BF DS 4.5 weeks cluster feeding 11am - 730pm so far, is this normal?

[smk84]

Hi (again), DS has been feeding for 8.5 hours ! Not non-stop, but it feels like it ! He has had one half hour nap (car induced !) and a 10 minute sleep with DH. He does do a fair amount of sleeping at the boob though ! So I am starting to wonder whether this happens to other people - am used to 4-6 hours cluster feeding, but not this long ! I can't understand how so many people manage through all this cluster feeding? I hardly see my 3yo DS, never get any house work done, and only just find the time to shower ! Finding it so stressful, but have managed quite well as DH home, but tomorrow on my own again :( Also, I am not sure if I should take him off and swap sides when he starts to get sleepy, as from then on he doesn't do much swallowing. Thanks so much (again).

Yes. Sorry. Happened with all 3 of mine. The hardest was the first because of all the stuff out there about routines and 3 hourly feeds.

I'm on no.3 now (3 weeks old) and whilst there are times I want to growl at my poor newborn, I am finding the whole hing much easier because I can just accept that is how if is.

Instead of resenting feeding AGAIN when I only put him down 10 mins ago, I spend the feeds planning how to productively use the next 10 mins, and then try to enjoy cuddling up with my tiny baby and growing him all by myself.

And, yes. I find that although I can be itching to get up it is actually better to swap sides, and then again if possible to get the maximum into him at a time.

Yes pretty much. DD2 cluster fed in an evening and I spent from 6pm till 11pm just sat feeding and watching her sleep.
It doesn't last for ever though and you will eventually find a way through it. As for not spending much time with your other dc that is pretty common after your 2nd baby and pretty much unavoidable when bfeeding, same with housework.
He could be gearing up for a growth spurt so it should calm down again soon.
After I had dc4 i made sure after she had been fed and put down for a nap I gave dc3 a lot of quality time so she didn't feel left out. I read to her whilst I fed which made her feel part of the feeding.

thank you both

cluster from 5-11 yesterday... thank Pete for CBeebies!

he did sleep well after that which was great...

kindle handy as can turn pages one-handed

MN good for Mummy entertainment too - don't sit down without the remote!