I am a new breastfeeding mom (ds is 2 weeks old) and things are going really well -- but I have a question about rooting. Is it a reflex that he will do whenever he is prompted, or does it indicate that he is actually hungry? He likes to eat a lot and usually when he starts to root I feed him but I was not sure if we were reading more into the action than was there. thanks!
Stephy Lynn
04-19-2006, 10:33 AM
That's one of the first signs of hunger. You're "supposed" to feed them before they actually start crying. I know this isn't possible all the time, but if you see s/he rooting, then it's time to eat! :D
Namaste
04-19-2006, 10:51 AM
At two weeks, they just want to eat all the time. But, they will root, even up against a man. :0
iKim
04-19-2006, 11:31 AM
At two weeks, they just want to eat all the time. But, they will root, even up against a man. :0
Exactly right. Also, your baby will root if his cheek is touched as well. My son still roots, and tried to latch on to his great gradmother last weekend. :eek:
Kim
SewWhatMama
04-21-2006, 10:34 PM
Just like the other ladies said, at 2 weeks all they do is eat. I know in the beginning you feel like all you do is nurse.....so if he is rooting feed him! Hang in there the feeding time will lighten up soon!
Cog
04-22-2006, 11:51 PM
DD is 10 weeks and still roots. If she isn't hungry and you touch her cheeks or even her lips, then she won't root....but when she's hungry she will.
DH says the other night "um....you need to take her, she's suckling me"
instinctivemama
04-23-2006, 12:10 AM
Ah, rooters. Have one of my own right here (NAK).
I'm convinced that they root when they're awake. They apparently have two states...kind of hungry, and really hungry. Sometimes when she's kind of hungry I'll play with her a little bit (not touching her face) and THEN feed her, if it's been a short time and she's up again.
Several of my kids have latched onto daddy, leading to numerous hysterical responses. He now refuses to go without a shirt around small babies. Good idea...
chanee
10-09-2008, 08:15 PM
lol!!! my babe is 14 days old and came into this world trying to latch!
he has latched thru a shirt and bra onto my mother in law. and my dh
thinks its too funny when he is holding him and he tries to latch onto his nose. that is apparently now the official test of if the baby is actually hungry.
but when hes not actually latching onto anyone nearby he is rooting into them, the bed, or the air. anything. and since he makes distinctly old man faces and sounds, its quite a sight!!
cupcakewright
10-10-2008, 06:55 AM
Well, the good news is you can't over feed a baby breastmilk, they can do nutritive sucking or non-nutritive sucking and sometimes that is all they are looking for. So feed your baby, establish a super milk supply and know that they won't want to nurse all the time forever, one day around 3-4 months they will get really effitient and become better nursers and spread out to every 2.5 to 3 hours but take less time to eat and you will feel more normal. YOu will even be able to get out of the recliner, haha!
