My Baby is Starving

My baby was up every hour last night eating. This can’t possibly be “normal.” I must not be producing enough for my baby.

As a postpartum doula, these are common things I have heard from my clients. I assure them that although it seems difficult and even abnormal, it usually is completely normal most of the time.

In fact, most babies go through several growth spurts (also called frequency days) during the first 12 months.

During a growth spurt, babies eat more often than usual and as often as every hour. Babies often are fussier than usual during their growth spurts too.

Babies often increase their nursing sessions or bottles when they are working on developmental milestones such as rolling over, crawling, walking, or talking. These new tasks call for an increase in energy.

Growth spurts are common during the first year of a baby’s life. The first growth spurt occurs a few days after birth usually around 7-10 days.

The growth spurts continue and generally occur at:

• 2-3 weeks
• 4-6 weeks
• 3 months
• 4 months
• 6 months
• 9 months

The growth spurts are not the same for all babies, but before doubting your abilities to produce enough, ask yourself if it could be a growth spurt.

Growth spurts usually last 2-3 days, but sometimes can last a week or more.

Follow your child’s lead. Baby will automatically get more milk by nursing more frequently, and your milk supply will increase due to the increased nursing. If you are breastfeeding, there is no need to supplement your baby with formula or expressed milk during a growth spurt. Supplementing interferes with the natural supply and demand cycle and will prevent your body from getting the message to make more milk during the growth spurt.

• If nursing, be sure to take care of yourself. Eat more food and drink more water.
• If formula feeding, speak with your doctor and it is likely that you may have to increase feedings.

This too shall pass. Growth spurts can be stressful for mom and baby. Try to relax and stay positive remembering that it is only temporary. Learn more about what to expect postpartum by considering taking our Breastfeeding or Bringing Home Baby classes.