Order (routine) in the day for breastfed 8wk old?

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Hi, I hope someone can advise or help. My baby is 8wks and exclusively breastfed. As time goes on I don't think either of us is fully happy with how things are going. She only ever catnaps, co sleeps and nurses off and on all night and spends most of the time she's not nursing crying and crying. We've seen a cranial osteopath and she's much better and now I feel the problem is that she's not getting proper sleep or a nice big satisfying feed. On days when we're out and about and she's kept asleep by the car or sling she seems really happy when she wakes and she feeds well so I think I'm on the right track. I can't sling her for hours as I'd like to due to a disability otherwise I'd use that for naps at home. I read The Baby Whisperer but it looks a bit too prescriptive. My other babies were bottlefed and I found getting into a routine really easy but this time I don't want tostop her from 'snacking' if that is normal breastfeeding behaviour.
I feel awful for saying it, but I'm on the verge of bottle feeding just to get some time without her 'on' me. I've
notanahed to express more than 1.5oz.
I don't want a structured routine where my needs come first but I'm not even getting an hour a day to myself and I'm filthy and so is my house ! I need a bath and to hoover!
Sorry for the rMbling, only three hours sleep last night.
Can anyone help??
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That should say 'not managed to express' and 'rambling'

Does it feel like she never takes a 'good' feed? Perhaps trying to keep her awake if she is falling asleep too quickly when feeding? As you say, a rigid routine during the day is a bit much, but you need some time to yourself.

It really varies. She'll latch on and chomp for 45mns or she'll be two minutes just to calm down. She's started screaming if I offer the 'wrong' side. Sometimes she wants the same side three times in a row, sometimes she'll 'demand' I swap.

It sounds as though she isn't actually 'latching on and chomping' properly. It shouldn't take 45 minutes to feed, really. Is she actually swallowing or just sucking? Can you see that 'glug glug' motion of the throat? Is she gaining weight?

I knew a mother when my own son was very small and he spent ages and ages on the breast, but not latching on properly. His mother was shattered, he was really grumpy, not gaining weight and they progressed much better when they moved to bottles. BF doesn't suit everyone.

I don't know if this will be any use to you but I put my baby in her bouncy chair right up at the side of the bath, and if she cries I reach out and bounce her a bit. Not the most relaxing bath but you can get a good wash and some days she naps and I can read a bit.
Does your baby have a dummy? I know they are unpopular and was adamant I wouldn't use them, but if you have a "sucky" baby they are fab.
We don't have a routine so can't suggest anything there, but I have found that baby (10wks) will quite often go back to sleep for a couple of hours after her breakfast, just not if I put her back in the cot. She likes to sleep in the middle of the living room floor

Traffic- perhaps try posting this in breast and bottle feeding? There are some really experienced and qualified people on here that may be able to offer some ideas.

She's feeding fine, gaining a ton of weight and plenty of nappies. The length of feed is more to do with her enjoying the snuggles and snacking and dozing.

8wks is still v young, many babies do not have much of a routine. Don't give up on bf it will get easier, your baby will feed less often & become more interested in other things.
It is hard work initially & I can relate totally to the feeling of wanting some time without a baby on you. My first dd was just as you describe but things got easier at about 13 weeks.
If you think you she is sleeping at the breast you could try gently taking her off (break the seal with your little finger in the corner of her mouth).
It is frustrating but remember the first weeks of bf are about establishing supply so she is feeding lots to ensure there is lots of milk for the future.
Hang on in there if you can as it will bet better, honestly. Sounds like you are doing an amazing job.!

Hi, I have a 9wk old daughter and she was pretty much the same, wanting to be on the boob all the time and only having little nap's. I have worked uot that she likes to feed in 2 parts (main and pudding!!!)Im a single parent so Its just me hear so It was really important for me to break the habbit as soon as I could!
Firstly I gave in and have given her a dummy which sometimes workes - she realises that she is not actually hungry she just wants the comfort of sucking, it means when she does feed she is gettin really full up and then sleeps for at least 1hr sometimes more! Its not much but at least you get a chance to get washed and dressed! Also my health visitor gave me a tip which has actually worked - teach her to entertain herself! it sounds silly but is working slowley but surely. . . . I have a jungle gym with misic, lights etc and after every nappy change give baby a little cuddle to comfort her but then put her on the mat and leave - start with just 5mins and work up. Im up to about 15-20mins now where she will "play" without me but if i sit with her she will stay much longer. It just means you can do things like hoover and also helps to tire her out! (boots have loads of play mats etc in the sale at the moment!)
Hope you find something that works! Dont feel bad about thinking about bottle feeding, I have felt like that hundreds of times - keep going if you can but the ocasional formula bottle wont hurt if you need a break! Good luck.

Hi, DD2 is 9 weeks and is just starting to be happy to be put down for a little while during the day. What you're describing is totally normal but very exhausting, especially with other DC to look after.

Things which help me are

1. A vibrating bouncy chair - the vibrating motion seems to keep her settled a lot longer than she would be in just a normal bouncy chair. Sticking it in front of the washing machine seems to help too - my nappies got about 4 extra rinses the other day as I kept switching it back on to keep her asleep!

1. A dummy - if she's struggling to settle off to sleep a dummy really helps her, also popping it back if she looks like she's stirring too soon can help her to stay settled.

1. Getting out every morning. Not only does it help to keen us all sane, but she sleeps really well in the sling when we're out.

Hope you find some ways to make things easier for yourself soon. Don't forget all the extra work that goes along with bottle feeding (sterilising, making up bottles etc) so life won't neccessarily be easier if you're bottle feeding. Breast feeding honestly does get much easier if you can make it through the difficult early weeks. Well done for getting this far, sounds like you're doing a great job. Hang in there and things will get easier.