Question
The baby is 19 days old and is experiencing the following issues again. 1. Daily bowel movements are frequent, about 8-10 times. 2. Feeding takes a long time, about 40 minutes each time. 3. The baby is tired but won’t sleep, cries, and needs to be held.
Answer
The baby has frequent bowel movements, which may be due to poor digestion and absorption or possibly due to catching a cold. The baby’s long feeding times might be because of insufficient breast milk if breastfeeding; otherwise, it’s generally sufficient within 10 to 15 minutes. If the baby falls asleep comfortably while being held, it’s advisable to gently place the baby down after they’ve entered a deep sleep. Also, be sure to keep the baby warm and avoid catching a cold.