And more importantly, your newborn constantly feeding is normal and common. Known as newborn cluster feeding, frequent feeding is her way of getting your body to produce enough milk, especially during a growth spurt. Think of it as nature's way of increasing your breast milk supply.
A hungry or slightly hungry baby will usually not settle to sleep easily and if he does drop off to sleep will wake soon after his feed and be unsettled. If you are breast feeding it is important that you wake him up if he goes to sleep on you- as most breast fed babies will do!
Do you put your baby down to sleep after feeding? He might be crying because of digestion issues, like reflux or gas. Instead of laying him down right after, keep him upright after feedings, even for as little as five minutes.
A newborn should feed a minimum of 8-12 times in 24 hours. That means some might be going every 3 hours and others will be feeding more frequently than 2 hourly. Some babies may feed every 10 minutes every hour.
Some babies may want to nurse every 30 minutes to an hour in the evenings. This is normal, and it does not mean your baby isn't getting enough milk. It may just be your baby's way of filling up before a longer sleep at night.
Your 2 week old baby is about to enter the first of many growth spurts. So, if your little one seems hungrier and more demanding, it's because there's a lot going on! In fact, while your baby at two weeks may seem like a helpless newborn, they're actually acquiring a bunch of new skills — even while they're asleep.
This is a very normal and common behaviour for babies who are otherwise content during other parts of the day, feeding and gaining weight well and are generally healthy.
Growth spurt
Growth spurts (a period of accelerated growth) are separated by growth plateaus (a period of stagnant growth). During a growth spurt, your baby may appear to be hungrier than usual. If breastfeeding, he may demand nursing more often. If bottle-feeding, he might drain the bottle and want a little more.
To start, your baby could be overtired, turning to feedings as a way to comfort himself to sleep. Maybe he's not actually eating, which explains why he's still hungry even though it seems like he had just eaten. He could also have gas, contributing to even more discomfort as he tries to sleep.
It absolutely will not last forever. Usually, cluster feeding resolves within 2-3 days after starting. Also, a few helpful things to remember when cluster feeding is feeling endless: Cluster feeding occurs around developmental milestones — your baby's body is doing important things!
If your newborn is extremely fussy and will not stop crying or sleep, some possible causes include: Your baby is still hungry. Your newborn may be too hot or cold. Your newborn may have a dirty or wet diaper.
They may finally fall asleep, but chances are they will only take a short nap and then continue the cycle for the rest of the day. It's always ok to assist your overtired baby with falling asleep. Once they're well rested, you can get back on track with your sleep goals.
First, make sure baby has a dry nappy and has been fed. Then try holding your baby in your arms until she falls asleep or becomes drowsy. Use gentle rhythmic patting, rocking and soft singing before putting baby into the cot. It takes time and patience but it's worth it.
If you suspect your baby is routinely overtired and seems unusually hard to awaken, it's worth discussing your concerns with your medical provider. He or she may want to screen your baby for signs of irregular breathing or sleep apnea.