My 16 day old has for most of his tiny life spent everyday cluster feeding. His routine is pretty regular but very exhausting. Is this norma.l? He is gaining weight and the midwives and health visitor are happy with him and say it is normal but I worry as I think they don't get how much he is actually feeding.
He wakes up at about 10ish and I will spend all day breastfeeding him, with maybe 10 mins breaks for cuddles, nappy changes and trying to settle him to sleep. He will come off the breast of his own accord after a 30min feed and then want to go on again five minutes later. I am literally putting him on one breast and then the other constantly all day until he finally goes for a two to three hour sleep at about three in the afternoon. Then he will feed the same way all evening with maybe half an hour breaks for some cuddles and perhaps some blanket playtime on floor. Then at about 1am he will sleep for about three to four hour blocks until 10ish in the morning. In summary in a 24hr period he will sleep three times in a three to four hour block but the rest of the day is just cluster feeding!!!!
We believe in cuddles and attachment so I am happy to folllow his lead but I am getting worn out with constant feeding. An hour break between feeds would be heaven!!!
I know this will pass but please give me some hope or even some reassurance that it is not terribly abnormal!!
There are times in your baby's first weeks when you seriously wonder if you will ever get off the couch. But it sounds like your baby is pretty normal.
Most babies feed 8-12 times in 24hours. Most mums to be, when they hear that news at antenatal of breastfeeding class totally discount the "12" times and then imagine the "8" times will be broken into 3 hour blocks - it's just how our adult brains work. Babies see it differently. In a 24 hour period they will have one long (ish) sleep - 3 hours is as good as it gets. And then another time (or 2) of the day or night when they want a cluster of feeds.
16 days ago all your little one knew of life was being held by you constantly (in utero) hearing your voice and your heartbeat, and fed continually. He expects the same conditions on the outside. And when he is in your arms, at your breast, that is the closest he can get to "home" It will change over time.
Many mums find it can help to give him one breast for 20 mins or so, then give a burp, nappy change - generally try to wake him up - then offer the other side. You will notice that by 20 mins your baby will be snoozing at the breast - maybe a few fluttery sucks now and then. But when you go to take him off he will make a desperate grab for it as though to say "no, mum, I'm still drinking..." but just gently take him off.
A baby sling - a soft pouch like ABA's simplicity sling, or a ring sling is a lifesaver. No-one should leave hospital without one. It allows them to be close to you - and you to get a few things done.
If you are confident all is going well, a dummy may be helpful. Sucking performs many functions for a baby - food, comfort, an aid to digesting his food and getting to sleep. A dummy when you know he's had a good feed to help him get to sleep could be helpful (don't use it to "hold off" feeds)
With time things will get quicker and easier
my little one is 4 weeks old but feeds constantly from about 6-8 so this is her cluster feed, but otherwise she is on and off all day with a big sleep of 3 hours around 12 noon.
as long as you are happy keep going your LO will settle into a more sustainable routine when he feels ready..
My DD has been doing the same. We seem to be doing two lots of cluster feeds in a day - late morning and early evening. I figure she will eventually work out her own routine but in the meantime it's great for my supply. At these times, I set myself up with my iPhone, a good book and a big bottle of water and just go with it. If you can feed lying down that gives you a rest as well, it's great!
My little one did the same and has only in the past couple of weeks started spacing out his feeds more...
The more your baby feeds, the more it stimulates your milk supply - so she's possibly laying the groundwork for you to have a great supply!! It worked for me and my CJ
I am exactly the same as Eluned. Two big cluster feeding periods in the day. I think it is the heat too. I have tired the sling, but it is quite hard with putting DS1 to bed with a baby in sling... DS1 still needs the personal night time attention. And the dummy is still being rejected... however, the bouncer is starting to calm him down now... Thanks Barb, they are great tips.
Hang in there poppyfairy. It will get better. I know it. xo
It's wonderful that you believe in attachment You sound like it's a bit overwhelming atm because it's so constant, am I right?
My advice to you is that this stage is very very short, even though it probably feels eternal to you atm, it will pass. Keep going, you're doing great!
Thanks Barb and ladies for your support and great advice. I did actually get a couple of breaks between feeds yesterday and today. So things are improving already. Like you say he just needs to get into the swing of this 'new world' he has found himself in.
I am trying the breaking the feeds with nappy changes etc and taking him off when he falls asleep at the boob. I am still snuggling him after a feed though before I put him into his moses basket for sleeps even though the health visitor said I should be encouraging him to self settle but I think he is far too young to 'self settle'
16 day old constantly cluster feeding!
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