Constant feeding is absolutely normal for newborns. It's tough, but it will settle down with time. Feeding 2-hourly is probably about average at this age - once they start feeding quicker it's not quite as awful as it seems! And once they settle in they tend to stretch out the feeds overnight. DS fed 2 hourly for a long time, but usually went 4-6 hours over night, which made the frequent day feeds worth it.
As with BG, I didn't really worry too much about what I ate - DS was unsettled and clingy no matter what anyway. I would avoid caffeine if you can, cause that's a common irritant when they're very little. They tend to grow out of these things in the first few months.
And do you have a sling or some sort of carrier? That's the best thing when they don't want to be put down. They're happy and you have your hands free.
All the best~~ Sounds like you're doing well and figuring thinngs out for yourself
Eluned - that's terrific it's all going so well I'm stoked for you! You deserve it after such a hard, challenging time the first time around.... I'm hoping our bub #2 will be the same as your bub #2 We seem to go thru similar things..... wooohhooo enjoy it hun. No top up feeds, or worrying about weight gain.... ah bliss!!!!
Green - welcome to the BF chatter thread and congrats on the birth of your new little man in your life. the first few weeks are full on.... sorry to hear you've had a bumpy start too. It's hard isn't it? I too had a very difficult time of things with lots of probs but it DOES get easier and better and soon enough you will be enjoying BF your DS and relaxing more with it all.... it all just falls into place (for some it takes longer!). Keep up the great work and know that you are giving him the BEST start in life.
ABA helpline is available 24/7 if you need support too remember. 1800 mum 2 mum!
Shanti, it's such an amazing feeling when it's all going how it should.
I was reassured last night that Amelia has a very strong suck because I woke up this morning with a nice little hickey next to my nipple! That's what I get for feeding lying down in bed with the lights out! lol
Briggsy's girl: thanks for the reply: I think it may be the tea as well, I haven't had coffee since TTC and wont, I miss chocolate but can always eat white. I think it's just so overwelmingly responcible BF and it's partly me getting my head around it too.
Marcellus well I'm glad to hear 2 hourly is normal although I am very gelous of your long feed breaks at night, Lincoln seams to be opposite.
Shanti I've already phoned ABA they are so nice, really helpful, just feel like a goose phoning all the time.
Eluned hickies are painful the lovely (not) nurses at my hosp tried to attach my DS when I have flat nipples I had around 6! gota love lactation nurses. Hope yours isn't too painful.
Last night we had a windy night poor little man woke up 3 hourly just bellowing. He settled on me but with all the noise it took me a while to get sorted.
We have a sleepy feeder atm and DH suggested changing his nappie mid way, the ABA suggested cold flannel and swap sides burp etc. But when he wants to sleep he's out. I know he's not got the best feed but still waking around 3 hourly. A good feed seams to be 10-15mins sucking each side, last night I was lucky to get 5.
I was topping him up with expressed milk or formula but Friday night he stopped taking it so I'm hoping all ok. Back for a weigh in Tuesday. He's not quite back to his birth weight yet. all 9lb4oz (still can't believe everyone thought I was having an average weight baby) just goes to show never trust sonographers.
Hey again Green - He's stil so young, just give it a few more weeks and he'll start to get nights & days sorted out. DS didn't go that long overnight till he was a bit older.
Hope the weigh in goes well. Remember to watch his output - that's the best indication of how much is going in.
As for the short feeds - you may just be very lucky and have an efficient feeder! Some babies are that fast from birth.
Ouch Eluned!
ETA - oh, one question for Green. How many feeds is he having in 24 hours, would you say? Sometimes when they're sleepy it can help to try to squeeze in an extra feed somewhere. They get a bit more milk in them and then they wake up.
Last edited by onthefly; February 7th, 2010 at 09:07 AM.
green DD2 was a quick feeder from the start, we could feed, change nappy and be back in bed in around 20 mins!
just expressed 200 mls!! i had to post in here as no one else understands not bad considering DD2 is almost one!! mind you i had been at work so hadnt fed for 5 hours!
We are still going. I am nearing the end of my 4th week without a computer so still no personals or anything but I have been trying to keep up! 9 days until my baby girl is 11months... getting so close to 12months now which is kind of exciting!! I have a hickey too Eluned, happens heaps during the night, kind of ouchy but kind of hilarious! They suck so hard when nothing is coming out haha
I was just reading an article on feeding older babies and looked at the author... IT WAS BARB! Haha so Barb if you are reading this, thanks, I'm getting lots of "you must be looking forward to reaching 12months and being able to stop" so stocking up on information about why I will be continuing (not that I think I will have to justify it, I would like to inform my friends a bit so when their time comes they will think twice about the apparent magical 12month mark).
marcellus he's feeding 3 hourly although this morning he fed at 9.15 had some awake time and finished at 11.15 so that's probably two feeds, was awake till 12noon in his bouncer and on me. Now he's crashed. So Lincoln is feeding 7-8 times a day night.
Okey dokey Green, 7-8 would be the bear minimum you'd expect for a newborn (12-18 even is quite common!). But, you may have an incredibly efficient feeder.
How many wet and dirty nappies? Does he wake and demand food (or do you have to wake him up)?
He has at leats 5 wet nappies and up to 5 poos a day. (poor DH seams to cop loads of them)
7-8minutes has gone and now I have mr 90minute marathon feeder on my hands! he wakes up three hourly most of the time. But I wake him if he goes longer during the day.
He's up now
Hey ladies just joining in as this time the breastfeeding is working out well 5 weeks so far and counting!
The little man feeds really well and is puttin on heaps of wieght
This morning i actually tryed the whole feeding in bed laying down....and i dont know why i didnt do it sooner, he fed really well and attached with no help, and i got some extra sleep and once he finshed both sides he went to sleep as well! Love it!
fantastic on the feeding working out Minny! i found that laying down helped us heaps -but i can see why it wouldn't be for everyone. we feed laying down regularly - esp at the moment - it's not as hot! i have decent sized boobies so it works ok for us as i just lay DD beside me and let her feed away - is great in bed - not so great if i'm relaxing on the floor and she tries to help herself! lol
I meant to come in yesterday and say happy half birthday to my DD... wow 6mths of BFing via various means - expressing for tube feeds, suck feeds... sucking at the breast whilst being fed via tube
It feels like it was a lifetime ago but it also feels like it was yesterday - I cried yesterday when I thought about how far we have come
Minny, glad the feeding is going well. Lying down to feed is great, we do it every afternoon when DS goes down for his nap. DD lays down with me and just feeds and we both fall asleep.
I need it too. Last night she cluster fed in bed with me from 2am! Cluster feeding again this morning. I think we are going into that 6 week growth spurt feed like crazy stage :s
Well my milk supply has well and truely been boosted! Yesterday the little man decided he needed boob every 1/2hr - 1hr between 3 and 8. Slept for a 7hr stint boobs were absolutley massive and sore! Leaking everywhere! Hope it settles down today
I'm stoked for you! You deserve it after such a hard, challenging time the first time around.... I'm hoping our bub #2 will be the same as your bub #2
We seem to go thru similar things..... wooohhooo enjoy it hun. No top up feeds, or worrying about weight gain.... ah bliss!!!!
the first few weeks are full on.... sorry to hear you've had a bumpy start too. It's hard isn't it? I too had a very difficult time of things with lots of probs but it DOES get easier and better and soon enough you will be enjoying BF your DS and relaxing more with it all.... it all just falls into place (for some it takes longer!). Keep up the great work and know that you are giving him the BEST start in life.
not bad considering DD2 is almost one!! mind you i had been at work so hadnt fed for 5 hours!
haha
5 weeks so far and counting! 
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