About to lose my mind

[plannedshock]

I've fed my dd since 5.30pm constantly. she's screamed her head off every single time she's put down, but is falling asleep on the boob. Feeding until she's sick then feeding more. I feel like I'm going to lose my fucking mind, she's got thrush, I keep giving her her medicine and trying to put cream on my nipples but because she's feeding constantly it's not being used properly. Me and dp just had a row because this is the 7th week of this and had 4hrs accumulated sleep last night he's just taken her out to drive to the next town for a dummy. Which I didn't want. The constant holding and screaming is making my jaw lock with frustration!!! This is my 2nd my 1st was exactly the same! I'm just venting, no solution just aaarrrggghhhh!!!!

[dinoswore]

It's bloody hard, sometimes, isn't it?

You're doing an amazing job. All will be well.

[avocadotoast]

& for you OP. My DD is only 3 weeks but after only having 3 hours sleep Saturday night I feel your pain!

We'll get there. It'll get easier (I hope!).

[ancientbuchanan]

It's bloody awful. DS alternated screaming, being sick, feeding slowly. You could hear him at the other end of the road. The only thing that helped at all was being put in his pram next to the clapped out washing machine. I was beside myself. So sympathy, empathy, get a nice glass of sherry.

[lexyloub]

There's nothing wrong with having a dummy especially if she's already using you as said dummy it's easy enough to take away when she's older

[TwiggyHeart]

Dont stress about the dummy, if it works it works. Also go back to the GP and ask for tablets for you for thrush, they will always give cream in the first instance but it's as good as useless if you wiping it off every 10 minutes. Good luck OP

[CheerfulYank]

I'm with you. DS is four weeks and eats constantly between 8 pm and 4 am, or so it seems. I'm so tired!

Holding your hand in solidarity! It will get better. It has to!

[chumbler]

try reading Sarah ockwell smiths baby calm sleep book (it's called something like that), it really helped me, mainly helped me to feel much better about it this will pass x

[CakeRattleandRoll]

Agree with PPs that there is nothing wrong with having a dummy if she'll take it. Try different shapes to find one she likes. Much better to have a dummy than tired and stressed parents!

[confusedandemployed]

Embrace the dummy! It is a godsend and no-one will give you a medal for letting her use your boob instead.

[NickyEds]

Definitely get the dummy! It sounds like your baby just wants to suck.

[SabrinnaOfDystopia]

There's only one thing worse than caving and buying a dummy (when you didn't want to...) and that's caving, buying a dummy and having baby refuse it.

But no, there's nothing wrong with dummies - my ds2 took to one, and it did calm him when he wasn't hungry, but wanted some comfort.

[ODog]

Dummies rock, however it didn't stip my DS cluster feeding every evening just as you describe. One day though he just didn't do it (I think around 10/12weeks). It's so tough, but as PPs have said you are doing a great job and as often said on MN. Hang in there, this too shall pass!

[catsharingmychair]

Hi

Just wondered if she was trying to feed so much and falling asleep through sheer effort - but not actually getting enough each time?

Any chance she may be still hungry? Would I be utterly heinous in suggesting a bottle occasionally (don't shoot!)- just so you know she's getting enough?

I appreciate you may not welcome this suggestion, but what I found was that mine was hungry all the time and simply didn't actually take down enough through BF- so was permanently hungry and tired (not a good combo for any parent)! So offering mainly breast but some bottle might be an idea if you are not doing this already - if you are, you could maybe keep a written diary on what is happening each time and take this to your doctor or show health visitor. They may be able to spot a pattern.

Or ..is she getting pain from the feeding - some kind of acid reflux - this doesn't manifest always with vomiting - just screaming in discomfort. Permanent indigestion type pain...if so, you could (again please don't shoot the messenger its only an idea) try a bottle of Omneo Comfort ( a very soft baby milk designed to help those who are not necessarily doing well using other methods). I am not medically trained but these things worked for me when mine was screaming constantly after feeding.

Alternatively...last resort.... Cranial Osteopathy? (expensive and if she's hungry it won't work..but if it is something else then this can sometimes work).

Mine are now 10 and 12 so I survived the experience however thought I'd offer solutions seeing as I had a hellish time with mine!

xx

[plannedshock]

Right, another night lets see how this goes she finally went off at 3am my dd1 got up at 6am I've spent today looking like an old ball sack.
I'm armed with a dummy, infacol, soft lighting and a baby sized mallet if all else fails!
I remember doing this first time round, I definitely had my rose tinted/vodka blurred glasses on when agreeing to have a 2nd!

[madbunnygirl]

We had exactly this with our DD who's now 11 weeks - a dummy made such a difference. Please don't feel bad for using one. If it helps our dd won't take them now but doesn't need them to be honest - as she got better with her feeding she settled much easier too.

Has she been checked for tongue tie?

Good luck xx