Im new to this breastfeeding thing as i failed with Miss B! But Miss Em cluster feeds ALOT! and to be honest it is driving me nuts and getting me really frustrated with breastfeeding! She will feed for 5mins than come off and not want it again than 5-10mins later wants another feed! this goes on and on and on!
I feel like all day im just sitting on my butt with my boobs hanging out! Is this normal? is it just a phase? what can i do????
It's really hard, isn't it?
Have you tried calling the ABA? It is quite normal behaviour, but they will be able to offer advice and support.
Do you have a wrap or sling? Sometimes the feeding is really about comfort and just being close to mummy will suffice (some of the time at least)
It's a pity no-one tells you in advance how often new babies need to feed. 8 - 12 times n 24 hours is the average but many babies feed more than that. It does sound normal, but if she's doing this that every feed, there might be something else going on. I'd call the ABA helpline - 1800 mum 2 mum (1800 686 2 686, drop the last 6 for VOIP) and have a chat. They are very supportive, the line is open all the time - 24/7 - it's toll free and you don't have to be a member. Often just having some more ideas to try is a big help.
Thanks everyone! Its a major relief to hear that it is normal!
MR - its not every feed -but i guess it feels like every feed!
Marcellus - i didn't look at it that way that she prob just wants to be close to me. And nope no wrap or sling! i want one tho!
MummaSue - 8mths and still doing it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! arrrgggghhhhh............. LOL
I guess in all im finding it so frustrating also because i want to be spending time with Miss B too - i feel bad everytime she asks to do something and im forever saying i can't yet im feeding Emily!
I'll just pop in to give you one quick word of encouragement. Cluster feeding is normal, yes, and I found that when my DD cluster-fed in the evenings it meant a nice looooong nap afterwards, which also meant more sleep for me. Maybe see if she does go for longer after a cluster-feeding period, because if you know she's going to do that you won't feel as guilty about putting DD1 off for just a little while, when you'll be able to devote a nice block of time to her (leave the housework!).
Yeah, totally normal But I found it wasn't as bad the older DD got. So she still had some cluster feeds like early morning but it settled down pretty quickly and wasn't as much (like every 10 mins). And a lot of it was comfort sucking and wanting comfort too so I would put her in the HAB and she'd be happier. Definitely recommend a sling! Hopefully bub would be happy in it and you would have free hands to do stuff with miss B Hang in there!! I didn't really find I enjoyed BF in the early days but it it soooo worth it and so much more easy and enjoyable when you're past the newborn period
I agree, very normal. Its bubs way of helping establish you milk supply too, and very much for comfort. If you think about way before modern man, babies were carried on their mummies pretty much permanently. These days so much emphasis is put on getting newborns to sleep in their cots and stretching feeds out as soon as possible.
Try to enjoy this time, in a few months all of a sudden you will realise they are more interested in the world around and feel slightly ditched . Try feeding laying down in bed and get Miss B to join you with some books and toys. We used to have camp outs in bed all the time. We also had a little stool for DD2 beside my bf chair, and a specific box of new stuff we bought her to play with just for feed times. I even used to have DD2 sitting on my knees as well while I fed, she would stroke her sisters hair and watch her feed, very fascinated. When DD2 was asleep I would get out some stuff like craft that DD1 loved and spend one on one time with her, it made me feel much better. IMO housework can wait, I now jump at any chance to avoid it
Very normal Those early days/weeks and even months can be tricky as you are learning how to do it and so is your bub
Won't be long until you and Em have it down pat and you'll be breastfeeding pro's and you'll be walking around with her feeding holding her with one arm while making a sandwich for Miss B with the other!!!
It's amazing what you can do while BF'ing a baby!!.....
When it's feed time, have an activity set up for Miss B, colouring in book and a drink ready to go.....kwim?
Thanks everyone! i have had my moment of thinking of giving up but after reading all this it has made me more determined to stick with it!
Jennifer13 - ur right the house work is going to have to wait! :-)
Heaven - ur comment that it becomes more enjoyable after the newborn period has made me think twice! since is my last bub :-( i really want to experience it all! so thankyou
studymum - im definatly going to enjoy it more! like you said before i know it she wont be interested in it anymore! and im working on that new box of stuff! :-)
Shanti - funny u should say that - i actually attempted a walk outside while breastfeeding Emily this morning! LOL
MummaSue - Thankyou
Oh and before i go to feed my beautiful girl - i got her weighed today and she put on 300grams in 1 week!!!! so i guess we are doing well! wooohooo
300g - that's incredible!!! All that feeding is definitely paying off for her. Hopefully it will also mean that she'll settle into a more predictable/easier feeding routine for you soon.
Sounds like you and Em are doing just perfectly 300gm weight gain is awesome darl - your doing a fabo job as are your (.)(.)'s
I too spent hours upon hours on the couch with Ryan in those early days not without issues but i am so glad we persiste, like you he is our last and i wanted to experience the whole breastfeeding thing. He is a real boobie boy, he loves it and i must say i am loving it too
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Cluster feeding Help
Maybe see if she does go for longer after a cluster-feeding period, because if you know she's going to do that you won't feel as guilty about putting DD1 off for just a little while, when you'll be able to devote a nice block of time to her (leave the housework!).
Hang in there!! I didn't really find I enjoyed BF in the early days but it it soooo worth it and so much more easy and enjoyable when you're past the newborn period
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