Cluster feeding going on half the night

[japhrimel]

My DD is 6 weeks tomorrow so I was expecting a growth spurt, but I'm not sure how to cope with extended cluster feeding!

Last night she cluster fed from 7.30pm to 1.30am, with no more than 10-15 minutes off the breast during that time. And it was mostly proper sucking, not sleeping on me or flutter-sucking. After that she fell asleep more deeply but when I tried repeatedly to settle her she'd wake up and frantically root, despitye clearly being exhausted. My DH also tried with the same result which usually means she is hungry, especially as she rejected her dummy. In the
end we gave her a bottle of ebm and she took 100ml, following which we managed to settle her.

My supply seems fine in volume but hasn't settled down to her feeding pattern yet as she had to have top-ups (emb + formula, then just ebm) for some weeks after initia; issues. Eg. she'll sleep for longer at nights but I wake up painfully full after 2-3 hours.

I don't mind feeding her even more atm but I need some sleep even if its just short bursts. Last night I was worried I'd fall asleep with her in a chair. I struggle to get her to nap during the day without her falling asleep either in the sling or when out so I often can't sleep when she naps.

And I'd like to try and settle my supply and surely giving her ebm and then having to pump when she's asleep will only prolong this issue?

Other than co-sleeping (which I'm going to try again now I'm getting over a bout of thrush which had made feeding really painful), what could I do? Is it normal for a baby to not sleep like that?

Yes it is VERY normal.

Cluster feeding is a good thing for the baby and your supply, but is knackering when you're the one doing the feeding. It is one of the ahrdest things I find about bf'ing.

How about trying to get the cluster feeding started earlier in the day? Say 4pm? Although of course getting them to feed is easier said than done. But if she starts earlier (in theory) she'll stop earlier in the evening - giving you a break.

I used to express enough for one bottle a day. So I would go to bed about 8pm (after the cluster feeding had finished and I had had some dinner), hand ds over to dh and then dh would give the bottle to ds when he yelped for food.

It meant I had some time without a baby attached to me (ie sanity time) and I also got a stretch of a few hours consecutive sleep before the night time feeds started.

But please remember it really is normal, she's still very young and most importantly, it won't last forever.

Good luck

Thanks. Its good to know this sounds normal. I'll try and get her feeding earlier today.

My DD did this for the first few months would cluster feed from afternoon until 1-3am...then she suddenly just got better. Now shes now 3.5 months and feeds more in the evening 4-6 ish and is asleep by 7.30-8pm. Nothing I did she just grew out of it.

I started off sat in my room in the dark for hours at a time but was much happier when I decided I could sit down in the living room, lights on low and tv on quietly.

Honestly don't dispare (I did at times, especially as I really wanted to eat without a baby attached to my breast)..It will get better.

Yep, sounds normal to me. I'd really, really recommend co-sleeping - from as early in the evening as you can face lying down!

I have fond memories of watching videos on the sofa with DH though.

Naps will improve as she gets older, but it makes it really hard work when you can't sleep then, doesn't it?