Patient's question:
My baby is 11 days old today, and she is breastfeeding. In the past two days, she has been sleeping during her nap sometimes for less than an hour, and sometimes she wakes up after an hour, crying for milk. The time she spends eating varies, sometimes long and sometimes short. Last night, she needed to be fed every few hours, and even after eating, she wasn't satisfied for a long time. During the day, she eats every two or three hours, sometimes every three or four hours. What could be the reason for this?Doctor's answer:
Parents, as you described, your baby is entering a growth spurt, and their milk intake is gradually increasing. You need to pay attention to the following:1. Let your baby have a good nap. During a growth spurt, babies need more sleep than usual to ensure the normal release of growth hormone, so it’s essential to let them rest fully. Additionally, when feeding your baby before bed, you can extend the feeding time by a few minutes to increase nighttime feedings, helping them sleep more soundly.
2. Ensure your baby’s milk intake. Babies during a growth spurt are very hungry and always want to nurse. At this time, feeding them 15–16 times a day is perfectly normal. Moms should have confidence in themselves and avoid offering formula randomly (if your baby is formula-fed, we can slightly increase the amount of milk at each feeding to ensure they are well-fed).