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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Cluster feeding and cranky behaviour during the day as well as in the evening, is this normal?

8 replies

Cydonia · 19/08/2012 12:48

Hi, DS is 12 weeks and ebf. He is quite fussy in general ( though thankfully seems to be over the colic ), more so in the evenings and cluster feeds, so far so normal. But the last few weeks he has days where he'll want to feed every 1 - 2 hours and is cranky in between, but this is all day rather than just afternoons and evenings like before. I thought it was a growth spurt but don't they normally just last a few days? I also thought as they got older they fed for shorter periods as they get more efficient. But where DS was averaging about 15 mins per feed it's now about 30 mins, then 30 mins to an hour later he's crying again! I'm not very good at telling a hungry cry from another type of cry, so just offer a feed if he cries and he always takes it, so must be hungry? I also feel bad as for the first few weeks I had confusing advice and didnt feed him on demand properly, misreading his hunger signs and thinking he can't be hungry again yet. I've now read this can lead to them ditching the early hunger signs and thinking they have to scream to get food :(
Anyway I digress! Basically just want to know if this constant feeding is normal and how long it might go on for? As I'm finding it hard to get anything done during the day and not sleeping much at night either. I'm also trying to keep a supply of expressed milk for him for when I do have leave him for a couple of hours but struggling to fit this in as he's always feeding!
Anyone else out there in the same boat?!

OP posts:
JiltedJohnsJulie · 19/08/2012 16:04

When he feeds, do you offer the other side Cydonia?

Cydonia · 19/08/2012 17:16

No not normally. I let him feed as long as he wants on one side, he either falls asleep (briefly) and comes off or spits the nipple out. If I then offer other side he's not interested. Sometimes he gets very fussy after about 10 mins of feeding, pulling off and hitting breast. In this case he might take the other breast.

OP posts:
BobbysBeardOfWonder · 19/08/2012 17:19

Is he tired? Tiny babies can't stay awake much past an hour or so without getting a bit cranky. I try to let my 14 week DS sleep 90 minutes after waking up, whether in the pram or at home.

JiltedJohnsJulie · 19/08/2012 17:33

Not really sure on that one sorry then Cydonia. Is there a BFC near to you or have you called one of the Bfing Helplines?

Cydonia · 19/08/2012 18:51

Bobbys I think he is tired some of the time, he often goes longer than 2 hours awake as will only nap when he feels like it! This is getting a bit better though. I guess when he's cranky it's just easier to feed him than to fight with him and try and get him to sleep.
JJJ yes we do have a local BF support group which I've only just come across, and a helpline which I have rung before but they didn't seem much more clued up than me after being on here! Worth a try though I suppose.

OP posts:
Suckeddry · 20/08/2012 23:06

I had similar issues with DS who is now 19 weeks. Looking back, the 8 & 12 week growth spurts were both long & kind of amalgamated together. The 12 week one lasted 10 days and started at the end of week 10... Nearly killed me. He was cranky pretty much that whole time.

I was also rubbish at reading cues and found the baby whisperer really helpful for this. The wonder weeks book is also brilliant for defining the growth spurts & how they're cues change. The most reliable feeding cue for DS is poking his tongue in & out & has stood the test of time! I often misread being overtired for being hungry & would feed which led to lots of snacking & messing around.

DS also started going longer when nursing and still does. I realise it's because he now comfort sucks which he didn't do before. He's gone from 5-10mins to up to 30. I kind of like it really as it means he's enjoying it more. The tongue tie & reflux put him before I think.

Cydonia · 21/08/2012 12:21

Ah they sound the same! He also seemed to run two growth spurts into each other. I think we're over the worst now but it's good to know its not just me! Need to sort his naps out now, since I started taking note of when they are and how long he's been awake etc he's decided he's going to constantly fight sleep!

OP posts:
Suckeddry · 21/08/2012 22:55

Pleased it helped Smile

Naps are the bane if my life too. I got it sorted for a while and we were doing ok but it's just changed again after the four month sleep regression & we're back to not napping...arrggh!!

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