cluster feeding - what should I do? I'm so tired..

[anka7]

DD is 7 weeks and she's been very good eater until last week. Suddenly she developed an habit to eat in every 10-20min (in the evenings around 5pm-9pm and sometimes in the mornings as well) and only be on breast for couple of minutes at the time. Then she lets go and starts to scream. Or screams and then lets my breast go. She cries 10-20mins until she is ready to take the breast again - for another minute or two. I'm so tired of this (and so as she), basically I have my breasts hanging out all evening. Any other time of the day she has a normal long feed (10-15mins - she's been very quick from day one). And nights are fine too.
I was wondering if I tried a bottle - will she eat then all of her feed in one go or shouldn't I be bothered trying? The thing is my FIL will be staying with us soon for a week and I'm not happy showing my breasts in every 10min. And maybe then my DD will be happier baby too, at the moment our evenings are just nightmare!
Any advice?

DS2 went through a pahselike this one too but just in the mornings ... He would be feeding every 30 min between 5h00 till 9.00.
It passed. I suspect that was one of these growth spurs that everyone is talking about except that it lasted about 2 weeks and not 2~3 days ....
It will get better, perhaps even before your FIL arrives !

Does she use a dummie? My dd improved once she started using one as it was just the sucking she wanted. Also is she perhaps over tired and trying to use fedding to fall asleep? Personally I wouldn't use a bottle but just ride it out and as Sabine says it will get better.

That's what I thought first and I tried different types of dummies (several times) - she doesn't like them at all, screams even more.

Sometimes she falls asleep while feeding, I'm doing all the tricks to try to keep her awake then and sometimes it works and she keeps eating. But mostly she's not bothered and keeps sleeping. When I put her down she sleeps maybe maximum 30min (usually 10mins) and starts screaming again - demanding more food and it all starts all over again...

anka, this could be the sort of behaviour associated with a v. generous milk supply, which I've discussed a lot on mumsnet.

Is your baby gaining weight very well?
Do you sometimes feel overfull/leaking?

If so, then coupled with the behaviour you describe which is another, it could be this...you can try one sided feeding (check the archives for the details of this) for a few days.

Tiktok, do you mean the milk is coming out too fast for the baby to be able to drink? could expressing a little before feeding also help? I remember the milk shooting out was sometimes too much for my baby, and it ended up with him pulling off and getting sprayed in the eyes (tmi??).

But could it also be that supply is lowest in the evening, and the baby is going through a growth spurt (remember that at about 7-8 weeks), and is frustrated at it not coming fast enough? In that case, trying a bottle of ebm might help, so long as you also express so you don't lose supply in the evening.

Thanks tiktok - think I should try this, she IS gaining weight very well and my breasts are leaking A LOT!
Because I'm going away for a day next week and have to leave DD with MIL I have to express some milk for her but after I manage to do this I defenently try one sided feeding.

Sorry you're so tired Anka.
A lot of us have been through this.
Get a comfy little nursing station set up in front of the tv and make it clear to those around you that normal duties are suspended for a while.

Put FIL off if too much,but again,his visit and the feeding will provide you with a great excuse to get a bit of time alone (always welcome with a houseguest)
Go and lie down with a book.

If you express,you could get someone else to do a couple of night feeds while you catch up on your sleep.

Well done btw.

clairemow - that might be true as well, I don't know now... There is really fast flow at the beginning of the feed (flying milk!!!) and then it slows down. DD might be just 'lazy' and don't want to suck hard enough.

So, I'm thinking now until I have to express anyway I'll try to feed her ebm and see what happens!

And thanks moondog - I'm trying to do my best
FIL is coming from Italy and it's the first time he'll see his grand-daughter. But I managed to reduce the days he'll be staying in our house (from 8 to 4), so think it's a good start

Almost certain you have over-generous milk, anka - dd isn't lazy, just overhwlmed a bit by the powerful letdown. Read up on one side feeding and see how it works for this as well as the other symptoms.