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DS has been hanging off me *all* day and I'm going nuts! He fed at 6, 8.30, 10.30, 12, 3, 4.30, 6, and now again!! Arrrgh. He was feeding 4-5 hourly so I did manage some sleep, but I am so tired now! Is it possible he's having a growth spurt and this won't last long? My head is pounding :(
ETA some of the feeds last only 5 minutes.
He sounds like a perfectly normal 8 day old baby!! His stomach is tiny, therefore milk is digested quickly, take him to bed and feed.
Xxx
Ah that's rough! Sounds like he's woken up and is demanding milk like needs to, which is good, but hard on you. What help do you have? Do you have a sling to use during the day?
Not a growth spurt, just normal baby behaviour, but it won't last forever. Hang in there
Um, you may not want my input ... but DS3 is feeding approx every 2 hours now at almost six weeks :hide: Fortunately this stretches out to 4-5 hourly from 7pm onwards during the night. I totally understand where you are coming from though as some days I feel like he's constantly on the breast. I'm hoping DS3 starts stretching his feeds out to 3-4 hourly (like my other two boys were at this age - and like what I'm "used" to!).
Babies, they sure have their own agenda! Wishing you all the best, xx
LN just wondering what your feeding routine is?
Do you
1) feed him, burp him, change nappy, feed again?
2) Or feed, burp, feed, sleep?
3)Or feed, sleep?
My babies have all done times when they fed every 2 hrs. I. Fact DS3 is doing that this week. Depending on what you are already doing for feeding, routine 1 can help make sure baby is truly full before going to sleep.
Often tiny ones will feed to sleep before their tummy is full. Other times it's just like others have said 'tiny tummies and easy digested milk= feeding often.'
The first routine Chrispe. Feeling like I'm not cut out for this! :(
My babies fed 2 hourly for months. But when they did, they slept at night.
An average breast feeding babies routine is to feed roughly every 2 hours through the day, then cluster feed in the early evening (so you may be glued to the lounge feeding for what seems like 2 hours straight), but then they'll often stretch feed times out to 4 - 5 hours over night.
He's still very little & figuring this all out. The night/day thing will often settle in the first few weeks. My DD slept for a full 8 hours at 5 weeks old! Didn't do it again til a week ago :lol:
As mentioned, his tummy is little & he digests his milk quickly. The above is only a rough guide. They do need a minimum of 12 feeds in a 24 hour period though, for hydration purposes, as well as food & growth.
Number one rule. Sleep when he sleeps. Even if that means he's attached to the boob while you do it.
:hug: it will get easier :)
Hi, the first few weeks with a baby are nothing like any of us ever thought, regardless of how they are fed. And there's not a mother alive who hasn't looked into that sweet little face and thought "what have I done". So you are in good company! It's made harder because you are still recovering from the birth. It gets easier - hang on to that! It won't always be like this.
Often babies are relatively sleepy after the birth. Just like it takes us a bit of time to get over - it takes them a bit of time to get over. Then they wake up. A good baby is really a baby that lets mum know when she wants a feed. Not one who sleeps all the time. Most babies have at least 8-12 or more feeds in 24 hours. Usually they will have one longer sleep - (3 hours is about as good as it gets) and then another time where they have a cluster of feeds close together over a few hours. Most babies wouldn't get enough milk to grow if they only fed 4-5 hourly (heck I coudn't go 4-5 hours without even a cuppa or a glass of water)
Be gentle with yourself. It will take time to get into your groove. Get as much rest as you can around baby's feeds. Call in support from friends and family. You'll get there
I spent some wonderful hours in the early days just hanging out on my bed with my little boy. Feeding and sleeping and gazing and occasionally reading trashy magazines. It is a bit of a mindshift to see how productive doing this can be, but even now thinking back to that time makes me smile.
Make up a basket with some snacks, drink, a book or some craft and just head to bed with him for a few days, or for a few hours each day. It will be good for both of you.
You are doing a great job! When the sleep deprivation hits and our hormones are changing, most of us feel like we can't do it. Even those who have had kids before!:
Be gentle on yourself. Rest often. Both you and baby have been through a lot. Don't be afraid to ask for help from those who can support you. (family, friends) even if it just getting someone to come wash the dishes or clean the bathroom, or have a cup with you while you feed.
After my first I had my sister (who worked with babies) come stay for a month.
Hugs LN it does get better/easier.
You're doing well lady neon, truly!
Take whatever help you can and let everything else go for the time being.