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Infant feeding

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

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Original poster

Baby not sleeping - I think due to hunger

42 replies

thefruitwhisperer · 27/12/2010 20:59

My one month old just will not sleep for any longer than 5 mins between the hours of 6pm through to 3am. He cries constantly if he is not on the boob at this time, and I am afraid to feed through because I wont have enough for his next feed (we've been giving him a bottle at 3am just so my boobs can recover for him at 6am when he feeds again)

Should I go all the way through till the 6am feed - as I think he would go that long? Is this a normal amount of cluster feeding or is he extra hungry? Im really worried that hes not sleeping because of hunger and I just cant catch up with him.

His poo's (very yellow and wet) are every two days but we get about 4-6 wee's a day.

OP posts:

organiccarrotcake · 27/12/2010 22:25

I would try to relax and go with it. "Giving your breasts a rest" actually is counterproductive because when you're filling up this is telling your body to make less milk as it's not being drawn off!

Don't worry about being a bit on the big side for co-sleeping. The first thing to get the hang of is lying down to sleep during the day when there's less pressure to sleep and you're not so tired (maybe!). Once you get the hang of it you can just go to sleep while he's feeding. Don't worry about whether he's getting enough sleep. He'll sleep when he needs to. But as has been mentioned getting him out in the daytime daylight will help him to learn day from night.

It sounds like it's all going just fine and this is all normal - if hard. It will pass, and sooner than you think.

peppapighastakenovermylife · 27/12/2010 22:26

To be honest...sometimes expressing and feeding a bottle can be more hassle than it is worth in the early days. Give it a few more days and see what happens. He sounds hydrated and normal (although obviously cant tell over internet)and this will likely pass.

Have you spoken to HV or seen a BFC or BF support group in real life? One of the best things your DP can do is look after you so you get as much rest as possible

peppapighastakenovermylife · 27/12/2010 22:30

I think perhaps he needs to sleep ... and then look after you / house etc when he has had that sleep. Up to you but not sure there is point you both being up ... aslong as he then looks after you or takes baby at 6am or somthing.

Growth spurts do feel like they will feed forever and ever. Some of it will be for comfort but that is good too ... he is learning his needs will be met. Was only inside you 4 weeks ago with a constant supply of food

It really will ease and pass.

CommanderDrool · 27/12/2010 22:34

Yes it will pass.

Original poster

thefruitwhisperer · 28/12/2010 03:09

Hes still up now... and once again wont sleep anywhere except on the breastfeeding pillow.

A 12 hour cluster feed isnt normal almost every day, surely. And I caved at 1am and he took 60ml of formula and then still carried on eating.

OP posts:

peppapighastakenovermylife · 28/12/2010 08:51

What happens if you delatch him wen he looks sleepy - does he cry and root again?

I certainly had days when they fed all day and wouldn't be put down but they were in the day, then they did that 3 hour stretches at night. He seems to have day and night mixed up.

Have you tried your partner keeing him downstairs so he cannot smell you for a bit - what happens? Or if you had an early night and your partner took him out inthe car would he settle then?

You could try feeding him as often as possible in the day - keep offering to him and he may take more in the day and less at night

How long has this been going on for?

AngelsfromtherealmsofgloryDog · 28/12/2010 13:51

Feeding for such a long time is common during growth spurts. I know someone whose DS's 6 week spurt meant he fed for 72 hours without stopping. (That's very unusual, I hasten to add, but it's within the range of 'normal' behaviour AFAIK - she fed him till at least 18 months or more without any real problems.)

AngelsfromtherealmsofgloryDog · 28/12/2010 13:56

If you can, I'd also get your DP to sleep when he can so he can look after you the rest of the time - unless you feel you really need someone there to keep your spirits up.

You say he 'normally' cluster feeds for 3 or 4 hours, which does make this sound like growth spurt type behaviour rather than another problem. Growth spurt behaviour will happen every day till the spurt is over.

I would guess that he's needing the comfort as well as the milk, which is why he still wanted more after taking the formula.

It will pass, honest.

Original poster

thefruitwhisperer · 28/12/2010 16:07

Im starting to think its comfort too, as he wouldnt go down to sleep unless I was holding him or he was on the breast feeding pillow.

I feel a bit better about it today, I mean, he cant not sleep forever, can he! It has to pass!

Oh and DP and I tag teamed last night too.

OP posts:

runnermum2 · 28/12/2010 16:25

I used to 'save' a breast in the early days too - mistakenly thinking it would ensure enough milk for the next feed. It was only when I read somewhere on here about breasts constantly producing milk that I allowed DD to have as much milk as required - from both breasts if nec. And hey presto - milk supply suddenly increased and life felt a lot better! . She is 8 weeks now and it is only in the last week or so that I've started to feel more confident. - so hang on in there

peppapighastakenovermylife · 28/12/2010 18:00

He will sleep one day - I have plans to kick my DC's out of bed nice and early when they are teenages

Are you able to feed him lying down in bed? Then you can just delatch, or he may break away himself - he is then already lying down so doesnt have to move.

Woodlands · 28/12/2010 22:54

It sounds so familiar, being pinned to the sofa for hours and hours on end. It feels a bit claustrophobic, doesn't it? I promise it does pass, and now at 5 months my DS happily goes 3-4 hours between feeds. But those endless cluster feeding evenings/nights between about 2 and 8 weeks were such hard work. You're doing brilliantly, hang on in there.

AngelsfromtherealmsofgloryDog · 28/12/2010 22:59

:) Woodlands - I remember some of your posts from a way back. Glad things are better for you now.

Woodlands · 28/12/2010 23:34

Yes, I'm a very happy breastfeeder now! Just embarking on BLW at the moment - the next exciting stage...

Original poster

thefruitwhisperer · 28/12/2010 23:36

Sorry, more questions...

So at a month old, and with a formula bottlr most nights (just one), its still not too late to move back to just breast is it?

OP posts:

AngelsfromtherealmsofgloryDog · 29/12/2010 08:38

OP, of course not. Many people manage it much, much, much later - and when they've been using many more than just one bottle. :)

Woodlands, BLW is so much fun - DS loved it. DS is 12 months now and I don't think of it as 'weaning' any more - just 'eating'. That's quite different to my spoon feeding friends as far as I can tell.

peppapighastakenovermylife · 29/12/2010 08:41

No not at all - especially with just one bottle. Might take a few days for your supply to seem to catch up but should be fine. How was last night.

BLW is fab

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