Can't keep up!

[nannynome]

DS, 6 weeks, has been doing fine and we had finally got latch sorted, expressing sorted, got into a rhythm and got over cluster feeding.

This evening he has fed non stop for 4 hours :( he then started getting angry because my poor boobs were not keeping up with him. The right one was so sore I ended up expressing 100ml and giving it to him in a bottle.

He has had 230ml in bottles and been on my boobs since 5.30 :( I am not going to be able to keep up with him if he keeps doing this.

Anyone else had this problem? Even with the cluster feeding he wasn't this bad :(

[AndIFeedEmGunpowder]

6 week growth spurt. Absolute classic, and exhausting. You need cake and box sets.

[nannynome]

He already gained 1lb 2oz the week I thought he was cluster feeding. My boobs have nothing left and he is screaming at them :( what do you do when there is nothing left?

[RockCrushesLizard]

It sounds absolutely like a big growth spurt. Which obviously is not helpful to you at all!

Fun bf fact: the emptier your breasts are, the faster they make milk, because the milk contains a thing called FIL (no, not the in law kind), that slows down milk production. The more milk in your boobs, the slower the milk is made. Which stops your breasts exploding, so that's nice.

So when it seems like there's nothing at all there, it can be flowing as fast as ever. And your body is getting the sucking cues to make even more.

Having said that, I vividly remember those few evenings, especially being head butted by rage-baby. Sofa, lots to drink, it's normal, and most importantly, temporary!

[AnythingNotEverything]

Wow rock - great fact.

I wanted to add that of course you can keep up! Your body makes whatever your baby needs. Breastfeeding is a kind of magic

Get some cake and a flask of tea and make sure you've got the remote. And some Lansinoh.

[nannynome]

He is currently alternating between growling and punching my boob and dozing whilst licking it then he wakes up and shakes it like a terrier, Odd child! I am cakeless, in fact, due to a huge oversight my house is snackless :( wonder if I could persuade DH to find a garage.

[AnythingNotEverything]

A snackless breastfeeding woman is an absolute travesty. Send him out!

[nannynome]

I thought we only needed a couple of hundred calories more? I think I am doing something wrong, I haven't been snacking at all...

[RockCrushesLizard]

Listen, you've been feeding your child for six hours. Get that fool of a husband to indulge your every snack fancy!

I love the terrier image - its so apt!

[nannynome]

Have given up, now lying in bed having reorganised it for co-sleeping with a small growling baby farting and sleeping with a smile on his face and my nipple on his nose! If I try and move it he gets cross. Babies are weird!

[AnythingNotEverything]

Nanny - they say to eat to hunger. For me this meant at least four/meals a day and a tin of roses within reach at all times in the early days. I've read it's 500 extra calories ... But I'm eating like a horse and losing weight so don't really understand it.

DD is 15 weeks and I still find I'm eating extra - my increase in appetite is the first sign of a growth spurt!

[BonaDea]

As others have said. Growth spurt. Just keep going - your breasts make milk on demand so there will be more for him to have. This wont last forever, he is just upping your supply!

[petalsandstars]

Yy sounds like increasing supply through a growth spurt. Keep feeding on demand and it will settle down again.

[atthestrokeoftwelve]

What is his feeding like at other times of the day?
What about night feeds?

It's very common for babies to "cluster feed" in the evening and want to spend such a time at the breast. Babies are not actually feeding for 4 hours though, they will snack, fall asleep, another few sucks etc.
Feeding is hard work for a baby, if you watch a hungry baby breastfeed they will actively work and gulp quite fast.
I would be careful of your latch with your sore nipple.

I would make the most of being able to put your feet up in the evenings, have food drinks, book, remote control to hand, let other people fetch your stuff.

Once your baby is mobile you won't get the chance to sit down for four hours so enjoy it while you can.