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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

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Original poster

bfing 6 week old, was going so well but now going wrong....

29 replies

virgo1979 · 24/07/2010 22:36

DS is feeding constantly in the evenings and it is really wearing me out..have used all my expressed milk up and had AF this week so seem to be producing less milk too....have given in this evening, pathetic DH is out again and to get DS to settle and give me a rest i gave him a carton of prepared formula, he drank the lot and was out like a light.....does this mean my milk isnt enough for him to fill his tummy? he was tired and before i gave the formula he would fall asleep on the breast then wake as soon as i put him down, no stroking etc would calm him. with the formula he hasnt stirred....

in the day he is fine, alert and awake after feeds, feeds tils he stops himself, so what is wrong in the evenings? is it just cluster feeding and if so, am i not producing enough? in tears now as had stressful day and annoyed that had to resort to formula...

OP posts:

Habbibu · 24/07/2010 22:40

Cluster feeding utterly normal, if very tiring, and he's probably having a growth spurt. The increased frequent feeds are designed to increase your milk supply, so if you want to keep breastfeeding the best thing to do is let him feed as often as he wants to. Get DH to feed you, settle down somewhere comfortable and let ds feed. It's a pain, and I do sympathise - this frenzy will pass, and your supply will increase to match his needs.

LittleNutTree · 24/07/2010 22:41

Aww, I know exactly how you feel. I was on the verge of giving up bf/chucking myself off a bridge when DD was this age. I was told that babies have a growth spurt around this time which makes them feed endlessly. It's really hard to go through.We also gave DD a dummy around this time too which also seemed to help, although I'm not sure how connected that was.

It will pass, hang in there, you're doing a fab job!!

Sidge · 24/07/2010 22:42

It probably is cluster feeding, it's unlikely that you haven't got enough milk and the more you feed him the more your supply will boost to keep up! Can I ask why you're expressing? Remember that him feeding directly will stimulate your supply better than a pump, so don't be afraid to just feed, feed and feed.

I imagine he scoffed the formula and flaked out because it's so much easier for him to drink from a bottle, and the formula is 'heavier' so has filled him up.

Go to bed, get some rest whilst he's sleeping and start afresh tomorrow. Hopefully one of the bfing experts will come along soon and give you some more advice!

moajab · 24/07/2010 22:44

Mt first baby was a constant feeder and it was so draining. Many times I was tempted by formula (and probably would have succumbed if I'd had any in the house) At about 6 weeks we tried a dummy and it was like having a different baby. He slept in his pram when we were out, instead of lying awake crying until I stopped to find somewhere to feed him again and at nighttime when he fell asleep at the breast I would pop the dummy in his mouth as I took him off and he would stay asleep. I had always hated the idea of a dummy, but that totally changed my mind and I'm sure made the difference to whether I was going to be able to breastfeed or not. We got rid of the dummy when he was about 15 months old and he never missed it. So it might be worth a try, especially if your baby is sucking for comfort as much as hunger. Good luck!

pinata · 24/07/2010 22:47

6 weeks is very early - DS (now 10 weeks) cluster fed for hours until about 3 weeks ago. It would sometimes take 2 hours or more to get him to go down

he now takes nearer 30 mins to go off. It does get easier

Can you find anything to occupy yourself while feeding? I found reading books on my ipod touch made the time go much quicker. In fact, I got so in the habit that now I would be happy for DS to go on a bit longer

Original poster

virgo1979 · 24/07/2010 22:48

was just expressing in the mornings when felt really full, DS would normally wake about an hour later then i would feed him from breast. supply was really good and got that 'full feeling' several times a day...not any more

OP posts:

Sidge · 24/07/2010 22:53

That full feeling does go though, as you adjust to make what you need rather than to excess. It doesn't mean you won't have enough so don't worry

LittleNutTree · 24/07/2010 22:54

I wouldn't worry about not feeling 'full'. Your body learns what the baby needs so doesn't necessarily over-produce and give you that feeling, although if he cluster feeds, it might get more noticeable again. My friend had her second DC 7wks ago, and told me today that she's never felt engorged since he was born, whereas with her DD she felt that way a lot.

LittleNutTree · 24/07/2010 22:54

Sorry, x-posted with Sidge there but at least we're saying the same thing!

HaveToWearHeels · 24/07/2010 22:56

sounds like a growth spurt to me. My DD is now 10 months and I remember this stage well, I nearly gave up but as soon as I accepted that is what was happeneing it made it easier and less stressful. DD was feeding from 7pm to 11pm and I was exhausted. The stage soon passes and you will be glad you stuck with it. You are doing a fantastic job and giving your little one the best start in life. BF gets so much easier so if you can stick with it, just take one feed at a time.

Raejj · 24/07/2010 22:58

IMO you have to sometimes not be so hard on yourself and while you are probably making enough milk, chances are your little one has hit a growth spurt and a bottle of formula really really isn't such a bad thing if it's the difference between sleeping baby happy mother and shredded nipples suckling all night long baby. Hope you're ok

Sidge · 24/07/2010 22:58

Great minds LittleNutTree

FessaEst · 24/07/2010 23:05

DD cluster fed until about 9 weeks-it was the hardest time of my life, but so worth sticking with it if you can. As pp's have said, it is just helping to get your supply established. Falling asleep after formula does not indicate that your milk wasn't "right" or enough. Formula sits in their tummy longer.

The not feeling so full thing is just your boobs settling down. I haven't had that since the first few weeks but DD is 8 months and still largely bfed (never had any formula) so it is no indication of your milk supplies.

Once you get through this stage, if you can stick with it, it gets easier and then you have all the benefits of not having to sterilise bottles etc. Try and get as much support as you can, esp in the evenings - you are doing brilliantly. This too will pass!

KickArseQueen · 24/07/2010 23:08

Babies are supposed to feed endlessly in the evenings, If you have been feeding up until now then you will have enough milk, you've hit a growth spurt and the baby is taking the excess that was making you feel full, now your baby is doing what is locally referred to as "dragging in more milk". You Rock, you are doing great and your body is supplying what your baby needs. You don't need formula, start fresh in the morning and take each feed at a time, expect to cluster feed in the evenings and make sure you have the remote, drinks and snacks set up in advance. All is good. You are doing fab

teaandcakeplease · 24/07/2010 23:17

Lots of babies at this age fall asleep on the breast and wake as you lie them down again by the way. Co-sleeping is an idea if it helps? Swaddling can be a big help too, if you haven't tried it already.

Great advice on here already, just wanted to add my voice too, that you are producing enough and this is completely normal

You're doing great, believe in yourself. Tomorrrow is a new day and will be better than today x

Original poster

virgo1979 · 24/07/2010 23:42

thank all. ego boost helps lots. i love bfing ds but feel helpless in the evenings. but agree, tomorrow is a new day x

OP posts:

MumNWLondon · 24/07/2010 23:50

Just wanted to add I had this last week, just let him feed, it will boost your supply, whereas using expressed milk or formula will not... anyway its now passed, now feeling full at feed times again, and fuller than before in mornings. Just get some DvDs and sit down and relax while you feed.

Morloth · 25/07/2010 10:09

Evening cluster feeds can be exhausting, my advice is to practice lying down feeding so you can catch some sleep as well.

nickytwotimes · 25/07/2010 10:21

HI VIrgo
I own an 8 wk old and have found it easier if I just accept that evenings are a write-off and that my 'job' for the moment is to feed him. Anything else I can do is a bonus! Ds has been ill with severe reflux, so I actually enjoy sitting feeding him when he is comfortable and hungry in a strange way.
However, that does assume that you/I CAN do this. I have an older ds, but dh sees to bedtime, dinner, dishes, etc, etc. Not everone has the chance to spend the evening on the sofa! ANd that you are happy to do it too.
You will make enough. Mother Nature does it beautifully!
If you want to keep up the bfing, could anyone alse keep you company in the evenings? Bring you drinks, hold him while you get a bath, etc? You need and deserve it! Fwiw, I think all bfing Mums should be worshiped on a lily-pad.
You are doing a wonderful job. It is bloody hard going. DO whatever you need to do to get through.

Original poster

virgo1979 · 25/07/2010 18:58

hi guys, settling down again for tonights marathon feeding session....dh has just gone to get kfc.....and have loads of stuff sky-plussed.....and i am going to ignore the state the house is in til tomorrow....

i have been co-sleeping and feeding him lying down too so that gives me some rest.... swaddling no good as he kicks off his sheets, and just wriggles out of the swaddle...

thanks for posts above, glad its 'normal', and it will pass, eventually.... he is being weighed on thursday so will be interesting to see how much he has gained, will make it all worth it too...

OP posts:

Raejj · 25/07/2010 19:28

Hi Virgo. Pleased you seem a bit happier. I wanted to mention that although i'm mixed feeding this time round with my first I exclusively bf my first for nearly 5 months and every single week I was also convinced I wasn't making enough milk cos baby cried a lot, my breasts stopped feeling so full.... And every single week she put on weight perfectly following her percentile, meaning I was making just the right amount despite my fears. Keep going with the b/f it IS worth it but I just wanted you not to be hard on yourself if you did give her the occasional bottle that's all!

LittleNutTree · 25/07/2010 21:15

I just logged on to ask you how you were getting on but you've beat me to it! Raejj is right, you seem a lot more positive today, I'm really glad to hear that.

Just wanted to add that you should make the most of the sofa time you are getting now, this time next year will be a completely different story with a toddler to run around after!

KickArseQueen · 25/07/2010 23:40

Glad you are settling in to his routine Virgo You really are doing great you know ( don't forget cake, its a breastfeeding staple... )

Original poster

virgo1979 · 30/07/2010 12:15

just to update - ds was weighed yesterday, two weeks ago he was 9lb 8oz, he is now 10lb 15oz, and has grown 7cm since birth, he is 7 weeks this weekend.... [very proud emoticon}.... thanks to all for your support (and answering my various daft questions on this site], and if i can do it, anyone can!!

OP posts:

teaandcakeplease · 30/07/2010 20:42

Oh that's fantastic news!

Well done.

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