Feeding frenzy (2.5h - 3h) at only 5 days old

[Elborg]

Hi, my little one is only 5 days old and has had a second stint today of feeding almost constantly for 2.5h. My milk came in on day 3, the boobs empty as they should and get soft after a feed. She latches on properly, I can hear her swallow and. She spits up every once in a while (on these feeds only she normally only splits up every once in a while).

I'm just exhausted as she feeds almost constantly and don't know if this is normal or not? I mean her stomach is only this small and I'm not sure where she puts it? Should I call the midwife?

I read around and it seems it somewhat common around growth spurts, but isn't it way too early for her to have a growth spurt?

Sounds completely normal and a bit of a shock to the system.

She is establishing your milk supply. To begin with they feed so often in order to stimulate your supply. Her stomach is expanding from the size of a marble when she is born to the size of a ping pong ball by day ten. And your supply has to keep up with that.

Have lots of skin on skin contact. That really helps stimulate the production of milk.

And spitting up is normal. Very normal. Only need to worry if it's green.

Is she having at least two poos a day (size of a £2 coin) and at least 6 wet nappies? If so then she is getting enough milk.

It does get easier, believe me it sounds like everything is fine. Babies become more efficient feeder and they end up being able to drink more faster.

I was completely unaware of how long feeds would take in the early days. I definitely spent more time feeding than not feeding in the first two weeks and found it quite stressful due to the state of the house and red raw nipples. Hang on in there, at 12 weeks feeds are every 3 hours and take about 20 minutes. Your supply will become perfectly matched to her needs and she will perfect her technique. All of these long feeds are the stepping stones to get to that point. In time those little posset sicks won't even register with you. I found whenever morale dropped, reading articles on the benefits of breast milk really helped and remembering a paediatricians comment in hospital that my breastfeeding is the greatest gift that little person will ever receive.

Thanks! Just so needed reassurance. Last night was better, but yes a shock to the system.

yep my lo was exactly the same. I never watched so much jeremy kyle in one sitting in my life. If I had known he would just keep going I would have put a decent film on.

Lol Juju

OP look up growth spurts for your future piece of mind. The ten day ine knocked me for six!

Are you me 4 months ago?? I remember feeling exactly the same! Although it doesn't sound like there is a problem, you might find it helpful to ring National Breastfeeding Helpline or similar just to be able to chat with someone about breastfeeding. For a while it felt like all I could think about was bfing, and it was good to share with someone who knew what they were talking about.