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Infant feeding

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

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Original poster

Can someone remind that it gets easier?

49 replies

elsiewoo · 09/01/2014 16:37

DD is 23 days old today and has been feeding ALL DAY - she is ebf

She has barely slept - the odd 10 mins here and there while feeding.

I've just had a little cry as I'm a bit overwhelmed with it all, although she is dc2 so I should really know the score.....

OP posts:

Mogz · 09/01/2014 18:45

She's right on time for a growth spurt, it'll only last a few days (until the next one!), hang on in there you are doing great!

Superworm · 09/01/2014 18:53

It does get easier...and even enjoyable

Those early days are utterly relentless, plus your body is still in recovery from the birth and pregnancy. It tough going.

You are both still finding your feet but in a few weeks, patterns will emerge and it will all start falling into place. You will feel physically stronger and then come the smiles! The first time DS smiled at me on the noobs my heart melted.

Superworm · 09/01/2014 18:54

Boobs not noobs.

froubylou · 09/01/2014 21:23

Feel your pain. Ds is 28 days tomorrow and we have had a tough few days and nights. But today has been better. Managed to get him down for a couple of hours earlier on and he has gone roughly
2 hours between feeds.

It's surprising how much better you feel for an hour or so without a baby on the boob. I even managed a bit of housework earlier!

Hang on in there. Eat lots of cake. Have a nice bath. Slather on the lanisoh and resign yourself to being a milk machine for the next few days.

SmallBee · 09/01/2014 21:28

Be strong. Sit on the sofa in pj's with food all around within arms reach, poo on a good box set/film and out your feet up while you feed her.

SmallBee · 09/01/2014 21:29

Whoops! clearly I meant you to put on a box set. Please don't poo on them. Oh dear.

Superworm · 09/01/2014 21:34

small

Pmsl

MoreSkyThanWeNeed · 09/01/2014 21:39

You can do it! Hang in there!
I wish someone had told me that it's not unusual to be breastfeeding constantly in the early weeks (or months in my case). I would have amended my expectations - i.e no to washing hair, yes to entire packets of chocolate digestives and watching all the crap TLC has to offer.

callamia · 09/01/2014 21:39

You're doing great, and it will get easier!

I felt like the six weeks is been promised felt like forever away, but it happened - it got easier. In the meantime, noone will begrudge you a cry, or an extended shower. Keep up with the cake and drink, make yourself cosy and know that you're doing a marvellous job.

SmallBee · 09/01/2014 21:40

I'm sure autocorrect is out to get me today. I also sent a text to my OH asking if he was busty (busy).

Monique2013 · 09/01/2014 23:25

Hang in there...DS is now 8 weeks and just started feeding less. My 1st weeks were so tiresome I know exactly what you going through.

NickyEds · 10/01/2014 01:51

I'm feeling your pain!! 19 day old ds on some sort of milk binge at the minute- feel a bit like a breeding sow at the moment. How can such a tiny baby eat for an hour solid come off for one minute then scream like he's starving for next boob. And how can he do that ALL day??? Well done for having only a small cry- I sobbed for about 2 hours yesyerday. I think perhaps we should be over whelmed- we made people for goodness sake!

Original poster

elsiewoo · 10/01/2014 09:08

Thanks so much for the replies - made me feel loads better. I guess I thought it would be much easier second time around, turns out it's just as tough! Hey ho, roll on 8 weeks I say.

In the meantime, I'll keep pooing on films and eating chocolate

OP posts:

tiktok · 10/01/2014 09:38

Er......

"In the meantime, I'll keep pooing on films"

Whatever gets you through the day, I suppose

:) :) :)

pointythings · 10/01/2014 11:06

I found the first 8 weeks really really hard, and I had buckets of milk both times. And my DDs were fast feeders even when little - started out about 30 minutes per boob, could do both sides in 15 at 3 months.

But those spurts so close together in the first few weeks are just exhausting, and then there's the cluster feeding in the evenings too, it feels like you can never put them down. I lugged mine around in a sling.

And we didn't have box sets when I was on maternity leave, (13 and 11 years ago so still v expensive) so I was reduced to watching daytime TV...

Starballbunny · 10/01/2014 11:08

It gets easier!

ElleCloughie · 10/01/2014 11:38

Just accepting that this is what you need to do right now. I stressed myself out a bit at the beginning with all the things I kept thinking about that I couldn't get done and it made me feel really fustrated and miserable. Once I accepted it, it became easier - now I'm catching up with all those series on telly that everyone talked about and I was too busy to see, and making the most of time cuddled up with my DD, because shes already growing so fast and before long will want to spend her time doing much more interesting things than curled up on the sofa with mummy!

HuglessDouglas · 10/01/2014 11:39

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

GranolaMam · 10/01/2014 11:44

In a couple of days you will have forgotten all about this and will enjoy and cherish every breastfed once more until the next growth spurt

lanbro · 10/01/2014 11:54

It does get easier! We're at 4 months and despite intentions to express and bottle feed I haven't got round to it, time goes so quickly and honestly can't be bothered to push it when we'll be weaning in another couple of months - I'm sure I wouldn't feel like that if it hadn't got easier, I've got a 22mo too! Pat yourself on the back, you've already made it further than many!

MetellaEstMater · 10/01/2014 11:58

Completely sympathise - six days in with DD2 and it's relentless. The advice to get a box set on and sit on the sofa is great whilst DH around but once he's back at work there is also DD1 to look after, so tempting as the sofa is there is only so much drawing DD1 will do and so much Mr Tumble I can tolerate..!

Munxx · 10/01/2014 13:54

It does get easier.

You can do this!

I took it feed by feed, (more manageable than day by day)

stickysausages · 10/01/2014 14:32

Just keep focussing on the fact it does get easier... and the extra sleep you'll eventually get when you do night feeds & don't have to get out of bed or make bottles!

You're doing amazing!!

TimeToPassGo · 10/01/2014 14:48

You've been through it before so you know you can survive but it is just so hatefully overwhelming at the time :( Big hugs for you. Netflix or boxsets, pint glass of squash beside you, comfy chair. And sleep as much as you can - stay away from MN! :) easier said than done as I remember!

apocketfulofposy · 10/01/2014 15:51

I am breastfeeding my 5th at the moment,this is the first time ive managed ot get this far without giving up,and shes only 3 weeks and 5 days!

shes not too bad actually,i co sleep so night feeds are easy enough,and she goes from 12 ish to 6-7 ish without a feed too at the moment.i do find the cluster feeds tricky though because its always at the times i would be putting some f them to bed so bedtimes are taking a long time at the moment,the middle two wont let their dad put them to bed they prefer me.

All this chocolate and boxsets sounds lovely but not something i can do,as i have 4 other ids all under 6,and after weighing myself a few times over the last few weeks,i have decided that breastfeeding is not an excuse for me to eat a large bar of green and blacks every day!bugger!

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