to want to cry re how much my baby is feeding?

[CarmelitasMango]

Baby is over 2 weeks old. Midwife has told me he should be ideally feeding 8 times a day. He's not. He feeds every hour ish. Sometimes feeds twice in an hour. At least 20 times a day for short bursts. Falls asleep on my boob.

I've been in hospital and not feeling well, he's EBF and I want it to stay that way, I'm trying so hard but my nipples are killing me and I'm so tired. Is it always this hard? Does it get easier?

I feel like nobody tells you how hard breastfeeding is :(

Yeah I Had This experience as well and honestly I can't remember when it stopped. I think things got a bit better around 6 weeks and then better again at 12. It can be absolutely awful and you have my sympathy. Somehow I made it through and you will too. That being said looking back I don't know if I'd persevere the same way again. You have options. Try to make sure you are keeping yourself okay. It truly is relentless.

Unfortunately sounds normal, but it does get better!

My ds was born between the 25th and 50th centile for weight. By 3 months old he was on the 99th.

Every last —bloody— drop of that was from me and my breasts.

It was hard. Really hard. But it did get easier. He got into a better routine. And I made it through.

Go to bed with your baby. It is the weekend so get your husband / partner to deal with food for you. And changing nappies and bathing and dressing the baby. If environmental health have not condemned your house then it is clean enough.

You feed the baby. Other than that you do fuck all. You rest, watch the telly and play on your phone. Right now - just feed the baby.

Right no

You are at the worst part of it at the moment- it does get much easier. It happens gradually though.

I think you need to accept that feeding will take up your time. I used to get a few jobs done, like emptying the dishwasher while my baby had a nap and then just accepted I had to sit down a lot to feed. I browsed the internet a lot while feeding or watched TV.

It's called cluster feeding and it's a bitch but they do grow out if it. There's a pattern of weeks they tend to do it for, up to about 12 weeks. It coincides with growth spurts and mental leaps. It can be very tough. If you want to keep going with breast feeding set yourself up a little "nest" - Good supportive pillows, snacks, water, remote control, books etc to keep you going. Good luck!

It’s normal. PLEASE stick with it. I was you this time last year - in a few weeks it’ll be a breeze and no stralizing bottles, mixing formula or having to remember to take all that out with you. Also breastfeeding has helped me so many times when my baby wouldn’t stop crying. Watch some good boxsets and enjoy the cuddles!! It gets so much easier I promise

Baby was on the 1st percentile for weight (yep, tiny!). Maybe this is contributing too? Gosh it's just so hard. Rewarding but exhausting.

It's worsebyou for you right now as you are unwell. Eat and drink well, lots of rest and make sure baby feedsnfor a decent length of time on both boobs.

It really does get better, in no time its second nature to you both. The early weeks of getting are the most restful and supported and the most challenging getting your supply established.

Also look into getting a baby sling. I use to feed mine in it as a newborn and then get on with things. Multi tasking 👍🏼🙌🏼

I’m Sorry your in so much discomfort - but yes, it’s quite normal for some babies, my daughter was like this. Some babies are voracious feeders.

I agree with above, you have options, just saying. I completely 100 percent support ebf and did it for all 4 of mine, however do not make yourself miserable, fed is best.
Congratulations btw, it is truly an exhausting time and it is a fact that bf does feel sore in the early weeks, I used
Lansinoh HPA Lanolin Nipple Cream
and found it really worked plus cold cabbages leaves from the fridge. Congratulations.

it's the hardest thing i ever did. It gets easier.

Totally agree with you no one prepares you for just how hard and time consuming breastfeeding is! I'm almost 7 weeks in and it is getting easier as he can now go 2 hours without a feed but he still has times of cluster feeding. I started using nipple shields a week in due to my nipple bleeding and being very painful. They totally saved my breastfeeding journey. You just have to be careful that baby is gaining while using them if you do give them a try. It will get easier just get comfy, find something to watch and keep eating and drinking. You've got this!!

I read about all the benefits of breast feeding and whilst I wholly support mothers who choose to feed their babies through expression and/or formula feeding, it's important to me for my boy to remain ebf (I have lots of health problems so anything I can do to reduce further health problems for me and my DS is worth some pain :)

@an1997 never heard of nipple shields! Going to have a google...

Drink water. A pint an hour. All day. Lots of protein. Yes, babies are a new adventure. It took me 7 weeks to sort out the bf, including some formula but we got there. But it took every one of those 7 weeks to learn the business. You will do fine and, on mn, someone is always awake to keep you company.

I promise you it will all get easier....just do one day at a time.
Have you got good support?

It is bloody hard and newborns do feed constantly, but has he been checked for tongue tie? My DS has it and it meant he was struggling to get a full feed so would be constantly ‘snacking’. After he got his snipped (V quick and simple) his feeds spread out much more.
But otherwise, get comfy with lots of snacks, a big bottle of water and some good box sets!

Yes it’s normal. I couldn’t do it. 6 weeks in and we mix feed DD. As a result I have a crap supply and I can barely express 30ml a go and DD always needs a bottle top up.

Do try and carry on, it will get better and be worth it.

They're fab! I hadn't heard of them either, they just protect your nipples so they don't hurt it helps baby latch on. I use the Medela ones and really like them. X

My DD is 7 weeks old, She is my first and i am EBF, OP i know exactly where you are coming from, since about week 5 ahe has gradually started sleeping longer, infact last night she slept from 10pm-5am, which is great at this stage....
I know it is shit, but trust me.... it is a phase and it will get better.. hang in there!!

What’s worked/working for us at the minute is Playing White noise on an app on the phone. Give it a try as it stretched the initial 1-2 hour feeds out to 3 hours in the early weeks.

Oh yes nipple shields are fantastic. Boots sell medala ones which I use.

Can I say, for a baby born at 1%, look up bf ing preemies. You might find some correlation that will support you.

Lansinoh cream!!!!!! Cluster feeding sucks (ha! Literally!) but it DOES get better eventually and eventhough the thought of getting to 12 weeks feels like a lifetime away it is so worth it eventually. It makes life so much easier.

By the by, have you had your baby checked for a tongue tie? Constant feeding can be a sign of poor milk transfer

Latch ok??

Thanks @TheSandgroper - he was 38 weeks and 5lb2oz. My little peanut!

Midwives have confirmed latch is perfect and definitely not tongue tied thankfully :)