i now have a theory that perhaps he isn't feeding well due to being overtired, is this a possiblity? with our first born we always tried to follow the 'rules' about how long they should be awake for etc, not that it worked, but with him i only really bother to 'try' getting him to sleep if he seems to need it due to grizzling/crying etc.... he is often awake for several hours quite content in his little chair, or in his pram, or under the play gym, then when i think i'll feed him, he is all fussy and frantic and awful..... however he just had a sleep for an hour or so in his cot (after i rocked him and put him down asleep mind you) and when he woke up he fed quite well, and also during the night he feeds very well, after sleeping for 3 hours etc... so this is my new theory.... perhaps i need to be a bit more proactive in getting him to sleep during the day, which is hard with a 3 year old to run after.... he doesn't miraculously go to sleep by himself in the cot like other newborns do...

i did think maybe i am less stressed at night etc, but to be honest i'm quite relaxed during the day at home and still he hadn't been feeding well.... hmmm who knows...

also re: the breast feeding, i haven't actually been advised to stop, in fact quite the opposite, but it was just something i had read about lack of oestregen from breast feeding thinning the line of the vagina/urethra (which a lack of oestregen does) which can impact on incontinence, so in desperation i was considering giving up the breast feeding to see if it would make a difference, as the lining would then thicken and plumpen up a bit in the urethra which would help to stop leaks... however i really think my issue is beyond a bit of plumpening and don't think it would have any significant benefit at all... i have been taking oestregen pessaries which hasn't made any difference that i can notice...

so can anyone advise if an overtired baby would struggle to feed properly? he gets on and sucks then lifts his head up like he is looking around, then cracks it and repeats etc until i give up.