Expert: ruth kraft - 8/7/2009

Question
Hi, my baby is 3 weeks old and weighed 8lb 2oz at birth and no matter how much I feed her she is still hungry often crying inconsolably. I have been demand feeding and she will take both breasts in one feed for around 40 minutes each breast and then cries with hunger. Particularly during the day she will feed almost constantly. I'm not sure whether there is a problem with my milk supply, when I have tried to express I have been unable to get more than 1oz from each breast or whether she is just very hungry.

Answer
it is very normal for a baby to want to feed ALL the time and act as though they are hungry all the time during the first 6 weeks. That doesnt indicate something is wrong. Is she having 6-8 wet diapers a day? dirty diapers? If so, she is getting enough. If you want to you can check with the lactation consultant at your hospital to evaluate her latch to make sure she is efficiently nursing.  you can also check out the videos at www.drjacknewman.com.  so you can see what it looks like to tell how the baby is getting enough milk.  I would check the latch, pay attention to the diapers and then you will know for sure :) Expressing 1 ounce from each breast at 3 weeks is actually pretty good. Especially because the baby is a MUCH more efficient nurser than the pump ever will be :)

good luck!
www.honoringwomen.com