Help, evening bf's a nightmare, not sure what's happening

[taten]

My ds is 5 weeks old tomorrow and has been a good eater since he was born, but about two weeks ago he has started fussing during afternoon and evening feeds. It kind of feels like he's doing it because I don't have enough milk but if I had express I still have lotsofmilk. He also sometimes pulls off like he's finished but then complains for more food when he realises he not feeding anymore. This all culminates in up to 5 hours of feeding ( and me caving in and giving him formula because its the only thing that will settle him), fussing and crying between 4 and 9pm. The worst time possible as I have a 21 month old daughter who also needs attention, dinner, bath and bed......
Whats wrong?..and what do I do about it? I would really appreciate any help

Does he have reflux or wind?

This sounds to me cluster feeding which is very normal but which will pass. Though it's difficult at the time- my DD2 was doing this two months ago.
Can anyone else help with bedtime/ bathtime occasionally to help you "over the hump"? I also stopped bathing my older child every night and gave her very very simple dinners, and begged asked friends/ family to visit to help.

It sounds like cluster feeding to me. My DD did this every evening for 5-6hrs until she was about 12wks I think. She'd feed, come off, cry, root, eat hands so I'd put her on the other side and spend hours just swapping her from side to side. About halfway through she'd fall off dead asleep and you'd think that was it but 15 minutes after she'd be awake and start again. The only good thing about it was that I'd get a relatively decent stretch of sleep once she was done but it was a really tough stage. I think they do it to build your milk supply. Sometimes she'll cluster feed now for a couple of hours if we've had a busy day and she's not fed much, she's 20wks tomorrow

could you perhaps just give your daughter a sandwich for tea which you prepare earlier in the day and do the main cooked meal at lunchtime instead? That might save some time. Or feed baby in a sling?

He does have a bit of wind but is very good at bringing it up. I wondered if this was cluster feeding, I don't really remember my daughter doing it. I think I'm trying to be a domestic mummy goddess and doing far too much, need to simplify things. Giving dd a sandwich for dinner is a good idea (and there's a chance I might have thought of that if I hadn't been a sleep deprived walking zombie).m
How long does this normally last?

Oh and hubby does help out with bath time which is great.

Definitely sounds like cluster feeding. Hopefully it'll tail off around 12 weeks though can sometimes be longer before a new baby realises they don't need to stay (that) close to you as the night draws in, that there aren't predators out to eat them! They're very clever really, new babies. What better way to ensure the safety of mama's arms than being a right fussy bugger! He's also firming up your milk supply at a crucial time of night when milk production hormones are high (which is why, although a bit of a sanity-saver, introducing a night time bottle of formula must be done with caution - though lots of people do this and it doesn't affect things negatively).

I agree that trying feeding him in a nice soft sling is a good idea, then your hands will be free(er) to do DD's bedtime routine. Can DH cook up a big batch of pasta or soup or casserole that can be frozen and quickly defrosted for a lovely supper?

Stick with it - plenty of cake during the day will help. Fact.

sounds exactly like what my DD did at around that age, she was a right fussy bugger! i would say it's cluster feeding. don't worry about your milk supply, it will be fine as long as you keep at it. i also read somewhere that introducing a night time bottle of formula can upset your milk supply but not sure if that is 100% accurate, as breastfeeding is a supply and demand process so if baby wants it, baby gets it! it might be that there is a risk of nipple confusion, especially at 5 weeks. i think 7 weeks is the earliest recommended time to introduce a bottle.

do persevere and the cluster feeding will calm down, i used to confine myself to the sofa for the night when DD was doing this, maybe your OH could put in a wee bit of extra help just for a few weeks until it passes if he's able to?