8 days old and spitting up lots

Hi,
my 8 day old daughter seems to be spitting up after most feeds, she seems to be constantly hungry (sucking on her fingers and seeking out food). Yet when i offer her my breast milk she eagerly latches on correctly and i can hear the milk flowing into her mouth and her swallowing, it doesn't come out particularly quickly but seems to flow freely when i hand express a little bit. She takes herself off the nipple easily enough seeming content, yet as i move her to burp her, or sometimes before i get that far she spits up everywhere.
it's really starting to get me down, as i am constantly needing to change both me and her and usually mop up around where i am feeding afterwards. she will seem content for a while usually about 15 minutes then want more food, which occasionally she'll manage to keep down.
my mother in law has suggested expressing my milk and bottle feeding her or giving her a pacifier in an attempt to alleviate the suckling, but i'm not entirely sure whether this is a good idea or not.
any help would be much appreciated!

[tiredbuthappy]

Some babies just spit up a lot. The only time it is a concern (aside from laundry concerns) is if the baby is not gaining properly or if the baby appears to be in pain from the spitting up (you would know- there would be arching and screaming along with it). Otherwise, the baby is often labeled a "happy spitter." You can even google the term. No medication is necessary- they outgrow it as their digestive system improves.

It possible that not much will help. However, you can try feeding her in a more upright angle to help things stay down. If she latches willingly and well, you may want to stop her more frequently for burping. Sometimes a mom's let-down is too forceful, which can contribute, but it doesn't sound like that is the case here.

I would try to avoid the bottle for a while. This isn't the type of situation that would warrant it, and since she seems to be latching well, I don't think it would help the situation. In general, they advise waiting a little longer before introducing the pacifier as well. Right now she is suckling because her tummy is tiny and needs to be frequently filled. This will all also work to build up your supply. Expect a growth spurt soon, when it will seem like all she will want to do is nurse for a couple of days. Ignore the advice of those around you, especially older people, who will tell you that it is not normal. Listen to your ped, your gut, and you can also contact your local la leche league for free advise. Also, we have a breastfeeding forum here that can answer questions :)
http://www.medhelp.org/forums/Breastfeeding/show/233

[AnnieBrooke]

Write over on the Breastfeeding forum, too.  They have a lot of good suggestions.

[LosingMyMindInGA]

It sounds like she may have reflux. I wuold bring this up with yoru pediatrician.   I disagree with your mother in law entirely. If she is spitting up so much that you have to change the both of you and mop up, something else is going on.  Either she is having a reaction to sometihng in your breatsmilk or as I said she may have reflux which is very common in infants.  It's not a big deal and there are medications that can help alleviate it along with other things you can do.  I would definately talk to your ped. before making any changes in breastfeeding or introducing a pacifier.

[mikaleen]

This is only my experience, so it may have no bearing on your situation.
My daughter would feed, and a half hour later shows signs of hunger, so I would feed her again.  She was also spitting up a lot.  She wanted to suck for comfort and so she always took the breast when offered, hence my milk supply was constantly stimulated.  At her 4 week checkup the Dr. told me to try to hold off a little on the feedings if I could, that though she seemed hungry she may be looking for ways to self soothe.  When I was able to comfort her and hold off a little on the feedings (usually an hour or so) she spit up much less frequently and not as much.  She was also more content when she wasn't feeding.  I was able to hold off without her getting very upset though, so it worked for us.  Good luck!