BFing every hour- is this normal?!

[Paintyourbox]

I have a 7 week old DD who has been breast fed from the start. She was 7lb 14oz when born and is now just over 11lb.

Previously she was going up to 4 hours between feeds but for the last 10 days we are feeding every hour! She only stays on for about 15 mins before she falls asleep, I change her nappy to wake her and offer her the other side but she rarely takes it. At night she goes about 2 hours between feeds but she has gone longer in the past (waking at 3am after a dream feed at 11pm).

Her weight gain is fine- 1lb 2oz in one week so I am sure she is getting enough!

I feel like I do nothing else but feed her, it's really getting me down as I have PND and would love for someone to help with the feeding so I can rest like the hv wants but she totally refuses a bottle if I express one for her. In desparation I tried one formula bottle which she took after much screaming and then promptly threw up (won't be trying that again!!)

Can anyone help?! I feel like a terrible mum right now!

You are not alone, but this too shall pass. It is normal for ones that small to feed all the time. Can you get someone to do other things while you feed? For example, DH does all nappy changes when he is home.

My lovely DP helps out lots, bringing me food and water when feeding, doing the housework but unfortunately he has just started a block of nightshifts at work so it's just me I am afraid.

My family are a 6 hour drive away and his are 4 hours away so it's pretty tough just now!

One thing I wished I'd done was learn to breastfeed while wearing a sling. Your little one is probably young enough for you to learn to do that.

Sympathies though, it is really tough. Think of it this way, your milk must be pretty darn good if she wants it that much. DD is 20 months now and it was worth it for us. It gets easier too.

When my DD wanted feeding constantly she would ask for it less if I wore her in a sling. I think sometimes she wanted the closeness of me and was feeding jus tto get that. I wouldn't recommend just sticking her in a sling if she is obviously hungry, but if she's been fed and changed, stick her in and see if she goes any longer.

It is entirely normal, probably a growth spurt, and you are doing wonderfully well.

I second trying to feed her in a sling and also feeding her lying down.

Sorry to hear that you have PND too. Has anyone told you about APNI and you might like this book too .

You are doing really, really well. 11lbs! You grew that!

It is really hard, esp if DP isn't able to help much atm. It will pass. 16wo DS still pretty much feeds that often I'm afraid, but he's become super-efficient and only feeds for 5-10 mins a time. Are you sure you need to wake her to offer the other side? I'd be inclined to let her sleep but perhaps someone more knowledgeable will correct me.

Posted too soon... Let everything else go. Forget the housework. Feed your baby, feed and water yourself, rest lots. Feed in bed, feed in the bath. Be kind to yourself.

Thanks for all your replies! Hv weighed her yesterday- 11lb 11oz! All the feeding is doing her some good!

We have a moby wrap which she seems to quite like, only thing is she doesn't like her head being held in the one position- she is very curious and likes to be able to look around!

She slept from 8.45pm until just before midnight so I got a lovely rest! Determined to keep at BFing.

Normal. This is something no one ever tells you, some days they'll just feed ALL. THE. TIME.

It won't last.

Hi paint,

My girl is about the same age as your DC. When she was about 5-6 weeks there was no stopping her, it was night, noon and morning (though thankfully she's a cheerful little nutter). It was horrendous but thankfully DH used to come home and take her for a while. It was partially growth spurt and partially comfort I think with DD. she did stop about the 6 week mark but I'm expecting a repeat performance shortly (with all the advice to wean her that goes with that).

All of which is to say that you will come through it. Just stock up on nice nutritious snacks that you enjoy and a few nice drinks and be kind to yourself.

Oh, and my house is like a bomb hit it. I just don't care.

Thanks for this thread and all the responses describing my 5 week old DD to a tee - so reassuring

To answer your question, and as everybody else has said: yes, it is normal.

But hard. My sympathies. It does pass, but my, it is hard at the time.
It helped me to never think further ahead than to the next feed.
TBH with all of mine it took to 3-4 months before I found BFing 'easy'. Then, it was a breeze, so well worth persevering.

The most depressing thing I every saw when I was in the throws of looking after a demanding baby and various numbers of other children, was a BFing frined's house whose baby was thriving and her frigging house was immaculate . Really, really got me down.
Until I found out her DH who has OCD and struggled with the disruption a new baby had brought on, had sprung for 15 hours worth of cleaner/house keeper time. Per week!

BFing mothers housekeeping shoulde come way, way down the list of priorities IMO.