10week old vomiting and long bf sessions

[Bella1985]

My 10 week old DS is bf (he refuses expressed breast milk from a bottle) and he feeds for a very long time whilst we're at home. I've let him do it up until now as I was trying to trust that there's a reason for it (upping supply or something) but I'm not so sure now as there's no sign of things changing.

I've spent the last 2 hours with him feeding and I know that if I don't leave the house this afternoon he will continue to be at the breast for hours on end, resisting sleep and taking cat naps instead and screaming for milk within 10 mins if I dare put him down to sleep.

If we go out I feed him when I get a chance but he'll feed for perhaps 20mins and settle a bit. once we're back in the house he just wants to feed all the time. Is there anything I can do?

He's also sick after most feeds so even when he does sleep and I put him down, within an hour he will wake up crying and vomit and then he wants to feed again, and then we start the whole process again... He does manage a 5-6 hour stretch at night but the rest of the time is a mixture of long feeds, cat naps, and vomiting.

HV advised us that everything is fine with the vomiting because he's gaining weight well and is happy in himself when he's awake, but I'm starting to wonder if this is the underlying problem and I should take him to the gp.

Anyone else had a similar experience?

[Coconut0il]

I've been there with the constant feeding. DS2 was attached to me permanently, if he was feeding for hunger or comfort I don't know but he cried every time he was off the breast. It was tough at the start but I just followed his lead. I set myself up on the settee with drinks and snacks and worked my way through a few box sets. DP made me meals and cut them up so I could eat them with one hand. We did try to go out each day but only for very short periods because DS2 would want feeding again. Sometimes he would bring milk back up, because he'd filled his little tummy up too much I think but like your DS after a change of clothes he'd get straight back on for more milk.
I don't think there is anything you can do apart from wait it out. DS2 was a total bottle refuser but as he got older he started going slightly longer between feeds. I think there was a change at about 4 months.
He's 18 months now and still bf morning and night but I really miss those first months snuggled on the sofa.
It's so tough when you're in it but honestly it won't be forever.

[Chocolatedreamsandtea]

He's prob comfort feeding.

Maybe try stopping after 20 mins Abd see if you can cuddle or sling him to sleep?

[Chocolatedreamsandtea]

Also try baby Gaviscon for reflux - might help the vomiting and stop him wanting to comfort feed - he'll want to feed as he's got a bad tummy but then it makes the prob worse

[Bella1985]

Thanks for your responses.

coconutoil I'm set up permanently on the sofa with netflix and for the most part I enjoy it, but needed a little reassurance that others have been in the same position and that it will get a bit better at some point!!

chocolatedresandtea thanks, I agree about the bas tummy, he wants to feed post vomit but that's just fuel for the next one. I'm afraid at the moment I don't find that I can cuddle him to sleep as he only sees me as his food supply so he frantically roots for milk, even if he's been feeding for hours. DH can hug him to sleep, I can only successfully feed him to sleep, which adds to the length of time he spends on the boob

Thanks again, it's tough being a first time mum!

[ExplodedCloud]

It sounds like reflux. The sucking helps them keep the acid down. A dummy can really help. Also try a wedge or raise the head of his bed up to help keep milk in his tummy. Holding him upright can also help if you do it for a while after feeds. Gaviscon is another route but it can cause constipation.

[Coconut0il]

Honestly Bella It will get better. Gradually they go longer and linger between feeds. You don't really notice it at the time but it does get better.