Baby drinking too much?

Question

My baby is 6 weeks old and she is drinking 36Oz a day... (6Oz every 4 hours), + what ever she drinks when I breastfeed her and she is still hungry. I don't want to give her more.

I was wondering if that is normal and if it's possible that her stomach might be busted.

By the way, I cannot go see a pediatrician because I don't have one, nor a family doctor.

Answer 1

Your baby has natural calorie counters:  Give her however much she wants to eat.  She knows how much she needs.  She'll stop when she's finished, and if she overeats slightly, she'll spit it up.  Let her decide the amount of food she consumes.

Also, you need to find a doctor.  Your child is likely eligible for health insurance if you don't have a job that provides it...

Good luck, and congrats on the new baby!

Answer 2

There's nothing wrong with your baby,she could be having a growth spurt. Babies cannot overfeed so don't be afraid to give her breastmilk. Just make sure she's pooping normal, my baby used to p**p after every meal hahaha she just stopped tho. As long as your baby is having wet diapers and p**p she's perfectly fine. Her little stomach is really little so she eats and poops and is hungry again. U probably have a really healthy baby. And remember when they are growing they eat even more than every two to three hours so don't be afraid. Just like I said before make sure she's going to the bathroom regularly. Oh yeah sometimes they won't p**p for a whole day. That's ok just as long as they p**p the next day :o) ur doing great. But u should have a pediatrician just so you can see how your baby grows and make sure everything is ok. The checkups are also for healthy babys to make sure they are still healthy and if you have any questions.  

Answer 3

Is there a reason why you can't see a pediatrician, because it is not normal for a 6 week old baby to drink that much. Even if it is a growth spurt I have never heard of that. Also it's kind of strange that you don't have a pediatrician, what about your baby's two week check up and vaccinations?  

Answer 4

Wow is this a joke!? I hope so!

Why wouldn't you have FOUND her a doctor...the nurses shouldn't have let you leave the hospital. Your baby should have seen a doctor within 48 hours of discharge. Doctors are for healthy babies and to keep them that way. They are also there to inform people like you who have no common sense.

Where do you live?

Answer 5

You need to find a Dr for the baby there are many reasons why.  But to answer your question that isn't to much she will stop when she is full some babies just eat more than others and since she is going longer than average for her age (usually more like 2-3 hrs between feedings) that means she has to take in more to last longer.  Average is 24-36 oz per day.  

Answer 6

What do you mean, you can't go see a pediatrician or a family doctor because you don't have one?  You have to get one!  

Your baby might just be a big eater.  Does she spit up alot?  My son used to spit up alot more before and he'd eat a ton, because of all he spit up.  

My baby's doctor told me not to limit his intake.  If he's hungry, feed him.  So I'd say that's what you should do with your daughter.  But she certainly should have a doctor that you can take her to to make sure she's ok.

Why are you avoiding seeing a doctor?

FYI, health insurance is not for when someone dies.  That's life insurance.

Where are you from???

Answer 7

Please go find a health care provider. there are so many resources out there to get you free medical care. Please don't let your child get sick and not taken care of, you obviously care about her, get more concerned. and you also obviously have the internet, look up resources. Every 4hrs and 6weeks old that is good!!!!!! perfectly normal, for her. every baby is different. but if she is keeping it down then she is needing it. when she starts puking it up she is overfull.

If she does keep up her eating patterns and just doesn't get full you might want to start a rice cereal in her milk(this is what i have seen done) i believe you want to wait as long as possible to take that action though

Answer 8

maybe a gas bubble on top of her stomach and she thinks she still needs more. my daughter did that.  Do you burp her good?  Put her up on your shoulder for 30 minutes and just see if it is gas.  i would say that is probably a lot for a 6 week old.  is there a planned parenthood in your area or other government resource in your local area?  I'm sure there are government resources for your baby to be seen by someone.  Good luck

Answer 9

CONCERN FATHER

TAKE YOUR BABY TO A CHILDREN CLINIC IN YOUR TOWN PLEASE ALSO THE HEALTH DEPT WILL HELP YOU IF YOU HAVE NO INSUR THEY HAVE DR THERE THAT WILL SEE YOU AND THE BABY AT NO COST ,YOUR BABY MAY BE FINE YOU SAY THE BABY NEVER SAW A DR DID YOU HAVE THE BABY AT HOME ALONE NO MEDICAL TREATMENT AT ALL THEN YOU NEED TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE OK AS WELL HEALTH WISE

I NO THIS SOUND CRAZY BUT IT WILL WORK GIVE YOUR BABY A HALF TEE SPOON OF BABY CEREAL IN HIS/HER MILK AND THE BABY WILL NOT BE SO HUNGRY IT WORKS BABY WILL ALSO SLEEP BETTER

                                    PROPHET B

Answer 10

Overfeeding causes lactose overload, causes the food to go through the baby too fast to be digested, causes the baby to eat too much, which causes lactose overload.  Repeat.

So go to a walk in clinic and/or call La Leche League for FREE breastfeeding assistance.

http://ph.answers.yahoo.com/question/ind...

http://www.babycareadvice.com/babycare/g...

Overfeeding is a common problem for bottle fed babies because many young babies cannot control the flow of milk though an artificial nipple and/or cannot indicate when they have had enough. A baby's digestive system can become overloaded when it receives excessive amounts of milk from large volume feeds or frequent feeding patterns. The larger the volume of milk, the quicker it passes through the digestive tract. Large volumes of milk may pass through a baby's small intestine too quickly for all of the lactose to be digested.

http://www.cryingoverspiltmilk.co.nz/Foo...

Functional Lactase Deficiency describes a thriving breastfed baby who has multiple loose watery stools. The baby may be irritable and may pass flatus frequently. Low fat feeds result in rapid gastric emptying leading to large quantities of lactose being presented for digestion. Thus the ability of lactase to digest the lactose may be overwhelmed. The amount of fat being consumed at any feed should therefore be maximised to delay gastric emptying. This can best be achieved by optimising hind milk intake by:

• Encouraging the infant to finish the first breast before offering the second breast.

• Spacing feeds. Aim for three hours between feeds. If the baby demands again in less than this time offer the "empty" breast again.

As lactose is the main form of carbohydrate in all mammalian milks (including human milk), lactose production at the breast occurs independently of dietary changes. Reducing the amount of lactose in the diet of a breastfeeding mother does not alter lactose production at the breast. It is present at a constant level throughout a feed and throughout a day.

La Leche League

FREE in person breastfeeding support and meetings

International: http://www.llli.org/webindex.html

USA: 1-877-4-LaLeche

IBLCE - International Board of Lactation Consultants Examiners

Listings

http://www.iblce.org/

Answer 11

6 oz every four hours isn't too much. Don't worry that she is eating too much; babies stop when they are full.

If you need to go to the dr. but don't have one maybe you can find a clinic or health department you can go to.