Cluster Feeding - help please

[Themolehole]

My 2 month olds cluster feeding has suddenly gone to a whole new level. When he was born he had low oxygen, iv antibiotics, 11% weight loss and a 90% tongue tie (snip done at 3 weeks but hasn't really helped). He was readmitted with jaundice and my milk supply hadn't come in so I expressed and bottle fed from about 10 days. From about 4 weeks and after his tongue tie procedure I started breast feeding solely during the day and just giving the expressed bottles from about 11 at night. He now is back up to his original percentile weight of 75%. I tried BF once during the night and I couldn't get him to sleep more than half an hour at a time as he'd fall a sleep very quickly each feed. I still use nipple shields as hell only latch without for short periods of time and with a lot of fuss. The problem now is when he's cluster feeding and I try to move him to a bottle at night and he's not accepting it. He then screams for hours and refuses to latch also because he's in such a tizz. BF during the day he feeds every hour unless having a 2 hour nap and I just don't know what to do as to me that suggest he doesn't BF well. I've been to infant feeding and breastfeeding cafes and they all say his latch with a shield is good. Should I give up BF to stop the nipple confusion and just give expressed bottles? Should I give up bottles and just accept never sleeping? Should I stop taking the shields away because I think maybe that's adding to the confusion? I feeling totally defeated today

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

Sorry OP, I haven’t got time to post a reply but hopefully this will bump for you

[AssassinatedBeauty]

This constant feeding could be a fairly temporary thing if he's trying to increase your supply.

When you breastfeed without nipple shields is it painful for you?

[Themolehole]

Thanks JiltedJohnsJulie

AssassinatedBeauty, think my supply is ok as when I pump I can get between 180-240ml per session which I think is pretty large when reading online. Although in the early evening my boobs do feel pretty empty. It doesn't hurt not using the shields, it's just he'll come on and off the breast again each min, where as with a shield he can feed for 40 mins at a time

[Themolehole]

I honestly don't know what to do anymore. He's been cluster feeding since 5pm now 1am and I'm coming close to having no sleep in 24 hours .. my boobs are empty but he's still refusing to take a bottle. Every time I put him down he wakes within a few mins and starts rooting/crying. I really don't know what to do

[Goostacean]

Hi OP, bumping for you, as I’m not an expert.

First of all, please try to stay calm- it won’t hurt him to cry for a few mins, so pop to the loo/get a drink etc, take care of yourself

Rereading carefully, I’m wondering how you’re offering the bottle? Are you changing between bottle and nipple repeatedly? Maybe if you cover up with a clean top (I always got milk all over me!) and repeatedly offer the bottle, he may calm down after 10-15 mins and accept it?

Not quite the same, but when my DS was very fussy at night we had a phase of needing to let him just cry it out- whilst holding him, etc. It always broke my heart, but my DH is made of stronger stuff ;) and held baby til he wore himself out a bit, and usually fell asleep!

Do you have someone there who can help?

[Goostacean]

Oh, and have you tried swaddling, and putting him down onto a warm bed? Or would you be prepared to try safe cosleeping in your bed? Apologies if, as I suspect, you’ve tried everything - but just thought I’d ask!

Thinking of you. This too shall pass, although it’s hard to believe right now.

[Themolehole]

Thanks goosyacean, I'll definitely give some of those a go. I hadn't thought about changing my top. I've done swaddling but I'm not sure I'd be able to sleep cosleeping. My hubby is around at weekends so I think I'll ask him to try the bottle. I'm feeling so sad at the thought of giving up breastfeeding as I love it at points, but the cluster feeding and no sleep during the night is killing me and it takes up over 12 hours of madness. I've waited so long for my rainbow and it's just so sad that those 12 hours seem so hard. He's getting his tongue tie reassessed at 4 so hopefully that'll provide some new information.

[Goostacean]

It’s really tough :( Have things been better since the other night?