Newborn erratic feeding - ??!!

[missneriss]

My 8 day old son has some very strange feeding patterns!

It was recommended to me by my birth clinic to feed on demand. During the day he has been feeding VERY frequently - almost every hour for about 25-30 minutes. During that time he falls asleep often and slips off the nipple. I've been waking him, burping, handing him to my husband etc in an effort to make the feeds longer, but he just loses interest after 25 minutes.

Then he'll sleep for half an hour and wake up crying for breast again!

Every time he needs a nappy change, he wants to feed afterwards before he'll go to sleep.

NIGHT time is a completely different matter. For example, I finished feeding him at 5am and it's now 9am- he's still fast asleep. That seems like a long time between feeds (not that I'm complaining, after spending ALL day yesterday with him attached to me!)

Should I be worried? I don't want to wake him, since he's so restless during the day.

[Oscar's mum]

To be honest that sounds fine to me, (I am no expert though).;)

[*Chels*]

Hey love,
he sounds perfectly normal!!
I went through the same thing,if my son was sleeping I wondered if I should wake him for a feed.But DONT!If he is hungry,he will wake up.Enjoy the peace while he sleeps,and try to get a bit of shut eye yourself;)
Just keep demand feeding,it will boost your supply and keep it coming!Babies have tiny wee tummies,thats why he feeds so frequently.
Just keep doing what youre doing,youre doing a great job!:thumbsup:

[Seekrit]

It'll get better, keep snacks, a water bottle, the phone and the remote in close grab :)

It gets frustrating, doesn't it, but it builds up your supply, and soon he'll be draining your boobs super-quickly!

For the first few weeks, all a baby does is sleep. You know, I got SO USED TO THAT that when he spent more awake time I panicked because I had no idea what to do or why he wouldn't sleep. :rolleyes: lol

[Mariposa]

hiya, its very normal what you and ur son are going thru, as mentioned bubs have tiny tummies, they take wat they need then snooze then feed and snooze, its continuous. the first 3mths are the hardest, as this is all they seem to do. your doing a great job, babies go thru frequent growth spurts. best for you to rest whilst he rests etc etc.

enjoy ur time at this beautiful stage, yes it can become frustrating, though it doesnt last. dont wake him as he will wake when his tummy tells him too. :hugs:

[shed]

Yep, sounds normal :yes:

Little tummies need filling regularly. It will change soon and he will feed for longer and then he will get better at it and will feed for shorter!!

As long as he is getting wet nappies regularly then it sounds good. Well done!

[DellaWellaWoman]

Hi Nerissa

DD is doing the cluster feeding thing during the day (and will only sleep in my arms in between), but will sleep at night in her cot, only waking for feeds - last night it was into bed at 10:30, and feeds at 1:30, 4:30, 7:30 and 9:30 - after 10am tho it's "hold me/feed me"time :banghead:

Please let it get better for all of us soon!!!!

[missneriss]

Thanks everyone for your reassurance. I feel so much better now. I don't mind feeding him all the time if there's nothing wrong.

The nurse came today and said he's put on 240 grams since last Thursday, which apparently is good.

Sounds like our bubs are on the same schedule Debbie! Never mind, as long as it gets easier!! I took him out for a walk in his sling today and he was quiet for ages... bliss! I even got to sit in a cafe and have a coffee (decaf or course! :( )

[Oscar's mum]

I even got to sit in a cafe and have a coffee (decaf or course! :( )

Caffeine is fine just don't go overboard;)

[DellaWellaWoman]

I even got to sit in a cafe and have a coffee (decaf or course! :( )

I've also been avoiding caffeine as my milk didn't come in until around 2 weeks after Brylee arrived (midwife said to avoid choccy as well as milo and coffee :gloomy: ), but I seem to be slipping a bit lately - had some choccy yesterday and again today, and so far so good :fingerscrossed: But I have been sticking to decaf coffee when I get sick of cammomile tea - I almost died walking past Starbucks this morning at Pac Fair tho - it's just not fair!!!

Oh well, I guess we make these minor sacrifices for a little while - I think once the b/f thing is sorted out & my supply's settled down I'll be able to have the occasional coffee - expect to see me camped at Starbucks/Gloria Jeans/Coffee Club, etc in the near future!

[stellarella]

No you should nto be worried. my bub was exactly the same, he would feed constantly throughout the day and fall asleep then wake up to suck again etc on and off. it was as though he just wanted to be help near my nipple in the event that he felt like a suck 24 hours a day. so that is exactly what i did. i put him in a sling and carried him in it all day and he sucked as he wanted to and in the night he slept with me and did the same. he is now nearly 11weeks and has developed a GREAT sleeping feeding routine, going at times 4 hours between feeds in the day and up to 8 at night. i dont stress if he wants to suck every half hour at times, just go with flow and he will develop his own pattern.