Not Eating or Eating Big Meals????

Do not worry, try to feed him even if he does not want, try to wake him up by putting the nipple on his mouth, it is going to be difficult but keep trying. I had the same problem with my 3rd baby and I know how you feel. My Doctor explained that some babies take longer to realize they are not in the woom anymore and they just want to sleep all day, but as I said keep trying. every 1/2 put the nipple on his mouth and you see he will star suckin it.

Not to be an alarmist, but you should call the dr. At 4 days old the baby needs to be eating more frequently than that.
Lynsey

R.,

Every baby is different. Is your baby sleeping between meals? What do you think about waking him/her up to eat? If you do wake the baby, is s/he willing to nurse?

A little more info would be very helpful with helping you!

Good luck,
M.

wake him up to feed in between. has he had bowel movement yet?

babies want to sleep. you HAVE to wake them by tickleing, taking clothes off whatever, to get them to eat. Please call the baby's doctor. they will help. your baby needs to eat a lot more.
J.

Please call your pediatrician -- I don't think this is normal.

R., if you are scared, then you need to contact your baby's pediatrician, that's what the doctor is for. If your baby is only eating a couple of times a day, that is not enough. A breastfed baby should be eating 8 to 12 times in 24 hours, a formula fed baby I think would be 6 to 8 times but I'm not an expert on formula. If it's a breastfed baby, he should be having 6-8 wet diapers and 2-3 full diaper bowel movements per day.
I would contact the doctor. If you have any concerns about your baby, you should contact the doctor. Good luck.

Hi R.,

you may have to wake up the baby until a pattern is established; 10-12 hours in between is too long, as the baby needs to eat every 3-4 hours; tell me if you are breast feeding also as you need more feeding to stimulate milk production D.

OK, this might sound silly. I do not have children. I read this site, and others on infant care, because I work in animal rescue, and I often have young kittens (and their mothers) in my care - very similar to caring for a newborn baby. Mothering is mothering, whether baby has 10 pink toes, or 4 furry paws and a tail.

Anyhow, I always side with nature unless there's an obvious problem. Vets (and doctors) tell us that kittens (and newborns) are "supposed" to nurse every 2-4 hours 'round the clock. Well, some do, and some don't. They all seem to have their own schedules. I have a mother kitty with 5 wee kittens right now. 3 of them nurse all the time, at least every couple of hours, just like the vets say they should.

But, there are 2 who don't. They scare me by refusing to nurse for 12 hours. Just about the time I panic and get ready to break out the emergency bottle and special kitten formula, they decide to latch on & suck away for an hour.

No worries. They're gaining weight and developing normally, and their bowels are working fine.

I think Katie's advice is good. If you want baby to eat more often, wake him/her up to eat, and watch the bowel movements. If it's going in and coming out, all is probably well, even if the schedule isn't exactly what the doctor ordered. If you're really worried, call your doctor and ask, for sure.

And be happy you aren't a mother cat! They don't change diapers - they eat their babies' waste and pass it with their own. Yuck!

You should be offering the little one the breast/bottle at least every two hours. look for as many dirty diapers as he is old. 4 days old, 4 diapers...5 days old 5 diapers... after day 6 there should be 6-8 diapers a day. Also if the baby is very lathargic and sleeping A LOT it could be a sign of dehydration. Call you pediatrition!

the baby is at a risk for dehydration, jaundice, weight loss, low blood sugar and failure to thrive.. Breastfed babies usually nurse every 2-3 hour around the clock or 8-12 times in a 24 hour period. sometimes you need to wake them up. You shoudl contact the pediatrician to have th baby evaluated and for a weight check immediatley.. If the baby is only eating twice a day that is a problem. have you tried supplementing??

Four days old? Is your baby just sleeping all day? That can be very normal to sleep so much then they are first born. Baby should start to be awake more, soon. Try to offer him milk every two hours or so...

Good luck!!

Dear R., If I understand correctly, your newborn is eating for 30 minutes and then either sleeping or just not eating for 10-12 hours. Maybe this is all your baby needs right now. Sleeping is just as important as eating right now. Baby will let you know when he/she is hungry. I hope this helps. Grandma Mary

Hi R.
Call the MD/
Talk honestly to MD. You are your child's advocate. They can't talk, you must.
30 minute meals is not alot and not a long time. Are you trying every 3-4 hours with no success? or are you waiting for new born to cry? Some don't.
Call the MD you need help and information.
Truthfully this is scary for any one of us who read it, I guarantee it. I had a child who didn't cry, and I had one who started crying because he was being fed. You still feed every 4 hours. 3 of my 4 took about an hour to finish their 8 oz bottle, but I know nothing about breastfeeding.
God bless you and give you wisdom
K. -- SAHM married nearly 39 years -- adult children 38,33,and twins 19

I think you got good advice, wake baby to feed and call your baby's dr...if you're not comfortable with the dr...FIND ANOTHER ONE!!!! you should have a peditrician that will be helpful with any and all questions, never be afraid to ask. Also most hospitals offer parenting courses...it's a great resource, not only you to learn, but to meet other people going through the same learning process(with your same fears too). Also check out your local library...some libraries have parenting seminars and classes too...I have 5 kids, and there are still things that come up that i've never seen or heard of before...never be embarassed to learn as another parent said...you are your childs advocate...and honestly dr.s love parents who ask questions!!! Goodluck!!!

You must wake the baby when he/she is so young and only taking 2 feedings/day. This is indeed dangerous. But more to the point, call your pediatrician, or the labor and delivery area of the hospital that your baby was delivered at if you are not established with a pediatrician yet for assistance. Do it now!