Does this sound ok to people?

[MummaSue]

Hey guys,

My little one is 2 and a half weeks old - I have just been reading the CLB book which I shouldn't do as it freaks me out. I need to throw it away.

Anyway, my little one has developed a bit of a pattern of having a 3 hour sleep from around 10am-1pm - she wakes and cluster feeds from 1pm-3pm, another couple of hours sleep from 3pm-5pm, and then she wakes up quite cranky and cluster feeds again and then doesn't go to sleep until around 10pm - despite having a nice bath and calm time. She then does sleep until around 3-4am waking for a feed and then sleeps until around 6am.

Does this all sound normal for a baby of this age? She loves to use the boobie as a dummy and to a point I don't mind this - except at the night time feed. I have actually introduced a formula feed at 10pm as we find this helps her to get over to sleep better than being on the breast for an hour. I express my milk so that we don't affect my supply.

Just want to know that we are on the right track with things and that she is doing ok.
Thanks so much
Sue x

[onthefly]

Dare I ask what CLB is?

Yes it sounds pretty normal. It's worth bearing in mind that they change sooooo rapidly in the early months that it is pretty pointless trying to figure out their routines/patterns or any way to control them until something just magically appears (ie, they just start doing things is a roughly routine like manner). It might happen soon or it might be several months yet, but in the meantime it's best to just do whatever seems to work, you know?

Cluster feeding is very very normal. If she is sleeping several hours at a time, then that's pretty good!

For the cluster feeds, does she feed a very long time on one side, then the other? Or is she switching between sides? I ask because one thing you can try is to give her, say, 20 minutes on the first side, then burp and switch her and give her 20 mins on the other. Then if she still wants more give her 20 mins on the first side again. That way she'll still feed for 40-60 minutes, but get 2-3x boob's worth, rather than 1 or 2. I did this with my son (though from a slightly older age as it just didn't occur to me till later) and it seemed to help fill him up faster.

One other question - do you have a sling or something liike that? Sometimes the cluster feeding is about comfort and jsut being close to mummy is an acceptable substitute.

But, all in all it sounds like you're doing very well! And yes, throw away any parenting book that makes you freak out

[blackduckies]

Sounds normal..I second the putting her into a sling pouch especailly at the evening feed where she wakes a bit grumpy she might be needing a little longer sleep..otherwise she is doing a good job at getting your supply going.

[MummaSue]

Thanks for the input guys. I am getting myself all tied up in knots about "routines" and think I just need to let our little one figure out her place in the world first!!

She is very fuzzy in the evenings and only settles on the boob - which is exhausting.

The CLB is the Gina Ford Contented Little Baby book. It's very rigid and I am just not that way inclined. But some of the things that I do just now with little one (demand feeding etc) is criticised a great deal in this book and it just scares me.

I need to give myself a break I think and just enjoy this time!! Lots of cuddles, boobie time and we'll be fine!!

Thanks again
Sue xx

[Lulu]

Sue, lots of babies cluster feed in the afternoon, early evening - it's called the arsenic hour! Ride it out hun, it's not something that has to be fixed.

I used to make sure I had phone, remote, glass of water etc on the table next to me and enjoy my enforced sit down hehehehehe

throw out the books xoxoxo

[Artechim]

Completely normal - just go with the flow.

At that early age she will do as she does. If you aren't inclined to force a routine on her then just give her time - she will find her own way.

My DD was often up until 10pm in the early weeks. You will most likely find a change around the 6 week mark when they have a growth spurt and 'wake up' a bit and find a 'routine' that suits.

Find yourself a book that agrees with what you want to do! The Science of Parenting/What every parent needs to know by Margot Sunderland is good.

[tattoo_mama]

sounds like you and bubs are doing fantastically hun my DD was the same (but didnt sleep a decent 5-6 hr block until 6 weeks) well done and yes throw the book away it took me 8 months to work out that babies can read the baby book so how do we expect them to stick to it kwim?

[CrazyLady]

I used to make sure I had phone, remote, glass of water etc on the table next to me and enjoy my enforced sit down hehehehehe

And make sure you pee prior . I don't know how many times I forgot to then 10 mins into feed DD would be on my bladder and I'd need to go then!

Yup, DD was the same hun! One piece of equiptment I found to be priceless was a slowcooker so you don't have to worry about trying to get dinner happening. Ignore any bits of advice/books that make you uncomfortable hun!

HTH!

[Fleur]

Yes it sounds pretty normal. It's worth bearing in mind that they change sooooo rapidly in the early months that it is pretty pointless trying to figure out their routines/patterns or any way to control them until something just magically appears (ie, they just start doing things is a roughly routine like manner). It might happen soon or it might be several months yet, but in the meantime it's best to just do whatever seems to work, you know?

I totally agree. I was going to say that for me, with all of my kids there was no such thing as 'normal' - all different to each other & all different from week-to-week - just when you think you've got 'em figured out

It sounds like she (and you) are doing great

Have you thrown that book out yet?