Breastfeeding and Growth Spurts
I am Feeding my baby every hour and they just do not stop breastfeeding. Are they still hungry?
Not only did I ask myself these questions everyday, but I also believed my Child was simply not getting enough milk, leading to worries and frustration. I asked my midwife who was checking his weight at every visit and she reassured me that he is getting more than enough given he is gaining weight steadily. Nonetheless, why did not he stop?
Well, at first I was very worried, just like you are now probably, but let me reassure you that as long as your baby is gaining weight, there is no need to worry about them. If that’s so, why aren’t they stopping and feeding every hour?
First of all, your little one is simply feeling safe with you, why? Because they spent the last 9 months knowing only you and your smell and your voice. Everything else is overwhelming, new, and strangely scary because they did not know it before. Imagine you woke up one day on an Island, whilst you just slept the night before in your bed, how would you feel? Well, that’s exactly how the world feels for our little ones, and it is our job to reassure them that they are safe with us.
Second, in the first few weeks, and months, your baby grows so fast that they simply need to feed very frequently, and yes also all night long, to make sure that they help you build up a good milk supply that meets their needs. This is what is also known as Cluster Feeding. Trust me, as much as it is annoying and exhausting, it is very normal, and the natural way of going through the new born phase.
Third, those growth phases that your child goes through affects their appetite, making them more hungry, and more awake at night sometimes (.. get a child they said, it will be fun they said..). You can save yourself the headache of doubt and just read more about “Growth Spurts”. Those are phases where a baby learns a new skill, unlocks new abilities, or achieves new milestones, which could be as small as realising they have hands, which they can control. Growth Spurts occur often around the age of 1 to 3 weeks, 6 to 8 weeks, 3 months, 6 months and 9 months. Again, each child grows at their own rate, so they may not always occur at the exact times indicated. There are however a few indicators to identify a growth spurt:
Increased Feeding Sessions: Your baby wants to feed more than usual, feeds for extended periods with little breaks in between.
Changes of sleeping patters: This could mean more frequent night wakings, taking more or less naps than usual.
Fussiness: Babies may become more irritated, cry more and cling to you.
Coping up with spurts can be at times challenging, but being aware about the source makes it easier to stay calm and to act accordingly. I personally tried to build a milk stash to help me manage my little one’s increase appetite. So to save myself a few hours of sleep, I tried to pump and store every time I could, and I gave him the bottle of pumped milk before sleeping, either after of before offering him to breastfeed. Additionally, I came in peace with myself by simply accepting that it is ONLY a few days, and it will pass, which helped me stay calm especially during night wakings. Finally, I tried to rest and nap whenever he took a nap at home, because restoring some energy was key for me to cope up.
You will also find your own strategy, but most of all, do not give up, and do not listen to voices that put you down, you are doing a great job!