First time I've posted but it's 5am and I need some advice. Baby is 5 days old and tonight has been horrible...he seems to need winding non-stop and screams until I can finally bring up a burp. Then he wants to feed straight away, but is only on the breast for 5/10 mins before he pulls off. I then burp him, and by the time that is done he wants the breast again. If he does go quiet and I try to put him down to sleep he starts screaming and acting like he hasn't been fed in hours, but as soon as he goes on the breast he falls asleep in a few minutes. It's a horrible cycle and I can't tell whether he is fed enough and is uncomfortable from gas, or whether actually he needs more feeding or whether he's just playing up.
first of all, a 5 day old can't "play up". A 5 YEAR old can...sometimes
but seriously, has your milk come in properly? They feed in a frenzy to dial up more milk and your hormones are better at encouraging milk production at night.
Is he peeing and pooing okay? its very early days, but maybe ask you midwife for advice.
otherwise just keep feeding and feeding. He should be put to the breast 12 to 15 times over a 24 hour period at this early stage. Your boobs are stimulated to produce every time he suckles - it is very important for milk production. Its tiring but hang in there
Yep they do this. Newborns can feed for hours and hours. Day 5 was the worst for both of mine as well.. up all night feeding.. wondering how they can fit so much into their tiny bodies. Baby is stimulating your supply. It's also a massive shock to them being in the real world and the boob is a source of comfort.
Apart from the burping, DD did this. She had a weak suck, exhausted herself, fell asleep, then woke up again hungry. Call your community midwife and ask about mixed feeding.
Normal I'm afraid but it gets better. I was constantly winding my children they're very windy lol You can feel the wind, as you hold your baby against you their windy ness is half way down their back over towards your right arm so use your left hand to wind as it's easier Then just sleep when you can and swaddle your baby for naps too
Totally normal and totally exhausting! The first few weeks are bloody hard. Baby is stimulating your milk supply, so will feed like mad for a few days to let your breasts know he wants food and wants it now!
It’s usually the time people think they don’t have enough milk and start topping up with formula. If you want to continue breastfeeding try and avoid this as missing a breastfeed now will mean your body won’t produce enough milk, and the cluster feeding then becomes a vicious cycle.
So, feed feed feed! Get snacks and drinks within reach, and settle down for a few days. It IS hard, but the pay off is so worth it (no sterilising!)
Try infacol drops at every feed to see if that helps with his winding.
Get in touch with your local breastfeeding service (give it a google) and either pop down to a breastfeeding clinic or get someone to come out to check his latch and see if he has tongue tie which is causing an ineffective latch and tiring him out before he gets enough milk. Heath visitors aren’t usually trained in spotting a tongue tie, so you do need someone who knows what they’re looking for.
Well done! I know they first few days are hard but it does pass. Congratulations on your lovely baby!
Everything teddy says. Another vote for normal here. I remember my dd doing this (she was preterm and jaundiced and could only suck for a very short time at first) you just don’t know what they want and I’m not sure they do either but it does pass and will most likely be so much easier in a few weeks. Mine became a very efficient feeder in the end and only ever stayed on about 5 mins each side. Does he have a more ‘wakey’ time? I’d spend that feeding as much as possible.
Thank you everyone. It's really helpful just to hear that this is all normal. As this is my first I just spend the whole time worrying that things aren't as they should be. And also wondering what on earth he's getting from my boobs since he's on them so much I'm surprised anything is left! But the whole thing about keeping the supply going makes it sound worthwhile so I'll persevere! Also doesn't help that my nipples are now very sore...
Congratulations! Just adding my voice to the many, very frequent feeding is normal at that age. Even if he is not drinking at every given moment the suckling will be helping your supply and will be comforting your DS. If your worried about the wind maybe get your midwife or HV to check your latch as that can sometimes be the cause of wind. For now, sit tight, Netflix or some good box sets are your friends
Cross posted with you, lanolin is the best, I know it is expensive but honestly it's worth it. My HV and midwife had loads of samples so I didn't have to go out to the shops for a few more days, might be worth asking.
