Severe lack of sleep...constant night time breastfeeding...losing the plot

[emsylou]

Hi all, my ds is just over 5 months old and has always fed every 2 hours a night however over the last couple of weeks he is really restless throughout the whole night and realises as soon as i pop my nipple out of his mouth (even if he hasnt been properly feeding for a while) and wakes if I do not continue to breastfeed. All of this we do lying down and just alter sides throughout the night. He is constantly on off and restless while on the boob as well, though his eyes are shut and is sort of asleep. I regulary pick him up to wind which he is not happy with and always does a big burp. I have two other children to look after, Im a single mum and its the summer holidays and I feel like Im losing my grip and want to do the absolute best thing for everyone. I cant sleep in the daytime because there is too much to do with other children. Can anyone offer any advice or been through this phase?

Does he take a dummy? Is he breast feeding for comfort rather than hunger do you think? you are amazing to have coped this far with two other kids. I tried but couldn't cope with the sleep deprivation.

yes of course.....thank you so much for grounding me. It wont always be like this will it, I think this is my fear that I am doing something drastically wrong. I am responding to my babies needs which I know change all the time. Thank you Raspberry that was exactly what I needed to hear. Sending you some strength and will think of you in the long night ahead and know that I am not alone

Mainly comfort at the moment Tracey...some feeding but mostly comfort. I havent tried with dummy. Sleep deprivation is hard isnt it. Every task seems really hard at the moment.

Does he feed much during the day?

Is he exclusively bf or have you started with solids at all?

he breast feeds regulary during the day although is a little more distracted when feeding.....we have been giving him some avocado or brocolli each day because he is showing a huge interest in food and its very clear when we are eating that he wants some but at this stage what he is getting in his mouth is minimum.

It's like walking through fog! I have two other young children too, it feels relentless sometimes doesn't it when they are all go during the day and the baby is up at night! Do you ever express? Maybe a full expressed bottle last thing at night might keep his tummy full longer and give you a bit more sleep.

My other two children are older so probably not as difficult as having young but still requiring activities, attention, feeding, taxi driver, sleepovers etc. I havent expressed yet actually...a very good idea, thank you!

How does he nap? If he doesn't get enough daytime sleep, that may be making the nights worse.

Teething?

My dd is exactly the same!! I often think half the problem is wind but woe betide if I take my boob away for a split second and prop he up she's a tiny little thing but strong as an ox and getting her into wind position is impossible!! I've been chanting the mantra for five months now..... This too will pass...... But I'm seriously in doubt!!I'm hoping against hope when I start weaning in the next month she may be a bit better!!

Did he start getting restless before or after you introduced solids? Just wondered if they made him uncomfy.

Dd was like this but got better - there is a developmental spurt around 4/5 months which is a killer. I also found putting dd into her cot more helped too.

Also if you think wind and he does big burps, maybe he's uncomfy from that? Can you wind after a feed and try and settle in bed then move away a bit from him? How's his latch? My dd has a poor latch due to tongue tie but is better now. However wind was the cause of many night wakings and constant comfort feeding as I'd be too tired to wind properly.