Can you get knackered norks from overuse?

[DMCWelshCakes]

DS is 4.5 weeks & fed every hour, all night long. This is the 3rd night in a row he's done that & my nipples are now very tender & my right breast feels like I've been punched.

He's gaining weight well & feeding doesn't hurt apart from when he partially unlatches & twists about.

I've been reading lots of threads on this board & have come to the conclusion that 4 weeks can be a bit of a testing time. Is this just another one of those 4-week hassles that will go away?

[peacemoon]

hi,being a boy its probably a growth/feeding spurt,they do that!But make sure he is properly feeding and not just using u as a comforter!But dont worry he will calm down again.|I do feel for u it's hard but its all worth it in the end!

[RitaMorgan]

Not sure what difference being a boy makes - girls have growth spurts too

I think it can be easy to let the latch slip a bit in the night when you're tired and it's dark. I definitely did my nips some damage when I was getting to grips with feeding lying down and the positioning wasn't great.

With the unlatching/twisting - does he need to burp?

I wouldn't worry about comfort feeding either, comfort is just as important as nutrition, and so long as the latch is good it shouldn't do any damage.

[EauRouge]

There's nothing wrong with 'comfort' feeding, it's very important that the baby is allowed to feed on demand to make sure your supply keeps up. It is knackering when they have a growth spurt but it doesn't last long. Is there a sore patch on your breast? Can you see any redness or feel any lumps?

Here are some tips on reducing the nipple soreness.

[peacemoon]

No this is nothing wrong with comfort feeding until you become so sleep deprived u cant think straight especially if u have other kids too! Feeding on demand is different to comforting on demand.
And yes girls have growth spurts too but not to the same extent or frequency as boys!

[RitaMorgan]

I have never heard that girls and boys differ in growth spurts before - do you have a link for that?

[DMCWelshCakes]

I don't have any red patches or lumps. It's more that where my breast joins my chest is tender all the way around. I've been very careful to make sure DS empties breast fully & that there aren't any blockages (really don't fancy the thought of mastitis). DS isn't particularly good at bringing up wind so that may well have something to do with the twisting.

The problem is that I also have 2.9 yo DD to look after too & I'm not finding it particularly easy at the moment. DiddyDragon is being quite testing & I really need to be on the ball to deal with her & keep her safe. (I've started other threads on how to cope with her & DS.)

I really hope it does all settle down at 6 weeks - I only have another week & a half to go if that's the case.

[japhrimel]

Really don't think there is a difference generally between girl & boy growth spurts, even if there is in one family. DD had crazy growth spurts, but a friend with a boy hasn't really noticed them.

It is easy at night to let the latch slip and cause a bit of damage, so be careful about this.

Although it can actually be hard to maintain a good latch when doing so, feeding in a sling might make it easier to look after other children.

If it is a growth spurt, you need to not curtail extra sucking as it helps stimulate the extra milk needed. If you try to limit feeds during a growth spurt, your supply will struggle to adjust.

[MigGril]

peacemoon - that may be your experance but I'd say the opersit if I only went of my own experance. DD was a big feeder and sure noticed growth spurts, I've hardly noticed them with DS.

Comfort feeding isn't just about comfort it's about nutrition to they are still getting milk, as other's have said feeding lying down and a sling are good when you have another to look after. Does you DD go to preschool? or do you have people who can come and help out.

I must admite to find it very helpfull that DD was in preschool when DS came along.