PLEASE tell me this is just a phase and won't last forever, starting to feel a bit desperate!

[Olihan]

Ds2 is 3 weeks + 4 days and exclusively bf. I didn't manage to feed my other 2 dcs for this long so I'm feeling a bit out of my depth with the whole bf thing. Anyway, ds2 is warm, pink, alert, having 4-5 yellow poos a day, lots of wet nappies which I think means he's getting plenty of milk. I don't know what his weight gain is like but he had put on some when we were signed off from the mw at 14 days although he wasn't quite back to his birthweight of 10lbs 2oz. HV is coming tomorrow to weigh him.

What I'm confused about is the amount he feeds. I know cluster feeding is common in the evenings but he seems to do it in the mornings too. From about 6am until about 11am he will pretty much feed constantly, with no more than half an hour between latchings. At times he falls asleep but not for more than 10/15 minutes. Around lunchtime he settles down a bit and will only have a couple of feeds before the evening feedathon starts at about 7pm until 11pm. He'll then feed every 2 - 2.5 hours through the night.

Is this normal for this stage of bf? If it is, I can cope with it but I'm worrying that it means something isn't quite right. Having failed to bf twice before I don't have much confidence in my body's ability to do it.

Any advice or similar experiences would be gratefully received, I just need a bit of reassurance!

[foundintranslation]

Normal!
From your description of your ds (alert, wees, poos etc.) it sounds like you're doing great. At 3-4 weeks your ds is still building up supply. It will eventually settle down (don't be surprised if it takes a bit longer than you imagined).

[Philomena]

This sounded a lot like my DS at that age. This week has been the same - he is now 13 weeks but generally he just cluster feeds in the evening now.

I know it is easy to say, but relax, put your feet up and let him feed.

You're doing great!

[sniff]

it was normal for all 3 of mine to feed like this and didnt last to long but it was tiring at the time it might be partly for comfort but all mine definnatly seemed to be guzzling milk

[LIZS]

Sounds within "normal" for a newborn tbh. Why not call a Brestfeeding Counsellor to check your latch and position in case it is less than efficient and he may be mroe settled but otherwise you both sound as if you doing well.

[mamama]

Sounds perfectly normal to me. There were times when I felt like all mine did was bf.

If your DS looks & acts as if he's ok and has plenty of wet/ pooey nappies, I'm sure he's fine. You could always check with your HV, if you're not sure.

Congrats on your LO & on successful breastfeeding. Sounds like you're doing really well!

[Plibble]

And it is just a phase, and it won't last forever!
Just go with it - you should have confidence in your body - it sounds like all the right things are happening.

[VoodooBiltong]

gawd reading this brings it all back. dd seemed to just hang off my boobs all day and all night, the other posters are right, he doesnt know when he is full yet, he is building up supply and getting close to you, his lovely mummy!!!!!!

well done, you should be so proud of yourself. Look after yourself as best you can, eat lots DO NOT DIET and get loads of rest.

I am still bf dd at 7 mths, I never thought I could withstand it this long, but I love it and we have a fab bond, IMO mostly due to me bf her for hours on end!

Well done you X

[Olihan]

Wow, thanks for all the quick reassurances . I think sometimes he is comfort sucking, which I don't mind as I figure it's all good for building up supply. He does sometimes refuse to latch on and prefers to suck my finger so I know he's full up then!

The morning feeding is making life tricky with ds1 and dd because I can't get anything done with them but if it's not going to last for long then I'm happy just to go with it.

With the latch issue - if I'm not in any pain at all during feeds, haven't had any cracked nipples/blocked ducts etc so far, despite the constant feeding, is the latch going to be okay or is it still worth getting in touch with a LLL or NCT counsellor and getting it checked?

[MerryMarigold]

I think this is normal. I'm sure my ds was very similar, esp at this very young age, although my memory isn't great (I was fairly out of it at the time with lack of sleep!). I'd say he is feeding as much as he needs to.

Congrats on managing to do it, and even coping so well with another child! Your body really does know what it is doing, and so does your ds. It's all so 'automatic' at that age. Your body made the baby fine and delivered the baby, it can definitely feed the baby too.

Take care and enjoy all those snuggly times with your little one, when you are not too tired!

[Plibble]

If you're not getting any pain at all dispite feeding all the time and you can hear him gulping then I would have thought your latch is fine. Really, it sounds as though it is just working for you (exactly as nature intended). You should be very pleased! Of course ring LLL,NCT or your HV if you need someone to have a look and reassure you, but if it aint broke...

[kiskidee]

get a sling so that he can stay latched on and you can get things done.

look halfway down for instructions on how it it done.

you can even make your own. here