Always Feeding

[BB78]

:confused: Just wondering if any other BF mums feel like they are always feeding? my DS is nearly 7 weeks and last night was the worst, from 1.30am to 5am he was on and off my breast every few mins, he feeds roughly every hour, doesnt sleep during the day and wakes every 2-3hrs at night.
I'm exhausted and sore nipples, my breasts feel empty, i'm just wondering if he getting enough?
I tried giving him a top up bottle but he wont take it.
The health sister says just keep at it (with the BF) easy said when ur not sore n tired with a demanding bub.
Any sujestions?

[FunkyMonkey]

DS was very much like that. he would suck all night, leaving my nipples sore and feeling like I couldn't go on BF.
After a few days it got better as my boobs made more milk. From your bubs age he's just about due for a huge growth spurt. ;) Keep at it, don't comp feed,(your boobs will catch up in a few days) he's getting enough if he's got wet and soiled nappies and his eyes are nice and moist. Good luck!!

Jaime

[FunkyMonkey]

You also might like to try keeping bubs in a sling. The more I wore DS the happier and more settled he was. (and he slept in the sling
too. ;) )

[BB78]

thank you! he def has alot of wet/soiled nappies. it just feels like forever attached, i BF the twins but they had top up bottles and fed every 3hrs so this is new to me to have a high demanding bub.

[Seekrit]

Could it be a growth spurt? Or even just the first few months are just SO demanding :) but, don't fear, it does get better and gets shorter as well!
:hugs:

[Wake_tonight]

I'm going to echo that this is completely normal! It may be a growth spurt as they tend to come about 4-6 weeks of age. If he's having enough wet nappies as you said he is I wouldn't be concerned. Is his weight gain going well too? As he gets older, he'll get more efficient at getting milk out so feeds will become shorter and less frequent. You're doing a great job!

[jojojonsey]

Yep absolutely normal. I tend to thing that they are prepping you ready for their next big growth spurt - It's their way of asking for more milk mummy!

You are doing great!

[allysophia]

I could have written your post 7months or so ago. Oh I could have killed DH and all who dared say: "he's still hungry!"


Well, he was still hungry. And the best way for them to get your milk supply up is to suck, suck, suck, suck and.. guess what SUCK. It sucks doesn't it? :laughing: All I can say is, its very normal, you're giving your child THE best (remember that on the bad days), and now, months on BF is the easiest, quickest thing I do in my day.

Lift up shirt. Baby eat (5-10mins). Shirt down. Baby goes and does own thing for several hours.

If you can perservere it is worth it. Not just for the babies health, but for yours (sick babies LOVE bf, as do sick mums who don't have to get up to to feed them..) anyway, the list goes on. The first stages ARE very hard. Thats why there are so few bfeeding mums!

Good luck! Be aware that a bottle top-up will mean bubby doesn't stimulate your nipples into more production, and will decrease your overall supply (not good in all).

Give yourself a
:yelclap:
It IS hard. But worth it !!!

[Seekrit]

Great advice Ally :)

[punkbaby]

i felt like dd was always hanging off me but it soon stopped it was like a set routin for about 6 weeks then instant i want boob all the time! it was all she wanted nothing else! It did pass though but it was very tiring if you can persavere with it things will get better :)

[BB78]

Thanks all Great advice :hugs:

[Seekrit]

Just remember that there is a light at the end of the tunnel :) We all wouldn't be doing it if that weren't the case!

[ChubStar]

My DS2 fed every 2 hours for the first 5 weeks, sometimes more often (day and night). When I saw his paed he said he was comfort feeding cos he had bad gas pains in his tummy. I started giving him Donnalix and within a week or so he improved and spaced out his feeds more. He still feeds every 3-4 hours during the day but now has 5-6 hour stints of sleep thru the night (he's 4 months).

Moral of the story is, could your bub be comfort feeding? Also is he latching on properly? He'll feed quicker and more efficiently if he latches on properly.