Hi Moms,
I am really concerned about my three-month-old daughter. She is exclusively breast-fed and is just getting over a stuffy nose for which she has been taking antibiotics. She has been very reluctant to latch on and eat well over the last couple of weeks. At times, she does beautifully and eats for at least ten minutes. Other times, she will latch on and eat for a couple of minutes and then pull away like she's just not hungry. I have tried giving her a bottle instead, but she won't take that either. She seems happy and always has wet and/or soiled diapers. I am just worried because she isn't always eating every 3-4 hours. Does anyone have tips or suggestions? Does anyone else have a baby that goes longer than 4 hours without eating sometimes? Thanks so much!
Don't worry. She will eat when she is hungry. She won't starve, although it would seem that way to you. She might be getting that rare early tooth, or something.
I'm no doctor, just a mom of a 3.5 yo son and a 4.5 month old daughter. I think your little one's fine. :) It's normal for feedings to start spacing out a little and, when she goes through growth spurts, to squish back together again. As long as she's having a reasonable amount of wet/soiled diapers, you're good. Unlike for bottle fed babies, we breastfeeding moms can't really measure baby's intake except via her contentment level and diapers. My little girl started feeding every 1.5 to 2 hours recently -- i think my milk supply was waning because I wasn't eating very well during a very busy time -- so I started eating better again, drinking water during nursing, and started her on rice cereal before bedtimes (she LOVES it). And feedings started spacing out again (thank goodness, I was getting sore!)...
You've received some great advice. It might also ease your mind to check her weight. As long as she isn't losing weight, you should not worry. Most doctors will let you drop in for an impromptu weight check.
My daughter has done the same thing too (she is now 9 months old). I would call the on-call nurse at the doctor's office, but she always assured me (and the doctor too) that as long as she is still has wet and poopy diapers she was fine.
But if you aren't certain, call your doctor.
If it sounds like she is conjested, you can try steaming up the bathroom by running a hot shower, and nurse her in the room. This seemed to help when my daughter had a stuffy nose. I also found that her appetite waned when she was not feeling great, so don't worry as long as there are no signs of dehydration. I pumped during these times to keep my supply up. Best to you!
Hi K.,
Have a doctor check her ears....this is indicative of ear infections/fluid in the ears. Sweet oil is perfect to clear this up. You buy it at the pharmacy but its over the counter and just put a drop in each ear. It thins out the fluid/mucus to allow it to drain.
Hope she's feeling better.
K.
As babies get older their tummies expand so they can eat more at each sitting, and go longer in between feedings. While it may seem like she is eating for the same amount of time, it is because your milk supply has adjusted to her demand for more food, so she is getting more in the same amount of time. She is also becoming more efficient at getting the milk from you.
Babies are the best at knowing when they have eaten enough. If she is not hungry don't force her to eat. If she is hungry feed her. They all go through peaks and valleys as their activity levels change and they go through growth spurts. Especially if she is happy and playful it sounds like she is fine.
Congrats and good luck!
If she's doing well otherwise don't worry. Kids eat when their hurgry, not because a schedule says so and usually alot only during growth spurts.
Hi K.!
You stated that your little one had a stuffy nose for a little while. That is probab;y why she is not eating so much. It has to be hard to breast feed and not really be able to take a breath. I would suggest making sure her little nose is clear before you feed her. This should help keep her nose clear so she can feed for a longer period. They do lose appetite while they are sick so this could be the problem also. If she is still alert and happy and having plenty of diapers I would not be to concerned. If you still have questions you can always call her doctors office and ask. Good luck and I hope she is feeling better soon.
M.
Suck her nose out before she eats. She probably can't breathe while eating.
