Breastfeeding every hour - help!

[Boompi]

My dd is 4 weeks old and until the last 3 days has been quite an easy baby, feeding every 2.5- 3 hours for 10 -15 min. Now she doesnt go for more than an hour and a half before wanting to feed again. Ive tried just giving her a finger to suck, just cuddling her, leaving her to cry (I cant take more than 5 min), distracting her etc to no avail. Late last night my dh even took her downstairs for 30 min to try and comfort her awat from me but she just cried and cried until she was on the breast again. And she is only feeding for about 7 min before coming off the breast awake but happier. I tried giving her a bottle today as I was worried I wasnt producing enough milk(also expressed so my supply wont be affected - got about 2 oz in half an hour)but she did the same thing ie drank one oz then not interested till an hour later then cried. She isnt falling asleep so this is not the problem.
This has been going on for 3 days now round the clock - i am shattered. She has had growth spurts before but not this long. How can I encourage her to not snack all day?

Maybe she's going down with a cold or virus and isn't feeling too great?

Maybe you've eaten something different recently that's gone through to the milk?

Tbh, it could be anything, all I can really offer is sympathy and let you know that I've been in the same position. It will get better I promise you, doesn't really help you much now though!

Hopefully someone will come along with some better suggestions.

yeah she could have a sore throat or something - tbh my dd2 fed this often at that age and i just went with it - i know its really tiring but sometimes just going with it is easier than trying everything else under the sun, and it will probably settle down soonish - hope it does x

Some babies take a while to 'wake up' after they are born - my ds suddenly changed at about 3wks, and dd also went through a personality change at 2 (?) weeks old (you think at the time that you will remember every detail for ever, but not so! ). It can be quite a shock, especially if they've already settled into a pattern or routine of sorts, but they do settle down again.

I think htat at this age you still do not really need to worry about how often they feed. As long as they feed and gain and seem otherwise fine. If she's still contented between feeds, weeing and pooing (you can tell from the nappies) and gaining weight (however slowly) then you know she's getting enough and you don't need to knock yourself and give her bottles.

Give it a few more days. She may be a little poorly, or be taking a lot of comfot from you for another reason. She may be having a growth spurt (IME these generally last at least 3 days). Go with the flow for another few days.

Hang in there boompi. My dd has been feeding CONSTANTLY at night for several days. She does not go more than10 mins between feeds. So I know what you mean by SHATTERED.

They just seem to go through these phases.

Remember that expressing is not as effective as putting baby to the breast, so if it is a growth spurt it is best to let her drink as it will increase your supply faster than if you express and feed her ebm.

Not too much help I'm afraid, other than to say you are not alone, and as with most bf woes, "this too shall pass"

boompi, it could also be a wee growth spurt, they say 6wks for them, but imo its a week more or less and never exactly 6/12/16wks.
its common for her to feed, so dont think its unusual, and hopefully it'llpass quickly!
hth

Symnpathies to you Boompi. As others have said, things change very fast at this age. just wanted to add though, can you encourage her to feed for any longer at each session? My ds used to feed for ages but then go a reasonable time between feeds.

If she comes after only a few minutes could you:

• offer her more?
• offer her the other side?
• Give her a few mins of awake time and then offer again?

Just thinking that if you could get maybe 3 or 4 7-minute feeds then she may go a little longer. Also in case your supply needs to catch up with her demands, there's nothing more important than feeding as much as she things she needs - only by sucking will she get your body to make more.

Good luck!

My ds was like this between 4 and 6 weeks then again at about 9 weeks! He was like it when he was having a growth spurt so fed more to make me produce more milk.It is best to let dd breastfeed whenever she likes as this way u WILL produce enough milk for her. The more she feeds the more u will produce.Might end up feeling like a cow but hey ho! Expressing milk doesnt provide the same stimulation that a baby does so try to put dd on the breast if you feel you can. I know sometimes when they are feeding so frequently it can get a bit sore! I could only use one breast so got very sore, I tried lots of different creams and lansinoh is by far the best one I found! Expensive but worth it if nipples are sore!

My DS was exactly the same. I must admit I just gave in (still do) and spent the entire time with the remote, catalogues and phone next to me, much of it in bed. If you can go with all the advice below and your supply really will increase, a baby that age isn't demanding atention or faking, if she needs to feed she needs to feed, if she needs to suckle she needs to suckle. Babies and animals don't fake... If by any chance this is your first, ie you don't have other children to look after, just stay in bed with your babba and persaude your dh to leave your lunch ready made in the fridge and cook/microwave supper when he comes home! Worked for me. Good luck x

Thanks for all the advice. It is really reassuring to know that this is normal. I can cope if I know its just a phase.