Is your baby still hungry after breastfeeding, and you do not know what to do?
Believe it or not, this is quite possible. In fact, it happens more often than most mothers realize.
If you are new to all this motherhood experience, this will catch you by surprise.
Every parent wants to do everything in their power to support their child’s development of strength and health.
And one of the best things you can do for your kid is to breastfeed. However, things don’t always go as planned, particularly when you’re first starting out.
Not to worry, Parental Questions is here to provide you with all the necessary answers to such questions.
Why is your baby Still hungry after breastfeeding?
If your baby is still hungry and crying after breastfeeding, there is a reason why.
Most parents start to panic and do not know what to do. However, if you know the reason why you can easily rectify the issue:
1. Your baby needs you to produce more milk
The body produces milk to match your baby’s demands.
Your baby is sending the demand message, and soon your body will adapt to supply as much milk as he needs. Therefore, allow him to nurse more.
Take care of your nipples so that they don’t hurt much and increase your fat intake.
Fat is essential in improving the calories content of breast milk, and soon your body will produce enough to satisfy your baby.
2. Growth spurt
Child development occurs in alternating slow and rapid stages.
Increased milk consumption is expected in a growth spurt since breast milk is the source of the nutrients demanded by the child’s body.
Therefore, eat more nutritious food and healthy fats to boost your milk supply.
Your baby will appear hungrier than usual thus need more milk, more frequently than at a stationary phase.
3. You might be holding your baby wrongly
Hold your baby comfortably to give them easy access to your breasts to get full fast.
Else, they will be satisfied and might need more frequent and lengthy feeding sessions to get full.
A proper latch provides comfort and love during nursing; thus, your baby might want to nurse more to achieve the emotional comfort to fall asleep.
4. The hungry look is due to sleeping problems
Since your baby feeds a lot, the reflex after they wake up is to offer them the breast.
Soon, the baby associates waking up and great feeding. Therefore if the child has trouble sleeping and staying asleep, it manifests as hunger.
Won’t sleeping problems have different signs?
A child with sleeping problems will still be overfed, appear hungry or express fussy behavior after feeding—the diagnostic signs are brief naps and irritability on waking.
The baby will have sleep issues will want to provide to put himself to sleep.
5. Your baby is seeking comfort
Again, babies suck sometimes purely for comfort and pleasure. It’s likely that your baby is not hungry but is seeking to fulfill another need.
To test why they are sucking, provide your finger or a pacifier. If your baby is sucking for comfort, they will continue. Else, they will want the reach for more milk.
Read more in a related post: When Does Breastfeeding Get Easier?
Is breastfeeding enough to feed my baby?
Yes, breastfeeding is usually enough to keep your baby full. However, for proper development, feed your baby exclusively for the first six months.
Your milk is the best feeding formula for your baby. However, note that compared to providing formula, yours is less in fat.
How do I increase the fat? The answer lies in your breasts. When you start feeding your baby, the first milk that flows is poor in fat.
It’s easier to suck, but your baby digests it too fast.
Afterward, the hindmilk that’s thicker and richer in fat flows.
Hind milk is essential to keep the baby full. Therefore, ensure your baby thoroughly sucks one great before jumping to the next.
Else, he will be hungry too quickly. Massage your breasts during the latter parts of nursing to boost hindmilk ejection.
Issues of baby still hungry after breastfeeding is pretty common.
Usually, it stems from the baby not sleeping enough, producing less milk, or holding the baby wrong when breastfeeding.
Check if your baby is comfortable when breastfeeding, and do not rush to change them to the other breast.
If you are not producing enough milk, you should consider changing your diet.
Nurse Practitioner at Venus Med Spa
