Help, baby is always hungry!

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!

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

Originally Posted by WhYSoSuK

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.

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.

Originally Posted by Toronto

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!

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? Totally inappropriate for a 5 month old.

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.

Originally Posted by 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.

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

Originally Posted by Bullseye

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

Ditto.

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.

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."

Originally Posted by Bullseye

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

Yes they are the infant cookies!

Originally Posted by 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.

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.

Originally Posted by llbgal

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.

Originally Posted by llbgal

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?

Originally Posted by Toronto

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.

Originally Posted by Toronto

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.

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.

Originally Posted by 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.

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.