4 days old, been feeding for 5 hours straight

[PourquoiTuGachesTaVie]

Is she ever going to sleep? She occasionally drifts off for a few minutes but wakes again looking for more boob. I had heard of cluster feeding but 5 hours and no end in sight...?

[angryangryyoungwoman]

I think I once spent 12 hours attached to my lo. Seriously. Then I think there was a break of 15 minutes before we were back on it. It gets easier as they get older

[LightTripper]

We had this. I thought it would never end! I found eventually she would get really fidgetty and be on and off the boob, tugging etc really painful and then just when I thought I couldn't take it any more she would go to sleep. I dont think I ever had much more than 5 hours in one session, so hopefully you are nearly done. Hang on in there and look after your nipples. Lots of Lansinoh (slather it on the side not in use, otherwise they get really dry and crack during long sessions! It's worth a minute or two of crying if needed to sort your boobs out!)

[TrousersSchmowsers]

This is pretty normal IME of 2 babies (and eldest of 13 cousins)

The best advice I received was "Surrender!" Once I started practising a bit of radical acceptance about how full-on feeding on demand would be, things improved.

It's a HUGE adjustment, though. I had expected babies to have 4, maybe 5 meals per day. So it was a shock to find that they could chug away intermittently for hours at a time when very small.

Keep snacks, entertainment and a big drink near your feeding spots and settle in.

Congratulations!

[TrousersSchmowsers]

I've just remembered how I used to balance DC2 on the keyboard shelf of my desk for a nice long feed whilst I surfed Facebook/Mumsnet or played quiet games!

[GreenSpaghetti]

The good news is it is normal but it really is hard work. She might be comfort suckling in between feeds. She will eventually go to sleep, hopefully soon, until then just go with whatever works and try not to over think things

[mrsmilkymoo]

Yeah, no-one tells you about this before you start bf-ing! But having experienced it myself and spoken to other parents it is totally normal. My advice is to camp out on the sofa with a stash of crappy tv and your phone/ipad/whatever, and have food and drink to hand. I was pretty much in tears when dd first did this, thinking it wasn't normal, there must be a problem etc etc, but when I learnt that it was common, I settled down, caught up on bad tv, and all was fine!

[ClearlyMoo]

Yes sounds about right... Just keep feeding. It will get less. Just relax and enjoy newborn snuggles!

[PourquoiTuGachesTaVie]

She went to sleep at 12.30. 12 hours'

Day 4 of ebf doesn't sound like a lot but I never even managed one full day with ds so it's an achievement in itself. Plus it only hurts on one boob now! Nipple is slightly cracked, I've fixed the problem with the latch (not deep enough) but I Can't seem to get her to latch on the sore nipple without pain and I'm not sure if it's just because it's sore or if the latch is still wrong (but only on one side?)

[ClearlyMoo]

The latch might still be wrong, try some different positions. Google "biological nurturing position" a great position to try with a new born.

Also try rugby hold on sore side so baby is lying in same direction Ashe is on good side. Use Lansinoh cream on sore nipple.

Well done for keeping going.. It will get easier! X

[BertieBotts]

Possibly a combo of both - ask midwife to come and have a look?

[theladyanneofcleves]

My left developed a horrendous crack in the early days...I eventually ended up only feeding from that side in the rugby ball position. still feeding at 15 months and still in that position on that side. .. Other side as normal. awkward but it worked for us

[ClearlyMoo]

Video for helping latch themilkmeg.com/video-of-the-laid-back-breastfeeding-position-encourage-your-baby-to-self-attach/

[squizita]

I always had decent latch and abundant milk but dd did this week 1! Thankfully calmed down since but still nurses in clusters eg can go 2-3 hr in the day happily ... 5-8 pm, eats every 40 min!

[flipflopsonfifthavenue]

Google "flipple technique" for a deeper latch

[PourquoiTuGachesTaVie]

5 hours again tonight and still going. Midwife is coming tomorrow so I'll ask her then.

Thanks for the suggestions and videos, I've had a look and will be trying these techniques out. Tried laid back feeding/biological nursing today but dd couldn't seem to manage it but I'll try again tomorrow.

So fucking tired. She's asleep but still sucking and if I move her then she'll wake.