty and snack. I know the mother is very tired and there is why mothers always give up at around six month.

Actually I would say you have a very healthy baby. Just keep breast feeding.

This is normal. Please don't give up. You will thanks me later. :)

It sounds like you are a lactation consultant... whether you are or are not -- GREAT ADVICE!! This coincides with information my lactation consultant gave me!

[getmail99]

It sounds like you are a lactation consultant... whether you are or are not -- GREAT ADVICE!! This coincides with information my lactation consultant gave me!

Thanks, I am happy someone is listening. The doctors always, yes, I say always give us bad advices on lactation. My doctor did not even know what is nipple confusion, always suggests formula supplement.:mad:

We are not lactation consultant but we learned a lot from http://www.lalecheleague.org/. We cannot keep going without it at the early months.

[sdm242]

He eats about 10 small feeds a day and about 4 large ones.

Think of it this way. How many times to eat a meal, grab a snack or have a drink during the day? Once you factor in all of the times eat OR drink, you'll realize that 14 feeds really isn't that much, especially considering an infant's stomach is so small.

[gemstone]

Been awhile for me but I nursed all 5 of my kids whenever they wanted. They were all chubby babies (before adding solids at 6 months) so they were getting enough milk. As noted above, breasts make as much milk as baby needs as he gets bigger and older, lack of supply is rarely the real issue. I bet it won't improve much even after starting solids. None of mine would use a regular pacifier which made me think I wasn't producing enough milk. Took two kids to learn even though the proof that I was producing enough milk was right in front of me.

It could just be that mom has become a human pacifier. Entering teething stage may make it even worse. A teething ring worked for me once they were able to hold it themselves. I still had to be present though. They wanted to see and hear me. When I felt the last three were nursing more than necessary, the teething ring was introduced. They were just as chubby as the the first two even though they were nursing less.

[jccc]

Just reassure your wife that your baby IS getting enough milk, if he wasn't he wouldn't be growing as well as he is.

For me I think that a lot of the stress with breastfeeding was me THINKING she wasn't getting what she needed, once that worry went away, breastfeeding became less stressful.

I wish that doctors would stick to what they know when giving out advice, especially to tired, nervous first time parents who look to them as people with all the answers.

I'm glad that I kept at it, and that I'm still breastfeeding because at 16 months, my little toddler is quite the picky eater. At least I know she still gets some nutrition from my breast milk.

[Diamondog]

Some babies are very efficient feeders. A baby doesn't need to spend 30 minutes feeding on a breast to conclude it has had a "meal" and not a snack, my girl feeds only for a few minutes each side and she gets all she needs and is growing like a weed she is just a very efficient feeder. We were also told to let her eat when she wants and as long or little as she likes, we have started feeding her solids at 6 months and her breast feeding habbits had no impact on how she eats solids. Oh by the way you will produce as much milk as there is a demand for. There are a lot of "old school" out of date opinions out there unfortunately you'll just have to find what works best for you and your baby.

[sparx]

Good grief, I cant believe some of you are saying no solids before 6 months.


My son was 9.2 when he was born, stayed on the 95 persentile until they quit measuring him. He had his first batch of potatoes when he was 2 months old. Was eating 3 meals a day when he was 6 months old. Now he is 17, 6'5" as healthy as can be and never had an allergy.
Some babies just need food, not all but some. Mothers milk is just not enough to keep them full.
Feed your baby, just try cereals first, I think Rice is the first. If baby is satisfied, keep it at that, if not, try the next one.. A starving baby is not happy one. Niether is mom.
( go slow tho, take a few couple days to see how the bowels handle it Constipated baby is no fun)

[Diamondog]

Good grief, I cant believe some of you are saying no solids before 6 months.


My son was 9.2 when he was born, stayed on the 95 persentile until they quit measuring him. He had his first batch of potatoes when he was 2 months old. Was eating 3 meals a day when he was 6 months old. Now he is 17, 6'5" as healthy as can be and never had an allergy.
Some babies just need food, not all but some. Mothers milk is just not enough to keep them full.
Feed your baby, just try cereals first, I think Rice is the first. If baby is satisfied, keep it at that, if not, try the next one.. A starving baby is not happy one. Niether is mom.
( go slow tho, take a few couple days to see how the bowels handle it Constipated baby is no fun)

Your facts are outdated....probably 17 years outdated...mothers milk is enough, more than enough.....and can produce as much milk as the baby requires...there will be enough milk where there is demand...you'll not find a credible pediatrician advocating food at 2 months...my baby is in the 97th percentile and mothers milk was fine to age 6 months and continues to be the main source of food....of course on solids now.

[gemstone]

I was told no solids before 6 months 25 years ago. My last 2 were 9.3 and 9.8. The 9.8 baby was 5'11 before he was 13 1/2 years old. My sister nursed twins 16 years ago and never gave solids early. A starving baby would not be growing as well as the OP's seemed to be growing.

A 2 month old baby can't even control his tongue and swallow properly. Food may have been going down his throat but it wasn't because he was really eating. Strange that you suggest starting solids early while warning about constipation. I don't remember my babies getting constipated.

[bionicbadger]

I understood that the waiting until 6 months reduces the chances of developing food allergies.

[Diamondog]

I was told no solids before 6 months 25 years ago. My last 2 were 9.3 and 9.8. The 9.8 baby was 5'11 before he was 13 1/2 years old. My sister nursed twins 16 years ago and never gave solids early. A starving baby would not be growing as well as the OP's seemed to be growing.

A 2 month old baby can't even control his tongue and swallow properly. Food may have been going down his throat but it wasn't because he was really eating. Strange that you suggest starting solids early while warning about constipation. I don't remember my babies getting constipated.

Not only is the tongue not ready the digestive system is far from beng able to work efficiently and handle solids well.

[sparx]

Yes, your all right, my baby didn't eat, he didn't swallow, etc etc etc.... Niether did my niece who is 8 months old now and not outdated.

Wonder how all the babies get the milk down their throats without swallowing at 2 months old.:D


Regardless of how old the babies is(under a year), you always always go slow and watch for constipation when introducing new foods.

[llbgal]

Yes, your all right, my baby didn't eat, he didn't swallow, etc etc etc.... Niether did my niece who is 8 months old now and not outdated.

Wonder how all the babies get the milk down their throats without swallowing at 2 months old.:D


Regardless of how old the babies is(under a year), you always always go slow and watch for constipation when introducing new foods.

My MIL told me she started feeding my dh pablum (heavily watered!) at 3 weeks:eek:

The issue is whether a baby's digestive tract is ready for these things... and with new scientific studies it has been shown that it is best to wait until the baby is 6 months old.

This is not to say that your baby will not be able to take the food prior to that time... it is a question of what is most advisable. WHO and APA and, I believe, CPA, all indicate it is best to wait for baby to be 6 months.

BTW: my dh has stomach/digestive troubles and has had hhis whole life... makes me wonder if it is from the food at 3 weeks old!:(

[nalababe]

FWIW, we waited until 6 months to move from breast milk to food. Then started with cereals/fruits, then vegetables. Throughout his first year, he was constantly at 95 percentile for length and >75 percentile for weight. At 3 1/2 he is now 40" and 40lbs and not a bit of fat.

One thing that we read many moons ago was that if switching to formula, babies tended to dislike more bitter foods. Hearsay? Don't remember. However, our little muncher eats all vegetables...actually ate snap peas from the fridge instead of chocolates from the Christmas tree last December! Coincidence. Who knows...but I'd do that exact same thing again!

[shoppingmama]

Good grief, I cant believe some of you are saying no solids before 6 months.


My son was 9.2 when he was born, stayed on the 95 persentile until they quit measuring him. He had his first batch of potatoes when he was 2 months old. Was eating 3 meals a day when he was 6 months old. Now he is 17, 6'5" as healthy as can be and never had an allergy.
Some babies just need food, not all but some. Mothers milk is just not enough to keep them full.
Feed your baby, just try cereals first, I think Rice is the first. If baby is satisfied, keep it at that, if not, try the next one.. A starving baby is not happy one. Niether is mom.
( go slow tho, take a few couple days to see how the bowels handle it Constipated baby is no fun)

Please dont take this advice. My DD was 10+ pounds, was 20 pounds by 4 months old and never had solids until 8 months old(no formula either). More nursing usually means growth spurt. If you need to nurse every hour then that is OK...yes it's time consuming but your baby needs it. Putting cereal in a bottle is NOT a good idea...I cannot believe that in 2007 doctors still tell their patients this :mad: Cereal is also processed and hard on baby's tummy, delay as long as you can. We started with organic steamed fruits/veggies...but really waiting to at least 6 months is best to help save babies from stomach issues later in life.

[shoppingmama]

BTW: my dh has stomach/digestive troubles and has had hhis whole life... makes me wonder if it is from the food at 3 weeks old!:(

I totally see this in my DH too. He was 12+ pounds at birth, started on Wheatabix at a few days old and has had issues all of his life. We are in such a rush to get babies to eat food when breastmilk is the perfect food for the 1st year. If only our parents knew better 40 years ago, it could have saved many of us today from the issues we have.

[getmail99]

At around six months, all the other parents will start question the parents why they don't give solid to the baby (peer pressure from other parents). Just ignore them, I knew a mother whose two DDs have problem with solid food and fed them only breast milk until 1 1/2 years old. Their DDs are smart and beautiful now, no problem.