Breastfeeding situation- comfort vs. growth spurt?

[Kelsey5783]

DS is 7 weeks old and has been much more alert this last week. He even started smiling at us this week! He has also had a harder time going to sleep. He will get fussy and worked up- almost to the point of being overtired. Nursing used to help put him to sleep but less so now.

For the last three and a half hours (4:30-8), he has nursed four different times for over 15 min each. This is highly unusual. I also pumped 3 oz during that time period. When he unlatches I lay him down to sleep and he won't stay asleep like he used to. Clean diaper, burps, walk around. He is still fidgety so I offer again and he feeds again.

He was congested all last week and couldn't breathe well so he would feed 5 min a time, every hour.

Is he over his cold and eating to make up for it? Has my milk supply lessened? Is he nursing for comfort or having a growth spurt? Ideas?

[imjustjessa]

There is a HUGE growth spurt around six weeks, I'm betting his wanting to nurse more to do with that than anything else. Completely normal, and no need to worry.

[Hollysmom]

It could be a growth spurt, or that he's hit a developmental growth spurt (which is what it sounds like since you said he's more alert and started smiling). Have you heard of the wonder weeks? Google it, it describes periods of fussiness and wakefulness during times when babies hit developmental milestones. There is one around 8 weeks and sometimes they can coincide with physical growth spurts. My son just went through the 5th wonder week and what you described is exactly how he's been. He'll be 6 weeks old Friday. HTH!

[Nerissa]

sounds normal to me. Plus there is the general evening fussies. DD nurses for nutrition/comfort almost every hour to 1.5 hours from about 5:30 till 9:00 when she goes down for the night. She is 4 months and has been doing this since birth.