Breastfeeding going well but feeling a bit disheartened

[IceCreamCastles]

ds is 9 weeks now and after a bit of a rocky start (tongue tie and a lot of soreness) bf is going well in that he is putting on plenty of weight, feeds without fussing, sleeps well and is generally content and happy.

But...feeding is still v frequent-1-2 hourly in the day with cluster feeding all evening until 11pm (when he usuallly goes down and sleeps 4-5, sometimes 6 hours so can't complain at that). I have a 3 year old too so not easy.

He tends to be sick after most feeds and in-between times. He soaks through bibs, gets sick all down me at regular intervals.

Today I left him for the first time to go to the hairdressers. Dh fed him a bottle of ebm which he downed in 2 minutes and didn't throw up. All seemed v simple.

Just makes me wonder when and if bf will be the easier option as opposed to bottle feeding. And when life will become about more than feeding.

Dd was a real pain to feed by either method so I suppose I should be grateful that things are going so well!

Any motivating words of wisdom would be much appreciated.

You're doing brilliantly. Feed frequency is within normal range, enjoy the long stretches of sleep and try feeding in a sling in the day so you can have hands free for DD. Try co-sleeping or at least feeding lying down if you haven't already to get you through the incessant times!

Some babies are just very sicky. As long as he doesn't appear to be distressed or in pain it may just be one of those things. He's just figuring out how much he needs - you're both still learning. Try not to jiggle or rock him too much after feeds, and keep him slightly upright for 20-30 mins if you can. It may be indicative of something else, but I don't know enough to comment on possibilities.

A lot of mothers find 12 weeks to be a real turning point. You're so close to this! Something seems to click, babies are bigger, cluster feeding might reduce from around then. Stick with it - washing, sterilising, boiling, mixing, cooling and feeding is a lot more work than getting boob out and feeding!

And frankly I reckon today was beginner's luck for DH!

Someone on here said the first part of breastfeeding is like a bootcamp and then it really starts to pay off in terms of ease and flexibility in the longterm vs formula feeding. You are the through the first 6 weeks which can be the hardest and I agree around 3 months I really started to feel I was so pleased I had stuck with it.

That is great sleeping. I would love my much much older bf child to have ever gone 6 hours!

You've done really well to have resolved your earlier problems and its great he'll take a bottle so you have that as an option too.

Thank you.

We still haven't mastered feeding lying down and feeding in a sling seems an impossible dream at the moment. He does like being in the Moby so I can get things done around the house.

I do wonder if I could space his daytime feeds out a bit as he is a laid back soul bit worry about the impact of that on his weight gain, nighttime sleep and supply.

You could, but spacing out feeds will probably lead to more work from you (distracting, calming, soothing, rocking, patting, shushing) when you could just feed! I appreciate that's over-simplifying. If you're concerned that baby isn't necessarily taking a lot per feed, and perhaps that's the reason for frequency, have a google for Breast compressions, and remember to switch sides if baby seems to lose interest on one side.

Wise folk on her have told me time & time again that it's always easier to adapt what you do than try to change a baby who is just a bundle of instinct, unaware of times, schedules, other commitments etc.

Have a look for a sling meet near you - I'm sure there'd be people there who could advise on feeding in your Moby. Also I can't recommend feeding lying down enough! It's a sanity-saver for sure! Do you have a bf group/peer supporter/counsellor you could ask about it?

Well done on getting this far, especially with the problems you had - you've got through the hardest bit!

You might find DS starts to space out feeds and/or feed rather faster himself in the next few weeks as he becomes more interested in the world around him and hence more efficient at feeding.

I always found it easier to feed a small baby lying down if they had a pillow under them, agree with everyone else, a few more weeks and you'll be amazed how much easier it gets xx

Re the sick - have you tried feeding him with him as upright as possible?

Thanks- have managed a few lying down feeds with him on a v pillow which have been ok but he likes to swap sides quite often so it's a bit of a faff and I imagine feeding in a sling would be similarly awkward.

Wrt to keeping him upright, I do this after feeding and most of the time really. Dd had silent reflux so it's second nature really. Am actually amazed everytime I lie him on his playmat etc and he doesn't scream like she used to!

Yes, will stick with it- if nothing else I guess breastmilk sick is less manly than formula sick.

Any ideas as to when/how I might be able to get him into bed before 11?

Manky, not manly

Excellent comments/suggestions already but can I just add one. You're only weeks away from DS really "thanking" you while you feed him. Those lovely gummy smiles as they turn their head to look at you and then bury their face again in the boob will have you think it was all worth it!