Im typing one handed so please excuse any spelling/grammer mistakes.
DD is 1 week 2days old today. breastfeeding started off great and my milk came in on day 3 after my csection. She is fully breatfed. the last couple days things havent been so perfect with a horrible time last night. we start our nights with a bath about 8pm and then a breastfeed for as long as her heart desires which is usually no more than 1.5 hours. usually she then settles down for the night and sleeps a couple hours before her next feed. but lastnight after her bath, she fed... until almost 2am. needless to say i was losing patience and i was exhausted. almost 5 hours at the breast.. my nipples were feeling it aswell. she finally passed out from exhaustion (which made me so sad) from feeding, crying, feeding, crying.... it got that bad.. if i had formula i would have almost caved
i have plenty of milk (ive expressed about 80-100mls in 30 minutes.. ) and she is pooing frequently and has heavily wet nappies.
We get up this morning about 8am and we have been feeding ever since (its almost 11am) with a small break in between because I had to dress DD1. She usually would have been asleep by now but if I put her in her bassinet, swing or bouncer, she just gets so distressed and begins looking around for boob again. This can be after an hour of constant feeding, burping etc. I know shes had enough because she gets sleepy and doesnt suck aswell and just **** farts around on there. But 5 minutes later shes back on there sucking good for 5-10 sucks.. then stops.. then crys... then back on...
it doesn't sound like you're doing anything wrong. it sounds like she's either wanting you - for comfort - and/or she's growing, and extra hungry.
I wish I had some suggestions to make it easier. goodness knows, it's exhausting at that end of the stick, and I remember well DS's marathon feeds which regularly would be 60-90 minutes because he just took his sweet time ...
but even though I can't make any suggestions, I wanted to give you my hugs and encouragement
It sounds like comfort to me Hun, just bs careful as all this sucking is going to bring lots of milk are you swaddling? Lots of babies find this comforting and I would also try a sling or carrier, that way she is close by you and you can get stuff done. Just remember-this too shall pass, you are doing a wonderful job!!
I am not an expert, but is she solidly feeding that whole time, or is she rather slow to feed? You can try things to keep them more alert at the breast if that is the problem.
Breastfeeding can be difficult but sounds like you guys are off to a great start and I hope you find a way to manage this that works for you both.
If it continues for the longer term and isn't just a matter of days it might also be worth looking up the symptoms of reflux. Reflux bubs have the pain of the acid coming back up, so do lots of feeding to try and soothe the discomfort but as they eat then they get the reflux again so it is an exhausting cycle. Even if she isn't bring up the feeds there is silent reflux where it only enters the throat and is swallowed again. Is she arching her back? Does it help to keep her upright? Hopefully it is not, as reflux is a horrible tiring experience for mother and child but something worth considering if the constant feeding persists.
Good luck not an easy experience when you have DD1 to look after too!
I agree. I don't think you are doing anything wrong at all. Maybe after you know she's full and just wanting comfort try putting her in a sling and seeing if she'll go to sleep on you without boob.
I don't know anything about reflux but I agree that if it continues I'd get her checked out for that too Hopefully it is short lived
Hi,
Sounds like what you've got is a normal baby. Still, doesn't make it any easier for a tired mum with another child to care for. Just over a week ago she was in your tummy, always held, always fed, always hearing your heartbeat. Life on the outside isn't at all what she was accustomed to. she is hardwired to be close to you - she wants "womb service". Some babies make the transition easier than others. The good news is that is won't always be like this. She will get the hang of it. But right now it's you she wants, and she is hardwired do suck and be in contact with you. As you've rightly identified, she doesn't need more milk.
since she is feeding well, you might consider using a dummy after feeds to help her settle. sucking releases hormones which help babies sleep and relax. Baby slings are fabulous. If you don't drink, smoke or take drugs, and you make your bed safe it's OK to sleep with her in your bed.
I agree with what Starangelk and Peanutter said. I don't think you're doing anything wrong at all! Sometimes babies feed A LOT!! Cluster feeding is tiring for mums but "this too shall pass" - that became my mantra!
Right up until we stopped breastfeeding, I "demand fed" my bub. Somedays were a treat - perfectly spaced feeds (just like the "book" says) and other [B]mostB] days we just went with the flow. In the beginning it felt like I had my boobs out constantly.
You're doing a great job - pooing and weeing are great signs that she's getting enough from you.
I had one of those babies Day 2, Day 9 and Day 12 are burned in my memory as the 24 hour breastfeeding days!
DS was also a fan of marathon 4 hour feeds, waking as soon as he was off the breast, there were blisters on daddy's finger from all the comfort sucking (DH would help when my boobs needed a break!). I wasn't keen on giving him a dummy, but when DH gave him one at 6 weeks and he took it, I was soooooo relieved, lol. No nipple confusion (after all the hours he'd had breastfeeding I would have been really really surprised if there was any confusion!). He still fed every 1.5 hours on a normal day, and every hour during a growth spurt, but it was nice to get a break.
I kinda miss all those close hours now! Now he's done in a few minutes and if there's something else more interesting he doesn't want to feed at all!
I know it can be frustrating, but your giving her exactly what she needs and wants, and it will pass. She'll only ever be 1 week and 2 days old once
This is why I love BB. Its always good when a sleep deprived mum is struggling, you girls help put things into perspective
To answer some questions. I have given her a dummy. I actually gave her one on day 2 when I was waiting for my milk to come in and my nipples needed a 10 minute break here and there. Shes not overly keen on the dummy but she doesnt hate it. It does help to settle her though so I will keep going with it when I need it. Its nice to be reminded that these stages do pass. They did with DD1 and they will with DD2 Im sure. Sometimes you just feel like your hitting a brick wall and will be stuck in it for eternity!
Thanks Barb, your completley right. Just a week ago she was in my belly, getting everything she needed and constantly getting it. Just makes sense that she is finding it abit hard to adjust to not being contantly fed etc atm. I do have a close carrier (I forgot I had it) so I will rememeber to use it.
DD1 had severe reflux but she was comp fed from the day she was born and went to full FF at 6 weeks old. I honestly think the formula made it worse so another reason I dont want to go down that path again! She is a bit chucky but it doesnt seem to be upsetting her at all. She arches her back a little when she is unsettled but I dont think thats enough to say straight out that she has relux. Though I have noticed she is not as chucky now I have stopped my painkillers from the csection and just deal with panadol here and there. Come to think of it.. she would have been quite sleepy and out to it while i was on them and she had just a touch of jaundice.. all of which has gone now so she is more awake and alert than she once was.
Maruschke, she is abit impatient when it comes to the let down but once that happens she feeds quite well with strong rythmic sucking. When shes having a "constant feeding for 5 hours" moment, she sucks still quite strong, but not for long because she has been awake so long, shes tired. Even changing her nappy etc works for a little bit but then shes asleep again within 5 or so sucks. Its quite a long drawn out process.
Hey Star Yes we are swaddling. Your not wrong.. I seem to be quite engorged today....
Today hasnt been too bad. I ended up laying down with her and she fell asleep, so I layed there for a bit and then got up and put her in her bed and she slept for a couple hours (so did i!!). I expressed when I got up as I had to pick DD1 up and its a thunderstorm here so I didnt want to take her out in it and she was asleep. I managed to express 100mls and when she woke she drank about 70mls and 10 mins later, the other 30. She was quite content after this and after lots of hugs and kisses she went off to sleep.
Her cluster night time feeding hasnt started yet (thats usually after a bath)...so wish me luck!
Once again, thank you all so much for putting things into perspective for me. Its always good to know your not alone and the only one dealing with it
What am I doing wrong?
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are you swaddling? Lots of babies find this comforting and I would also try a sling or carrier, that way she is close by you and you can get stuff done. Just remember-this too shall pass, you are doing a wonderful job!!
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