Breastfed 5 week baby’s sudden fussiness and hunger

I feel like I wrote this myself! My baby is 7 weeks today, about 1 1/2 weeks ago he went from being happy happy calm to fussy unless in my arms. I am currently reading “the wonder weeks!” It talks and teaches about the 10 “leaps” a baby goes through in the first few years of life, developmentally. And it seems to line up with what is going on with my baby. The first “leap” happens around 5 weeks after baby DD- if your baby was born at 40 weeks this might help you! If nothing else it’s an eye opening read, talking about their senses and perceptions. Have you heard about it?

Hello!! My little one is almost 6 weeks and I started to see similar behaviours to what you’re describing with him last week. According to “The Wonder Weeks” app, little ones are in their first leap around this time frame. My little guy seems to be back to his regular routine now after about a week of fussiness. I also had the same experience with eating, he was thrashing at the breast, unlatching a lot, pulling etc. I recommend downloading the app!! I would imagine it’s just because baby is overstimulated from their leap and it will resolve in a few days. Good luck mama 🩷

I was also going to say the 5 week leap ours had the exact same behaviour and then after week 6 is often a growth spurt.

Hi! I’m breastfeeding my second born son, he’s just turned 6 weeks, I remember with my first and just a week ago both my sons got this way too. I was stressed and worried too but I was told by my doctor they go through a growth spurt at around this time. So, if your baby is waking up fussing or showing they’re hungry or fussing when awake try breast feeding when they want, this is called cluster feeding(or their looking for comfort) and they’re just signaling your body to start producing more milk, for their growing bodies. Also, during their wake times if it’s not the witching hour just know their brains are developing more and more, so keep in mind it can be over stimulating for them and sometimes it can be a lot and they’ll be fussy for a short period which feels like a lot to you but trust it’ll get easier, cause it does get easier for you and your baby just breathe🫶

Hi mamas! Thank you so so much for your quick responses and advice! I’ve been reading all morning and also came across the Wonder Weeks mentioned in one of the articles. Thanks!! I’m gonna download and ready more about that now. Appreciate your support ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Also regarding the cracked nipple, I had sore and cracked nipples when breastfeeding my first, it only lasted for the first bit I’m guessing cause my nipples were so sensitive and getting used to being used so I hope that gets better for you, apply warm compresses to them and use nipple cream for comfort when not in use, you could also just pump the one side and feed your little one that milk with a bottle and/or stash it. I was scared of this happening again also when starting to breastfeed my second but it has been so much easier and no cracked or sore nipples this time around. For me, definitely the first time breastfeeding was a struggle with the soreness but it only lasts for so long, it gets better, I encourage you to keep it up, embrace the suck❤️ you’re doing amazing, your grew a baby with your body and now you’re still nourishing your baby with your body!

Breastfeeding on a yoga ball bouncing, was suggested by a lactation consultant during these witching hours. My babe is 5 weeks and, we have one good day and a bad day alternating. I had her on my breast for 4 hours a day ago between 9-12midnight. Definitely a growth spurt. I give her a soother and if she’s not hungry she’ll take the soother. I hope this helps. If you are having issues with supply, goats rue, 4x a day has helped me so much. Xoxo

My baby is almost 5 weeks & is doing the same thing with the nipple and being extra fussy. Try to remember it’s all just a phase. Also, at first she was a super sleepy newborn and would just fall asleep for naps, then as she got more alert she’s needed to be held more often for naps and needs me to get her to sleep when I see her tired queues- otherwise she gets overtired and fussy. At first I misinterpreted this for her being hungry all the time, but she was actually very tired- maybe this is happening for you as well. Also, remember that a bottle or a top up of formula here and there doesn’t negate the benefits of breastfeeding and that your mental health is important too. My baby is breastfed but she gets some formula at night which I have found to fill her up for longer and give me a much needed break. Hang in there mama.

Sounds like she has entered in to her first leap. My friend recommended this Facebook group. I also downloaded the wonder weeks app and paid for the 2 yr subscription. It explains the fussy stages as they enter in to new developmental leaps. And 5 weeks old brings you in to the first leap. Here is the link for the Facebook group. And look in to the app if it is something you can afford. But the Facebook group will be great for understanding when you should be entering in to leaps too and can discuss with people in the same boat! https://www.facebook.com/groups/736842995090289/?ref=share&mibextid=NSMWBT

same here! My baby is almost 6 weeks but she was almost a week earlier than the due date so I guess adjusted age would be 5 weeks? Today she was so fussy everytime I tried to put her down to sleep and once I hold her, she fell asleep ok. She was also very fussy when feeding on tbe breats. Keeps unlatch and latch again which is not like her. I'm praying the night will be better

@Maisha Oh my goodness, 4 hours breastfeeding!! That would traumatise me 🥲 She was fed 17 times on Monday and 16 times last night. It feels like the 1st leap and growth spurt hit at the same time! Thank you for the advice! If she opens her mouth when I touch her lips, it means she’s hungry from what I understand?

@camille Thank you! Yes definitely going through the exact same things!! What did you do about the nipple frustration? I tried laid back position but sometimes it didn’t work so I had to keep unlatching her and she would be so mad. I also did misinterpret her being hungry last night over being tired!! And she got so mad at me for a couple of minutes until I figured out she didn’t want food anymore and just needed to be soothed to sleep 🥲 learning everyday!

@Jesika This is amazing!! Thank you so much for sharing! I’ve joined the group and downloaded the app. Cant wait to learn more to understand her better!

@Juli I’m the same too! She’s about 5 days earlier than the due date as well so looks like we are going through the same period! And yup, I had to co-sleep with her last night for a bit waiting for her to have a deeper sleep then transitioned over to the bassinet. But yeah the breast frustration is still happening. She would twist and squirm with the nipple in her mouth so I had to keep unlatching her cause it really hurt my other one that already has a crack on. I heard it took a few days with some babies but it could be a week for others. I’m here with you mama 😭😭

It’s so hard! I have found that unlatching and relatching her everytime she gets silly helps, my lactation consultant told me to put my pinky in her mouth and tap the roof of her mouth to remind her how to latch properly and then try my nipple- that helps too

@camille Thanks for the tip! I’ll try that next time. Just hope this phase goes away soon lol good luck to us, mamas 😭😭

6 week growth spurt / sleep regression. Going through it too. Apparently it’s the second worst one, first one being the 4 month one 😭 all the best mama

@NomNom Oh dear 😭 good luck to you too mama. I’ve been miserable the last few days. How are you coping? The breast fussiness is killing me!!