DD 5 days old and has been feeding all day!!!!

[staineshunt123]

hi my dd is 5 days old and has been feeding all day since 2.30 am! She feeds for an hour, falls asleep after pulling herself off but as soon as i put her down she wants to feed again! I feel like i have not moved off the settee all day! My boobs are so sore! My ds is coming up to 4 and I feel so guilty as I have no time for him. I cant keep doing this for weeks! I was expecting it to be hard but i dont remember it being like this with ds.

congrats on your lovely new DD! If I remember correctly, there are little growth spurty days in the first couple of weeks (one at 5-6 days, one at 10 days? Something like that?) and then there's one at 3 weeks, one at 6 weeks - and they were ALL like the one you describe for me - glued to baby, glued to couch - BUT it won't last! I swear it won't last!
Please have an un-mn hug from me, you're doing an amazing thing. You don't remember it being like this cos it stops being like this after about 6 weeks and becomes waaaay easier (IME).

Is the soreness a latch issue? If she's not latching on deeply enough she might be feeding more to try and get a bit more milk? I'm not v. qualified with this stuff so I hope someone else comes along for you, but I wanted to just say - hang on in there, you're doing GREAT and yes, I remember it being like that a few days in the first couple of months. You're not alone!

I remember at 5 days my second baby fed all night. The midwife said that is normal at 5 days as a stage of milk supply needing to increase/change. I can't remember how long it went on for though, but think day 5 was the worst. I do remember crying to a breastfeeding counsellor with DC3 feeding constantly in the day, but it did get better! I wish I could remember how soon to tell you, sorry.

I think babies also feed more if you are hungry or tired, then because they are feeding so much you get more tired and don't have time to eat properly etc. So try to eat regularly, and protein rich foods. My midwife with 1st child suggested cheese and crackers for snacks as well as the regular meals. Also have plenty to drink. I know it's difficult to rest/sleep when you have another child, but as soon as nearly 4 year old is asleep it is a good idea for you to sleep as soon as the baby goes to sleep.

And try to get someone else to do chores etc. if possible.

It won't go on forever so don't worry about your other child. You could read him a book and/or chat to him while you are feeding. Can't think of anything else, but someone else will hopefully come along.

It's such a short time. Up to 10 days old is basically 1 growth spurt as I understand it, so there's crazy amounts of feeding as you try to establish supply.

Definitely get as much help as possible with latch to avoid soreness.

And feed lying down to rest. Would your older child get into bed with you and the baby so you could them a story whilst feeding AND resting?

Hi there. Thank you all for your responses. It made me feel better that there wasnt anything actually "wrong" and that it is quite normal.

She actually stopped feeding at 1.45 this morning and slept til 6. She had another feed til half 7 and is now fast asleep.

I went into our local maternity ward on Monday and they monitored my feeding. Everything is working as it should, she is latching on correctly. I think it is because it is constant. She never stopped all day and constantly fed so she was on them for nearly 24 hours!

She also never really slept because as soon as she stopped feeding and fell asleep when I tried to put her down she would wake again and feed. Im hoping that today will be a less frantic feeding day.

Im going to have to wake her soon as one of my boobs is getting a bit big and sore now!! Im hoping that it will not mean she starts all over again!

Try using a sling so you can do things without putting her down