My baby is always hungry…what should I do?
If your baby seems to want to feed 24-7 it’s possible she may be going through a growth spurt. These often take place at around three and six weeks, and then at four, six and nine months.
If you’re breastfeeding, your breasts will produce the extra milk your baby needs, although you may feel as if he’s been latched on all day. But if her increased hunger doesn’t tie in to a growth spurt, it’s possible she just isn‘t feeding efficiently. This can happen if she isn’t latched on correctly, so check your technique – a lactation consultant can advise you on this if you’re unsure (see breastfeeding correctly and breastfeeding position dos and don’ts for more help).
If your bottlefed baby seems to want more milk it may be more to do with the flow rate of the nipple you’re using rather than the amount of milk he’s getting overall. It could be he just wants it faster! Conversely, if the flow is too fast for him it could be he’s swallowing a lot of air that’s making him feel full when he isn’t – and as soon as he brings up his wind, he’ll start looking for more milk! As a rule, he needs two to two and a half ounces of formula per pound of body weight so be sure to increased the mount as he grows – he’ll need three to four ounces per feed by the time he’s around eight weeks old; around six ounces at six months and up to eight ounces when he’s approaching 12 months.
Don’t be tempted to give your baby solids before the recommended age and don’t add rice cereal to his formula milk in an attempt to ‘top him up’. Go with his cues for feeding and he should settle down once he’s passed his growth spurt.
If you have any questions about your baby's appetite, you can ask it in the feeding and food area of our answers page. Remember to upload a photo of your baby into one of our galleries, which include newborn and I love my baby.
The information in this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.
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Last Modified: 18/06/2007
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