My newborn has been insisting on feeding constantly for over 7 hours ... HELP!

[Havingkittens]

My nipples are going to fall off! He's not even 2 days old so my constant sitting up and shifting to get him comfy are not doing my stitches any favours either.

Last night he slept through from 2am until about 7. Is this my penance?

[pootlebug]

My first was like this in the early few days. Can you hand him to your partner for a bit? I found she sometimes settled better when she couldn't smell the milk etc. not for long but at least it allowed me a couple of hours sleep.

[TanteRose]

Congratulations!

this is completely normal - until your milk comes in properly, he will be constantly feeding, to get the colostrum (tiny amounts of wondermilk!)

when your milk comes in, he will be able to fill up a bit more at each feed, and hopefully sleep a bit too.

Yesterday's long sleep was due to the fact that he'd just had a rather exhausting birth experience

His job now is to send signals to YOUR body to produce milk.

Hang in there - get some lansinoh for your nips (you don't have to wipe it off, its good for sore/cracked nipples)

you are doing GREAT!

what's his name?

[Emilythornesbff]

Oh you poor thing. Those first days are really something else!p

Assuming he's well, I would say it sounds like he's feeding frequently to stimulate your milk to come in.
Does he latch on well? Has he has a wee?

This will improve. Be prepared for big boobs tomorrow and lots of milk coming in.
Maybe get over to the "how to stay awake" thread too, there's always some wakeful mums about.
Make sure you've got plenty to drink and some snacks and enough pillows etc.
Is DP helping out?
Em.

[Emilythornesbff]

Congratulations btw.

[YouYoniLiveTwice]

You are baby's world. He seeks comfort and nourishment in you. His stomach is soo tiny too. I know it's hard but as the others have said, it will get easier. The first few weeks are really tough. Make sure you've got plenty of fluid and food to hand.

Enjoy the newborn snuggles and that smell that only newborns have :)

[Havingkittens]

Hello, thanks for the replies. OH just took him for an hour so I could sleep but then he started demanding a feed again. He seems quite strong and healthy and has had a wee this evening, if not before. It's hard to tell as he's produced a lot of very full nappies.

It's about 4am and he's hardly been off my breast since 6pm. We were doing OK after the breast feeding lady visited me in the hospital this morning but now I can't get him to loosen his latch, so my nips are really tender and sore. Not cracked as yet but already covered in Lansinoh! I will have to call the breast feeding lady tomorrow, I think.

His name is Alfie by the way. He's adorable, but boy, I wish he'd go to sleep now! I hurt all over