Baby feeds almost constantly!

[Worththewait2019]

My 5 week old baby is constantly attached to my breast!
In the day he just wants to feed then he will fall asleep feeding but if I try put him down he screams until I feed him again, he's like this in the night too.
He doesn't have tongue tie but I think he's using feeding for comfort rather than hunger most of the time.

What can I do? Should I try a dummy? Although I hate the look of them 😕

Reflux? I'm bottle feeding and after a feed I couldnt lie her on her back crying etc etc an trying to suck. We're still fiddling about with things to keep all sweet. It's a comfort sucking thing sometimes for babies so I ended up giving her a dummy an that worked well

It does calm down a bit when baby is about 6 weeks. Prop the ends of the cot or basket up to help relux. Also make sure you wind really really well

Also meant to ask if he was getting a full feed each time he fed? Weight gain? And nappies etc

I'd try all of the above.
DS1 was like this, and it turned out he wasn't getting enough milk for whatever reason. My mum noticed when he was about 2 months that he was burping up spittle rather than milk, so I supplemented him with formula.
This helped in my case, but I'd explore other avenues first.
My milk supply suddenly kicked in big time about a month later, so I was able to express and mix feed him after that.

I second that it calms down at 6 weeks.

Personally, I'd try a dummy.

This is normal.

5/6 weeks is a growth spurt.

They feed at night to boost your supply. It calms down after a few more weeks, when they space their feeds a bit more.

Imagine how much food you’d need to double in size in a year!

@Sugarbum

This is what happened with ours, we spent four days with people insisting it was gas/reflux, massaging him, giving him supplements etc. Then I got a bit stroppy and said he's hungry and topped him up with formula.

We got our happy peaceful baby back straight away.

Of course we do now have a separate problem that despite breast feeding, expressing after feeding until 2 mins after dry up, not going for more than three hours without feeding/expressing the milk production isn't increasing at the rate his feeding is.

Sounds totally normal to me. Get some good box sets, old favourite books, junky magazines, etc, and settle down on the sofa and enjoy the closeness. The constant feeding is only when they are super tiny. Don't make other demands of yourself - now is not the time to be worrying about keeping the house tidy or making amazing meals.

I think part of the reason so many women in this country think breastfeeding "isn't working" is because they expect that you would just be feeding for 10-15 min every three hours. That's not how it works, especially not at the beginning.

Completely normal. It’s also ok for breastfeeding to be comforting for them, it’s not a bad thing. I hope you have someone else around some of the time who can give you a break?

He's gaining weight and has plenty of wet & dirty nappies.
I'll give it another couple of weeks then see where we are in terms of a dummy. I'd like to avoid if at all possible but also like to keep my sanity!

Of course we do now have a separate problem that despite breast feeding, expressing after feeding until 2 mins after dry up, not going for more than three hours without feeding/expressing the milk production isn't increasing at the rate his feeding is.

The increased feeding is placing an order for tomorrow though. It’s not an instant increase in output.

@Boobiliboobiliboo

We got that bit about it not being instant, the problem is that over the last 5 days production while increasing isn't increasing enough.

I used a dummy with my extra sucky first DC. Honestly it was a godsend. If she was hungry she spat it out, if she was tired she went to sleep, and I could too!

Is this a new thing or has he been like this from birth?
If the former, it’s most likely a phase. Around 6 weeks is prime growth spurt territory so he’s putting his order in.

If the latter. Who checked for TT? I would see someone again.

Finally read up on fourth trimester. This might help you see it’s totally normal for baby’s to be only happy in your arms / close by for the first few months.
It’s modern society coupled with Victorian views that make us feel we should be putting baby down to avoid that rod everyone says we’ll be making for own back
sarahockwell-smith.com/2012/11/04/the-fourth-trimester-aka-why-your-newborn-baby-is-only-happy-in-your-arms/

Mine never accepted a dummy. He was this age when the hot weather started last summer so he was a thirsty baby!

DS2 was the same, agree that you should get some good box sets, water, snacks and put your feet up. He's only 3 now but I already miss those days.