Can you overfeed a breastfed baby ?“Can you overfeed a breastfed baby?” No, you cannot overfeed a breastfed baby…why do I say this? 1. Your baby will nurse when he needs comfort and nurse when he is hungry…both of these needs should be met.
(read about comfort breastfeeding)
2. Weight of a baby has a lot to do with genetics 3. Breastfeeding protects baby against adult obesity 4. Baby will start to lose weight when he begins to move around, so you could see the extra fat stores as extra energy reserves. 5. Limiting baby’s feeds can limit his growth and brain development Other reasons why baby might be breastfeeding more than usual - Oversupply ~ If baby is breastfeeding a lot and then afterward becomes very gassy, fussy and starts spitting up a lot you might have an oversupply of breast milk. This means that you will need to start letting baby finish one breast before offering the other…in this way baby will be receiving the substantial hind milk too, instead of just watery fore-milk which causes the cramps and/or gas. With the next feeding you can start with the opposite breast. Read more on foremilk and hindmilk imbalance
- Acid reflux ~ This can also cause baby to drink more than usual because baby is trying to calm the pain by drinking more...which escalates the problem even further - Mom might be misinterpreting why baby is crying… other reasons why baby might be crying. - Baby is comfort nursing - Rare reasons ~ Heart failure, renal anomalies, and/or endocrine disorders…which make continued breastfeeding even more essential. How often should I breastfeed? “how much should a newborn eat?”
Breast milk is digested very easily (much faster than formula) and this is why baby will need to drink more frequently.
After a few weeks, mom’s milk supply will be more adequate and baby will have learned how to nurse more aggressively…which means longer periods between feedings. Formula fed babies “overfeeding formula” Formula fed babies will usually drink between 2 – 3 ounces of formula per feed, by six months of age the amount should increase to approximately 6 – 8 ounces, but frequency of feeds usually drops to 4 – 5 times per day. If baby is drinking formula more often than five times per day after about five months then it is time to start adding solids to his diet. Do I need to give baby anything else to drink? Babies who are exclusively breastfed do not need any water or other liquids. Your breast milk has all the water and nutrients baby needs. If baby is not picking up weight due to a low milk supply, mom can supplement with formula and use an SNS, this is a device that can be attached to your breast with a little pipe…the formula comes out the pipe and encourages baby to suck…increasing mom's own milk supply. Video on using an SNS.
Preventing obesity - Breastfeed for as long as you can. It is recommended to breastfeed exclusively for the first six months and then continue solids and breastfeeding for another six months. - Avoid solid foods until baby is 6 months of age - After six months, you should offer the breast first and then the solids, this is so that baby gets most of his calories and vitamins from the best source first. - Never force your child to eat, let him eat when he is hungry. Read more on how to know if your baby is hungry - Make sure baby is getting in enough exercise playing and moving about. Read more on breastfeeding weaning here
Overfeed A Breastfed Baby ~ Developmental Milestones Guide To Age 1 Other pages on “breastfeeding problems” in connection with overfeeding a breastfed baby Leave a commentWant to share your stories? Ask a question or just say hello... What Other Moms Have SaidClick below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...
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