8 day old is constsntly feeding!

[user1493011399]

Hi

My daughter is 8 days old and for about 2 days she has been feeding every hour. I'm breastfeeding and I know this can be the case but during the night I gave her 2 bottles as I needed to have a rest. She had nearly 2 ounces at 1am, then had another 3 ounces at 3am and woke up at 5.30am and I have fed her again.
Is this normal? I'm really worried that if I'm giving her the bottles I will end up over feeding her plus the fact she was only little when born (5in 9). I'm a first time mum and feel drained as when I eventually fall to sleep she wakes up for another feed!

[user1493011399]

Hi

My daughter is 8 days old and for about 2 days she has been feeding every hour. I'm breastfeeding and I know this can be the case but during the night I gave her 2 bottles as I needed to have a rest. She had nearly 2 ounces at 1am, then had another 3 ounces at 3am and woke up at 5.30am and I have fed her again.
Is this normal? I'm really worried that if I'm giving her the bottles I will end up over feeding her plus the fact she was only little when born (5in 9). I'm a first time mum and feel drained as when I eventually fall to sleep she wakes up for another feed!

[Mrscog]

That is completely normal I'm afraid. You can't really iverfeed a baby - they self regulate. However I would be cautious giving two bottles in succession if you're serious about breastfeeding - it's quite early days for your supply and the middle of the night feeds when your milk production hormones are highest. I would advise just one at this stage until your supply is established.

The hourly night feeds are a killer but they soon go.

[Foreverhopeful22]

Perfectly normal,

You won't ever over feed her she will stop when she has had enough.

Bottles were my relief as my husband could help .

If you think about how small there tummies are they only feed little and often

It gets easier the bigger she gets as she will take more and more larger amounts

[Blossom789]

It's the toughest thing you can do but you're doing a great job. Do what you need to do to get through. Does baby sleep a little longer if in the pram or car? If so recruit a friend or family member to take baby out so you can rest

[Elllicam]

I think about 8 days is the worst time. All 3 of mine did continuous night feeds for the first 10 days- 2 weeks. It was worst with my first because I didn't know it would get better so quickly. They are establishing their supply apparently but it is still hellish.

[Crumbs1]

It's perfectly normal young babies feed frequently whilst supply is being established. If you want to,continue breastfeeding you may want to limit the number of bottles of formula as that will feed the baby and reduce breast milk demands so affect supply. Baby feeding and breast milk supply are inextricably linked through a very effective bi-feedback mechanism.

[1bighappyfamily]

Totally normal but I promise it gets better. And 8 days is completely normal - my second did it at 10 days. I literally didn't move off the couch for 24 hours.

[tiktok]

If she's gaining weight and happy then you should be confident all is well. What's the benefit in giving bottles in the night....it did not make her feed any less and you were still awake having to give the bottle, so no rest there :)

Hope things get a bit easier for you soon. It is HARD WORK looking after a newborn.

[MagnumAddict]

OP I remember this feeling well, this CAN'T be normal!!! I even tracked how many times I was feeding in an app so I could share with my midwife. I expected horror when I told her I was feeding up to 20 times in s 24 hour period. Nope, perfectly normal.

It's a lot to deal with but it helped me to think about feeding as my new full time job if that makes any sense, just take it one day at a time. It's relentless now but honestly it gets so much easier. I breastfed for a year and attending weekly breastfeeding support classes through the toughest times really helped me.

Basically do what you can to survive but my experience was nighttime feeds meant me practically still sleeping as I did it and barely interrupted me whereas I would have found making bottles a faff. I do appreciate however it means no one can take over feeding. I was envious about that bit a few times.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do. Don't buy into feeling guilty regardless. You are doing a great job, congratulations on your little bundle

[Blossom789]

I remember when I spoke to health visitor/midwife when DS was this age they'd either say he was cluster feeding or having a growth spurt it used to drive me crazy! (But they were right).

I was on a desperate search for answers but there aren't any just believe it does start to ease.

Try some feeds feeding lying down as you can rest more and is far safer than trying to stay awake in a chair.

[agentace]

You sound like you're doing brilliantly. Mine fed up to 20-22 times a day for a while. Exhausting. But it does calm down. Bottles can be a lifesaver just check you don't end up giving too many and affecting your milk supply (if you are choosing to bf fairly exclusively for a while). Hang in there. It's tough.