Suckling / BF

[AnnaCam]

Can anyone help!!

I have been BF my DS since he was born 3 weeks ago. i am producing enough milk and not in pain...but i can be bf up to 3 hours at a time..which means i get no sleep at night!

Sometimes, DS gets into a total frenzy, like he can't get enough milk, but then suddenly drops off to sleep..only to wake about 2 minutes later. It makes nights terrible coz just as i think he's gone to sleep..he wakes again.

Also, he just suckles...i've been trying to wake him up, or take him off the breast before he falls asleep, but then we won't go down in the cot. in the end i give in and let him fall asleep on me, then keep my fingers crossed he stays asleep..

can anyone recommend how i can get him to stop suckling and fall asleep off the breast?

Thanks!

This isn't that unusual. I would co-sleep and let hum suck as much as he likes. Sometimes it will be for comfort, but that also helps supply and besides, there's nothing wrong with comforting a tiny baby. It will settle down, and he will learn to take his feed much quicker, and interact with you in a more social way once he is able.

Make sure you are still napping in the day, take him to bed to feed in the afternoon and nap with him. If you get really knackered, get your OH to take him (he doesn't smell like food) for a walk around the house (they like going up and down stairs) or rock him, or potter about with him in a sling, until he settles.

My daughter was like this as well, I found that feeding her lying down calmed her and got her off into a nice deep sleep but also i know that the advice is not to use a dummy but we did use one from about 2 weeks onwards as i was like a zombie after 2 weeks of waking every hour and getting up at 6 with the older children!

Forgot to add that my 11 week old still doesn't really go to sleep on her own in her cot, she falls asleep feeding but now she's a bit older she will stay asleep when i transfer her over.

It's normal for a tiny babay to want to be held, especially when tired. You are all they have ever known and they are very vulnerable (and will be for some time)

I really recommend co-sleeping (perhaps someone can post a link to the safe co-sleeping guidelines?). Also nap when you can and only do the bare minimum of anything non-baby. It's early days and your lo needs you more than housework does! Guests should bring a meal and look after themselves!

Long feeds are par for the course when bf a newborn. And at other points there can be growth spurts where the baby will feed lots and lots (almost non stop, or so it feels) for a day or so. THis is them telling your supply to get ready and make more milk as they are growing and will need it. But they do get quicker and go longer, and you get to spend all that time snuggling them and watching dvds rather than scrubing bottles/watching kettles etc.

Oh, and congratulations!

SOrry, one more thing, youu caan't spoil them at this age so don't worry about that wrt falling asleep on you.

It's worth knowing that it takes 20mins for a baby to reach deep sleep, so its best to put them down after 15-20 mins

Hi all....

Thanks for the advice...it's good to know that all this is normal! I have tried a bit of co-sleeping...mainly in the morning as he gets very noisy from about 4am onwards and seems to be quieter with me...it's ok but i'm not sleeping that well. I'm also practising breast feeding lying down in the afternoon!

My OH is doing the post 6am shift to allow me some sleep, which is lovely as i get a good hour or so quiet time.

I think there is so much pressure from family saying have you established a routine yet? Do you think you need to feed with formula to top up? ..you start feeling like your not doing well...when infact BF is the best start to life!...and my DS doesn't cry very much, so i reckon he's happy!

Thanks for the support ...