Extreme cluster feeding

[Emarosa]

I’m a first time mum to a 7 day old. He’s been just wonderful but tonight he’s been like a different baby. He’s been cluster feeding constantly since 8:30pm. It’s now almost 6 and DH and I have had zero sleep. My nipples feel so sore and my breasts empty. He screams when we try to put him down and I’m terrified of falling asleep with him on me.

What can I do??! I’ve read about cluster feeding for 3/4hrs but this seems so extreme.

My youngest was like this. I went to breastfeeding classes with my first and they said they're upping your supply in preparation for a growth spurt, same when they're fussing but not feeding.

Cosleeping made it a lot easier for us, we just had ours in the middle of our double at the head of the bed and we slept slightly further down to ensure the quilt wasn't a risk. I know it's not for every parent or baby but not having to get up or try and put them back down really helped.

Good luck, it gets easier, but the. It's get harder again, then easier. It isn't linear (hello 4 month sleep regression)

@Emarosa Just want to add congratulations on the birth of your baby and you’re doing a fab job. 😊🌈🥂💖

Fairly normal but please please find your local breastfeeding support group and go to it this week. Specialist face to face support is so important, you may just need a tweak to latch to make sure he's feeding efficiently. Midwives are wonderful but overstretched and their visits are to check so many aspects of yours and baby's health and if they turn up when baby has just fed, you're a bit stuck!