Do LOs generally feed more when unwell?

[Vally]

DD is 3 weeks and has had a cold since birth. She is still suffering and she sounds really mucassy, especially at night. I have taken her to doc to get checked and her chest is clear so he said just bad cold. She seems to struggle at night and I have recently been feeding her every 2 hours sometimes 1 at night. I tend to pick her up before she really cries as she sounds really uncomfortable and also don't want to wake DS. Do you think I am picking her up too soon? She only has about 5 mins a time so do you think I have created a snacker at night or do you think it's normal to feed often with cold? Finally, should I let her crie before picking her up in case I am jumping in too soon?

[Chicane]

Hi Vally

My DS feeds more often when sick. He still does at 16 months. I think its still such early days for you. 3 weeks is still so brand new and she has a cold. I don't think you can create a snacker at this age. My advice would be to go with the flow, feed when she needs to, let her recuperate from the birth experience and her cold (and you too!) also at this age i dont think you can jump in too soon, there is no real structure for another month or more.

Don't worry about bad habits just yet, there is time to work those things out, for the moment give her what she needs, do what feels right for you and hopefully get some rest yourself.

sending you massive hugs
xo

[Vally]

Thanks for such a quick reply. I feel encouraged to go with what feels right as you say even if it means lots of feeding and cuddles.

[Vicku]

I totally agree No need to worry about snacking at all at this young age, and it is good that you're responding to her early signals rather than waiting for her to cry, which is a very late sign for hunger. Also in these early weeks they go through several growth spurts where they need to feed more often, so for getting BF and supply established it really is best to feed on demand/on cue and follow baby's lead. Even more so with a cold.
I hope the cold goes away quickly as it is so awful whe they are ill and so little My DD1 got flu when only a couple weeks old an it was so scary as I worried myself sick. You just follow your mummy instinct and give your LO as much love, cuddles and milk as she wants. There really is no spoiling a newborn