Expert: ruth kraft - 5/4/2011

Question
My one month old seems to be unhappy and hardly sleeps unless I am nursing her.Her weight gain is very high since birth and although I know she isn't hungry I am constantly feeding her as its the only thing which stops her crying. She sleeps very little during the day- usually a few minutes at a time throughout the day while nursing and then wakes up when put down. Almost every night she falls asleep at around 9pm for four or even five hours and then is awake but unhappy unless nursing I know this isn't normal but have no idea how to get her satisfied and sleeping. Would changing to bottles help? I have given her a pacifier as I feel she is nursing for comfort most of the time but she rarely takes it. I try rocking her etc but usually end up feeding her again as nothing else works! Any advice greatly appreciated..
Anna

Answer
Hello :) Congrats on the new baby!

Babies often do something called cluster feeding. It typically happens afternoon through evening, then a good patch of sleep then early morning hours they cluster feed again. Sometimes it can be every 20 minutes, sometimes every 90 minutes or anywhere inbetween this is normal and sounds like what you are explaining.

Bottles will not help the issue, because they baby still has the desire to continue nursing, even if a bottle is given. She is also right about now, going through a growth spurt. ( around 5- weeks old ) so the nursing will get much more frequent. If you can get through this time period it usually settles down some. After 3 months of age, babies typically get into a much more solid routine with sleeping and have longer naps at night an during the day.

So although it seems as though it is not normal, it actually sounds like she is right on target. Her need to be held and cuddled and rocked and loved it just as much as her need for food and a clean diaper.  Even comfort nursing is fine and actually very good for brain development and survival skills.

One suggestion is make sure that she is swaddled and asleep. Try letting her safetly sleep on her side and see if that doesn't help her sleep longer as well.

I hope that helped!