Coping

**A&Omummy** · 15-02-2008 14:36

Ok well I put up a few post about this anyway I'll try and be quick. I have a 6 week bub. Yesterday had lactation consultant out to the house as DD was feeding every hr on wed. Well today has been great went 2 and half to 3 hrs today. But then this arvo had huge feed at 12 gave top up at 1 then popped her in bed. At 1:40 she was awake and I got her up cause she was getting unsettled then she was showing signs that she wanted another feed so I did she only had one side and not much then fell asleep while carry her into her she woke I put her in her bed and now she is just laying in there having a windge. I really am finding it hard cause I have a 2 year old as well. I don't wanna go anywhere. It's horriable. I was doing painting with my 2yr old and had to pack it up cause I had to attend to DD1. Which is fine I mean I know everything is not going to go to plan. But it's all just getting to hard and I'm so tempted to put her onto formula. Please Help! I can't keep comfort feeding her all day and night.

**Grace3** · 15-02-2008 14:42

I breastfed my kids as well and at times it can be difficult

Are you able to ring your lactation consultant and ask her for some more advice.

**our little treasures** · 15-02-2008 14:42

It's hard I know as I have been there twice. At this age bubs is going through a growth spurt and the fact is their tummy only holds such a small amount and is burned really quickly through all the crying etc. This is the time I had to put everything aside and focus on the bub and feed every time ds/dd2 wanted. I told my other children why mummy was always feeding the baby and found things for them to do.
If you stick with it for a few days your supply will pick up and bubs will stop feeding frequently.

Your doing a good job so please keep with it! I know what your going through.

**Toes** · 15-02-2008 16:42

Your doing a great job, and that all sounds pretty normal to me! I would say it is definately a growth spurt/phase and it will get better, just give it a few days! I remember feeling just like you when DD was the same age and if it wasnt for BubHub, i probably would of given it away... Like olt said, your supply will then increase the more she sucks and then it will stabilize and she will become much more efficient at getting what she needs to stay satisfied for longer.

I am also all about routine too... Maybe too strict sometimes, but found with both my kids, that if i do the same thing each time they wake up, feed, get changed/dressed, washed, bathed, put to sleep awake etc. they settle in to a pattern quite easily.

My DS was 18 months old when DD was born so i know how hard it can be to juggle things between the two, but trust me, this stage will fly by so quick and before you know it they will be playing together on the floor, trying to make each other laugh all day!

I hope that helps a bit.. You ARE doing a great job!!

**the_queen** · 15-02-2008 16:54

You've gotten some fabulous advice already here. She is communicating with your body, telling your body how much milk to make. Introducing formula now will only make life more difficult. I know it's hard with a 2 year old as well - do you have a sling? Little tiny bubba's just need to be held, and having a sling means you will be able to cuddle the little one, but have 2 hands free to attend to the bigger one. Some slings can be adjusted so you can actually breastfeed her while she's in it - this would make life so much easier for you. Basically she will be feeding constantly until your supply has settled down - it doesn't mean your milk isn't enough, or isn't good enough. It means that everything is working perfectly, your baby and your body are working in sync to establish the perfect milk supply for her needs.

Can you get someone in to give you a hand? You've probably had friends and relatives say things like "just let me know if you need anything" and this is the time you ring them up and say "can you please come over and help me, I need the washing done, and the bathroom cleaned, and the toddler amused, and perhaps you could take the 2 yr old to the park for a few hours please" just to let you basically lay in bed with bubby and feed her all day long.

Are you a member of the ABA? You can call their helpline even if you aren't a member. They can give you great advice, and their helpline is open 24 hours a day. The counsellors are breastfeeding mums who have all been through just what you're going through. Please let yourself have a big cry (crying releases stress hormones so you will feel better afterwards, I promise).

**A&Omummy** · 16-02-2008 10:06

I wanna say a big thank you to everyone!

Your reposnes are wonderful I really appreciate it ladies. I know formula will only make things worse and DD is doing so well on breast milk so is over the average weight for her age. So I know I am doing the right thing. Just some days are so hard and the sleep don't get me started on that. I really am trying to stick it out as long as possiable. I don't have a sling but a carrier. Which I used this morning with her in it to hang out the washing. I'm not a member of the ABA but I have called them. Fingers crossed I can stick it out for longer. I really wanna hit the 6months, or at lest 4 months. Well see how things go.

**Hollywood** · 16-02-2008 10:18

The others have said what I would have said. Just hang in there if you can, it will get better I promise. I've been breastfeeding for just over a year now and I can tell you that it's still such early days with the new bub. Eventually bub will get quicker at feeding and the feeds won't take up to much of your day (less time than bottles that's for sure).

You're doing a great job feeding a newborn with a toddler to look after, and if you can stick with it everything will soon be easier. Good luck!

**twitch** · 16-02-2008 10:19

That's great things are looking up, just wanted to say good luck!

**MummaBear03** · 16-02-2008 10:21

My best friend put her bub onto formula at 4 weeks because she was finding it difficult to fit everything in with the older 3 as well as the baby but what she found was that he isn't doing so well with the formula, she's tried different types and he's 8 weeks old now and on the Heinz one but he still is unsettled after feeds no matter how much she burps him and all, he just gets tummy aches from it all. He won't go back on the breast now after 4 weeks without it but she really wants him to. Not only does she still spend ages feeding him because he's just a fussy feeder, she also has to deal with tummy aches and constipation as well as washing bottles and listening to him scream when he's hungry and she can't just feed him instantly. Just a warning that it may seem easier but the grass is always greener on the other side.....

**A&Omummy** · 16-02-2008 10:30

Thanks for that mummabear03. I have thought of that as well. I was saying that to DH. Like what if she was still unsettled on bottles then I would feel so guilty if I stopped and I think I would have even harder time then I am now. Just another quick question and should probably post it in the sleeping section but thought seeing I was here just write it here. Today I have been doing the feed play sleep thing. Which I usually do anyway I put bubs down and she usually takes ages to go off to sleep sometimes has a windge then goes off then wakes has windge and drifts in and out of sleep. She really doesn't seem to sleep all that much. I ask the lactation consultant aout it and she said I can go pick her up if I want or just leave her. If I pick her up it makes it worse she just gets really unsettled. She said she could have a tummy ach. Anyway what would you do?