The baby asks for continuous feeding and refuses to sleep: Because the baby is not breastfed enough or the mother lacks milk?

This week, the baby wants to feed continuously, refusing to sleep, making the mother nervous and worried. However, don't panic, mom. Determining the correct cause, the mother will soon overcome this situation. Your baby will return to the correct circadian clock to properly suckle and sleep as before.

Signs that the baby wants to feed continuously and refuses to sleep

Continuous feeding is a baby's need to feed more and for a long time during the day. The time that usually happens is at night, especially in the evening close to night. Not only will the baby demand constant feeding, it will also be accompanied by fussiness.

Just let go of the breast for a few minutes, the baby will cry for the breast. The baby was able to suckle a few minutes, then let go, then fussy and asked for another feed. Just like that continuously for hours. After insisting on feeding repeatedly refusing to sleep all night, the baby will fall asleep longer.

This is really a fear for mothers. While worrying about the exhaustion of the child, wondering if he is full enough, or what am I doing to make him uncomfortable?

Is this situation good for a long time?

Each baby will have different needs and change according to each stage. There are times when the baby eats a lot, sleeps a little and there are times when the baby sleeps more and less. Therefore, babies who want to feed continuously and refuse to sleep do not affect the baby's development.

But not so that the mother let children freely "eat according to need". Even adults themselves, when we "feel full", we are too full. Children are young so it is difficult to avoid this situation. Therefore, mothers should control the amount of milk and food of the baby as well as breastfeed properly.

Cause the baby wants to feed continuously and refuses to sleep

The baby is not getting enough milk

The first years of life are the time to perfect the body. Therefore, the baby's stomach is also proportional to the development of the body. Demand for suckling also increased gradually.

The milk requirements of babies in infancy are usually:

6 - 7ml / breastfeed for newborn babies

22 - 27 ml milk / breastfeed for the baby 3 days after birth

40 - 60ml of milk / meal for babies 1 week after birth

60 - 120ml / breastfeed for 2 weeks old - 2 months old.

To meet the increasing demand for milk each day, the baby will increase the frequency of feeding to soothe the "hungry stomach". Signs that the baby is nursing enough needs are: the mother's chest is no longer tense, the baby pee enough 7 times / day, the baby's psychology is comfortable, the baby is not fussy, ...

Weak ability to suckle

Depending on the location, each baby's suckling will be different. If the baby is born premature or has mouth problems (canker, thrush, ...), the suckling power of the baby will be weaker than the same age.

Because of weak suckling power, the baby has to suck many times to provide enough energy for the body.

Low milk, lack of milk or no milk

In the first days after birth, breast milk has not returned much, so it falls into a milk shortage. Diet when lack of nutrients or how a mother's breastfeeding affects lactation. Or the speed of breastmilk at night is quite slow, causing the baby to feed many times.

Another cause of baby feeding constantly refuses to sleep

Sometimes babies want to feed continuously and refuse to sleep because they only feel safe when they are pressed against the mother's familiar breasts. This means that the baby just wants to be close to his mother, but not really hungry.

Or maybe the nipple on this breast does not fit the baby's mouth, so the baby rarely sucks, keeps crying and wants to suck the other nipple from the mother's side. There are also cases where the baby is sleeping while sleeping, so the mother thinks the baby wants to feed continuously.

Some tips to deal with when your baby wants to feed continuously and refuses to sleep

Soothe your baby in many ways

The mother can carry the baby to breastfeed while still being able to do other things. Or you can go out for a walk with your baby in a cool place for a better mood.

Soothing with music, massage, talking with your baby are also effective ways to help your baby lessen. If you are too tired, you can give your dad a little lift and then rest before coming back to carry the baby.

At night, you should just leave the night light dim, keep quiet so your baby can sleep again. If the baby has oral thrush (canines), the mother should open the baby's mouth with normal saline. If the baby has many fungi, the mother should take her to the pediatrician and use antifungal oral medicine.

Breastfeeding "on demand"

Because the baby is young, the "hunger schedule" is not fixed, but there will be fluctuations in time difference. Mom do not be too rigid or schedule exactly how many hours between feeds. Instead, mothers should "suckle on demand" for babies. When hungry, the force of sucking breast milk, babies will suckle faster and get more milk. The mother's milk glands are also stimulated to secrete easily.

Mother should proactively recognize the signs of hunger to breastfeed time. Typically, the baby will bury his head in the chest of the person who is holding, pulling clothes to attract attention, stirring constantly, fussy, ...

Feeding your baby properly

Sitting in the right position to breastfeed will help the mother feel comfortable and the baby can breastfeed more. The correct breastfeeding posture is:

Hold the baby with two hands so that the baby's face is facing the breast.

When the baby is latched, the mother should hold the baby so that the baby's belly is close to the mother's womb and the baby's chin should touch the mother's breast, the head and body should be in line.

Mom should let the baby's mouth need to open wide and suck all the areola area. At this time, milk can be secreted more easily.

A little secret is that the mother should breastfeed her baby one after another and then switch to the other, giving priority to pregnant with a little milk. Your baby will suckle the last milk rich in nutrients and stimulate the mother to produce new milk.

After feeding the baby, the mother should burp the baby for about 20 minutes. This will expel the gases trapped in the baby's stomach. Your baby will drink more milk, be fuller for a long time and sleep better.

Besides taking care of the baby, do not forget to eat well and rest properly. Especially not too fast when staying at home. Mom should strengthen the menu to add healthy foods for mothers to benefit their babies !

Mom do not panic when the baby wants to feed continuously and refuses to sleep! Applying the above tips one by one, your baby will be good and eat and sleep right away!

See more:

The baby suddenly quit bottle feeding: Cause and treatment for the mother

What should mothers who are breastfeeding eat to ensure enough nutrition for both mother and baby?

Breastfeeding properly, not all mothers know!