Dh just announced he thinks I'm feeding dd too often

[LandUnderWave]

Not the most helpful thing he's ever said but there you go
Dd is just over 2 weeks old. Bf which so far he really not gone smoothly, mastitis then nipple thrush and still really painful to feed her, think latch not great but can't see anyone until next weds.
She is feeding prob every 1.5-2 hours in the day, will often have one side then doze off then wake for second side
She will go one longish stretch at night eg 3-4 hours. Was up feeding from 4-6 this am which is a killer
Does this sound like too much??

[Gigondas]

No it sounds about normal- doze then feed was pattern for both my two at this age.

Next Wednesday is a long time for you to wait though when going through all of this- is there a drop in place or anywhere else you can go?

[GupX]

No. Sounds totally normal.

My DTs (also ebf) fed on a pattern similar to this until at least 10-12 weeks old (sorry!).

Congratulations on your DD

[cluelessnchaos]

Totally normal, well done

[SquishyCinnamonSwirls]

Sounds normal to me. Make sure you're eating and drinking well yourself too. There must be a bf clinic or similar local to you, Wednesday is a long time away.

[mathanxiety]

Sounds like a DH needs to crack open a baby care book.

He should familiarise himself with breastfeeding, which is different from bottle feeding.

[EvenIfYouSeeAPoppy]

Absolutely normal. A 3-4hr stretch is pretty brilliant at that age, tbh.

I think a lot of people don't understand infant feeding and particularly breastfeeding if they haven't been around it a lot - the intense, little-and-often nature of it. If it really bothers your dh, perhaps you could have a look at some breafteeding info on the net (one of the bf counselling organisations or kellymom) - there are some great explanations of demand feeding out there.

[EvenIfYouSeeAPoppy]

Forgot to say you're doing a great job and definitely the right thing to get someone to check the latch. Is the pain more soreness or is it from the mastitis?

[NimpyWindowMash]

Tell your DH that, for a 2 week old it is normal to be feeding this much, and a routine is not really the thing at this stage.

[ZuleikaD]

Yes, your DH needs to familiarise himself with how breastfeeding works. He could read kellymom for some good info. Feeding every 90 minutes/2 hours is perfectly normal and very good.

[ChunkyPickle]

The thing that brought home how often they need to feed was a description of the size of their stomach at that age, when put next to how much weight they were expected to gain (and the fact that they'll be peeing most of the weight of the milk out, as it's water)

DH needs to read the purple book (or whatever colour it is now!)

[LandUnderWave]

Thank you thank you all
Will be having a chat with him later re nature of bf!
Pain is def in nipple when she latches on, really really sore but persevering
Had a look but next weds is the drop in clinic at local hosp, don't think there's anything before then

[DefiniteMaybe]

do you not have a breastfeeding helpline? In our area they put a sticker in the front of the red book with a number on Thats 24hours. Failing that, your health visitor could be able to help you before you go to the drop in on Wednesday.

[tutu100]

Well done for getting this far. What you are describing sounds absolutely normal. And frequent feeds are a killer, but the pay off is when they get bigger feeds get less frequent and quicker, plus you don't have the faff of sterilising bottle so it is worth it!

With regards to the pain, it is worth getting it checked out, but I had toe curling pain at the start of feeds with both my ds's for the first few weeks. Literally grit my teeth and breathe through it kind of pain. I had both of them checked for latch which was fine. I was convinced I was doing it wrong as all the books said that if you were breastfeeding correctly it wouldn't hurt. Once i spoke to people about it everyone bar one person said they had pain when feeding for a while.

have you got a drop in breastfeeding clinic you could maybe pop into?

[tutu100]

Meant to also ask does the pain go away or get better as she carries on feeding, and is it worse when your let down reflex goes and the milk starts flowing quickly? (that was the real killer bit for me).

[Mama1980]

Sounds totally normal ds fed every 2 hours and cluster fed at night. If you feel the latch isn't great though I'd try a breast feeding helpline maybe before Wednesday, I remember the pain well!

[LandUnderWave]

Pain never completely goes but does get a bit better after initial latch
Having to grit teeth through most feeds though which is really no fun
Good idea re helpline, will have a look for numbers

[fhdl34]

Sounds perfectly normal, drag him to a BF cafe for some education, they'll welcome a dad coming along. I dragged my DH to a breastfeeding workshop for expectant parents so we both understood how it worked, helped with the Qs from his FF family as well, because he was as educated about it as I was.

[RedKites]

I agree with everyone else. If you have a local helpline, then try that, but if not or you can't get through then try one of the national helplines (blue box on the right).

[mathanxiety]

Latch

While one arm holds the baby, the other hand is formed into a letter C shape, thumb on top, and squeezing the boob hard enough (harder than it appears in this diagram) that it isn't at all floppy, making it relatively easy to direct the entire nipple and areola easily right into the baby's mouth so the baby doesn't have to suck it in. Picture isn't great, but if baby is feeding on the left side use your right hand and if on the right use your left hand. You need to really squeeze.

[monkeypuzzeltree]

Wish our DCs would agree with your dh! My son is doing similar at 11 weeks, never goes more than 2 hours during day and wakes at 2/3 each night.

Thrush- just make sure you keep using the cream, I've had it twice, had the tabs too, but you need to treat for 2 weeks after symptoms have gone or it comes back

Congratulations!

[PrimaBallerina]

I had terrible pain for the first 4-5 weeks and then it was completely painless so I don't agree that it never stops.

Also DS fed every 1.5 to 2 hours for the first few weeks. You sound right on track.

[LandUnderWave]

Thanks again all
Math- that pic and yr post v helpful, thanks
Have phoned bf network and had v helpful chat to lady there
Today has been a bit better in terms of pain so keeping fingers crossed