Newborn constantly feeding in the night

[Itsaplayonwords]

My daughter is nearly 2 weeks old (born at 33 weeks). She is currently breast and bottle fed expressed breast milk. During the day she doesn't wake for every feed (she still has some jaundice and is also small) and it can be a struggle to get her to feed. However at night (from about 11pm onwards) she wants milk every hour or so. Her 3 hourly amount (calculated by SCBU) is 50ml. She had 60ml at 2am and then went to sleep but woke up at 3am wanting more. What's going on? Why is she so starving during the night but find during the day?

[FitLikeQuine79]

Congratulations on your new arrival. Unfortunately newborns are all over the place at first and will often have day and night mixed up. If she's not feeding much during the day she'll be making up for it at night. It's exhausting and I totally empathise as my two children were the same but it will get better and she'll get her days and nights in the right order. In the mean time do whatever you can to sleep when she sleeps (often easier said than done) and don't worry about much else apart from taking care of her and yourself. I found stripping a layer of clothing off and stroking their faces made my girls wake up more to feed, sometimes they're just too cosy and sleepy to take much milk. Good luck, it does get easier.

[BusyCee]

Congratulations!

Agree with what pp said. You might also Google 'the Fourth Trimester'. Your daughter hasn't really worked out that she's separate from you yet, and proximity to you is very important to her. For many babies crying and suckling isn't just about food, it's about feeling safe and secure - and moderating their bodies. Being close to you, feeling your heartbeat, breathing, temperature will help her to moderate her own homeostasis. It's is exhausting, but it's also a precious time. And it does pass. My 3rd DC is 9month and I remember well how draining it is - but to give you reassurance she's quite independent now already, has a regular bedtime and wakes only twice in the night.

Get as much help as you can. Don't worry about things in the house that don't need doing. Wear a groove on the sofa with the baby and the remote control. I used to treat night waking like the day time, just as my dc did, so would often watch an episode of something on catch up before getting back to bed. Catch up on sleep when she does (easier said than done sometimes, but it's important).

Good luck, and enjoy this time!

[squeezed]

Firstly congratulations.
The early days of feeding are just relentless. Your Dd won't know the difference between night and day yet unfortunately bit that will come. Babies tend to feed at night so much because this is when it can increase your supply the most.
Like fit said, look after yourself and rest whenever you can.

[GlenBelt]

Agree with everything everyone else has put. Ds is 6 months now and the constant night waking is a distant memory-it does get better! From my perspective, I think I spent too much time doing what other people thought I should do, you have to find whatever works for you, not every baby is the same so not all (well meaning) advice will apply. I had a baby who would not tolerate sleeping in his cot, I originally thought he was crying for milk every time as he would take the breast, in all likelihood it was just closeness and comfort he wanted. The older they get the more confident they will tend to be so they will need less assurance throughout the night and less time at the breast.

[BusyCee]

OP - how was last night?

[BusyCee]

Hope you got some rest and reassurance?

[Itsaplayonwords]

Much of the same! My OH did the bottle feed at 12.30 and was up for 2 hours with her constantly wanting more! I was then up with her at 3.30 and 4.30 for a breastfeed and then a bottle feed at 5.30. I'm fairly certain she's not getting much from breastfeeding (I have a whole other thread stressing about this) which is why we're giving bottles too as the doctors at SCBU want to know how much she's getting because she's small and hasn't yet got back to her birth weight. I've been advised not to try feeding on demand until she's over her birth weight and still gaining. You would think with the bottles that she would settle fine once she's had a decent feed (she had 100ml at one point last night and then 85ml 3 hours later, 50ml is her 3 hourly amount!)

My eldest daughter is at nursery tomorrow so at least me and DH can try to get a bit of sleep in the day.

Thanks everyone for the responses. Hopefully her routine will gradually shift and she'll start to have her hungry time during the day, or at least not ALL night!

[BusyCee]

I know nothing about mixed feeding In the early days, I'm afraid. You could try speaking to Le Leche League, or a breast feeding counsellor at your local (what used to be) SureStart centre. Sure HVs could put you in touch too.

Another thought; what about a sling? Sometimes wearing them for a bit can help? Wraps, rather than carriers.

Good luck. Sleep deprivation is an utter utter bastard. Are you eating well? Loads of greens and red meat, to keep you feisty. Granny would approve.