Is constant feeding for hours normal for a baby?

[Lucky13]

I was wondering whether it was normal for an 8 day old baby to want feeding constantly during the night?

Since my milk has come in, little bub wants feeding for at least 5 hours during the night. I stop to wind her after she comes off the breast, but as soon as i try and lie her down she will not stop crying. I've tried everything and only giving her the breast again will calm her.

She never brings up wind, but has a v windy bottom instead.

I've been using nipple shields and thought that maybe these may give her more wind?

I know its v early days but i didn't know if this was normal or not?

[Spockster]

Oh yes; the little buggers can feeed & feed & feed for the first few weeks, til you feel you can't take any more, but then all of a sudden you realise it's settled down & you've got into a routine of sorts...if you are keen to BF then just try hard to put up with it! Some say the night feeds are especially important to establish BF...it may be wind, but frankly there is little you can do about it, if it is.

[Brangelina]

Yes it's normal and something they somehow forget to tell you to expect at antenatal class. You will become adept at doing things one-handed with a babe at your breast, including going to the loo....

It does pass, though. Just seems to last forever.

[Lucky13]

Thanks, yes i wish they told you what to expect when pregnant, just so you didn't feel quite so useless!

As for the latch - i'm sure its not right. I know it was wrong the first day, but it was too late and my nipples were destroyed (hence the nipple shields). Since then i've had 5 different midwives look at it and they all say its fine and its just painful because my nipples are recovering.

i've also looked at the videos on the web and again it looks right, but i'm not so sure.

I keep feeding from each breast to try and make sure she gets the hindmilk. At least thats what i think i'm supposed to do - i never realised breastfeeding was so complicated!!

[Spockster]

One side each feed! Don't switch over the the other side until you are sure the first is empty. Then she will get plenty of the hindmilk and will feel fuller for longer.

[BroccoliSpears]

Congrats and well done.
Yes, mine did that too.
It doesn't last forever

[mindy26]

my DD is now 9 weeks old and still bfs constantly, i can be sitting feeding for 3 hours then get a20 min break and shes wanting fed again, i dont mind all that much as i just love bf her, its just the sore bum from sitting that kills me lol.

[Lucky13]

Thanks all for the support. Mommalove - I'm going to phone the numbers later to see if someone can help with the latch - thanks.

Sorry i meant that i continue with each breast until empty rather swapping.

Mindy - i'm very impressed with your 3 hour feeds. Although i hope i'll get more time than that by 9 weeks otherwise my bum will be flat!!