2 week old feeds continually between 5-9pm- I'm knackered

[nearlymumofone]

My 2 week old is BF and feeds 3 hourly throughout the day each feed taking 20 mins on each breast. When it gets to the bedtime feed at 5/6 he won't settle at bedtime afterwards as he still appears hungry or he falls asleep wakes 30-45 mins later appearing to need a feed, will feed fully off a breast again, fall asleep and either settles back to sleep for a very short time before waking needing to be fed again or won't go back to sleep before having another full breast.

I'm not sure what is actually left in my breasts at this time- he's basically on them from 5-9pm and I am exhausted. I plan to start introducing formula anyway soon.

Anyone got any ideas on what to do? Thanks x

This is called cluster feeding and is very normal for small babies. Just set yourself up on the sofa and let the baby feed and doze - swap sides every time s/he comes off. Make sure your OH is waiting on you hand and foot and enjoy some TV!

I would second what Rubirosa says. It is very common for young babies to cluster feed usually in the evening for a few hours.

Just need to prepare yourself to sit in the evening (or lie in bed) tv remote, drinks and snacks nearby and hopefully someone to wait on you.

Your breasts will be producing milk and your baby will be getting nourishment so try not to worry.

What not to do would be introduce formula right now, or it will undo all your hard work :)

This is normal two week old behavior, and would be no different with a bottle. The evening time is called cluster feeding. Remember at this age his stomach size is tiny, so he will need to be feeding as frequently as he is.

It eases off soon.

Its totally normal behaviour for many newborns (congratulations btw!) See here on cluster feeding.

Easiest thing is to go with it as they usually grow out of it in a few weeks. You always have milk as more is made as soon as its removed. Yes your breasts might not feel full but there is always milk as long as you feed frequently. Remember he was a part of you until very recently so may just want to stay close to you.

Practical things - eat an early dinner before the witching hour begins to keep your strength up. Arrange someone to take the baby when he is content eg first thing in the morning so you can get a break.

My babies both did this. Take heart OP, make sure you have a comfy chair, box sets and Green and Blacks chocolate on tap. It doesn't last forever and is better than them cluster feeding in the middle of the night, no? Also you could see it as you being told by nature to sit down and relax to recover from the birth....
Congratulations on your new baby BTW!

My baby is 6 weeks old and still does this, we go to bed at 10 ans she carries on feeding for about 45 mins and then sleeps for a really long stretch, 4 - 5 hours most nights now. She started doing 3 hour stretches at about 3 weeks so keep going with it and soon you will hopefully get a decent length kip.

Don't worry that you haven't got enough milk for him and that you should be doing something different. This is completely normal for two-week old babies (and in fact well up to 8 weeks and maybe even 12) - it's called cluster feeding and just make sure you've got a big glass of water and the remote control. Don't worry about putting him to bed or anything, just feed him, let him doze and feed until you go to bed. It's absolutely what is supposed to be happening at this point.

Completely normal. My dd had a few 10 hour cluster feeding marathons around this time. They used to kill me! Hang in there, it will pass.