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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:

Headlikeafuckingorange · 10/01/2014 17:05

I remember this so well and even posted on here as the constant feeding was killing me. At 19 weeks now and I'm so glad I stuck it out and look back quite fondly on that time!

FariesDoExist · 10/01/2014 17:24

It gets better!

And well done! Remind yourself that you have done an amazing job so far. It is hard, the first eight weeks they feed constantly but it will get much much better, remember how tiny their tummies are at 3 weeks they're still feeding little and often (you know all this anyway you're a pro now you're on DC2!).

MrsArthurWellesley · 10/01/2014 18:31

My first is 12 weeks old and I was you a little while ago. Knowing that all my friends had found this bit shit as well was what kept me going. It's utterly relentless, even if its all going well.

We had a hard time getting feeding established but I persevered because ultimately I'm lazy and I can't be faffed with bottles in the long run. I thought it would always be awful (and sometimes it is) but mostly now it's not.

missymayhemsmum · 10/01/2014 19:37

It is relentless, isn't it. The growth spurt will end in a week or so, and in the meantime there is nothing else more important that you could do.
So retire to bed with baby and a novel if you can, comfy chair and a drink if you can't, farm out your other child to someone who has had sleep whenever you can, Kamillosan your boobs frequently, try a sling if it works for you and you can feed on the move, and just remember.. In 5, 10, 20, 50 years time it won't matter that your house was chaos and your hair unwashed for a few weeks, it will matter that you breastfed your baby and gave him or her the best possible start.

beginnings · 10/01/2014 19:42

Second child is easier?! (Hollow laugh). Wish someone had told that to the 16 week old clamped to
My boob. Her sister slept 7 to 7 from 13 weeks and this one is still all over the place. I think we're still allowed to feel overwhelmed OP.

That said, the feeding definitely gets easier. We've gone from 50 mins per boob to 5 during the day. Now if I could just sort out the nights....

Maisiemoosmum6 · 10/01/2014 19:59

Hey your doing so well. First 3 weeks are hardest. It will get easier. Not for every one but I used a soother for a few weeks as I wasn't convinced my baby was hungry all the time & felt she was using me for comfort. If your lucky enough to have help get someone to take her for a long walk while you get a soak in the bath. Hope it gets better soon for you. But don't kill yourself doing it. Xx

OhGood · 10/01/2014 21:02

So hard. Hang in there. Or stop - remember, that's fine too. Tho you may still have to feed her all the time.

DS 6mo now and feeding him is just sooooo lovely. And comforting, and close, and cuddly.

And quick - he's done in a few minutes.

And he's starting solids now, so we won't be doing this forever.

You are doing brilliantly, and your LO is lucky to have you.

audweb · 10/01/2014 22:23

It does get easier. I've only fed one child but my sister who had fed two before I fed mine used to remind me to think of it one day at a time. Or even one feed at a time to get through those tough early days. DD is now almost eleven months and I cannot believe how easy life has been feeding wise for months. I never believed it in the early days but it so does get easier x

moonmrs · 10/01/2014 22:34

Just to back up what everyone else has already said - you're doing a great job! I'm still breastfeeding my first, he's 16 weeks and a milk monster! Once I resigned myself to the fact that I couldn't feed him and do the housework/cooking/get out as much as I wanted, it was much better. I am very lucky to have dh who does the majority of the chores and I help wherever I can. It was a big shock to the system as I had no idea how often and how long babies fed for - I think I had this lovely notion that they just fed for 10 minutes every few hours, no one tells you that some days they feed alllll day and allll night. I too had several tears over it especially in the early days when you're exhausted from the birth and no sleep, it seems relentless. It does get better though and remember its only for a relatively short period of time. And as someone else said, you don't have to keep breastfeeding if it doesn't work out. Good luck to you.

apocketfulofposy · 11/01/2014 14:12

Yes i also think take it one day at a time,or set yourself mini limits,theres been a couple of times so far (at week one when i got thrush,and a about a week ago when she was feeding one side then the other all night)when i thought maybe i will mix feed?but ive done that before and its always ended up with nipple confusion so i decided to wait a week and see,im glad i did as im not at all as sore as i was then,or as tired.

radiatormesh · 11/01/2014 14:43

You're doing great and it gets easier. I'm on month 11 with #2 (BF #1 until 12m) and I'm so glad I stuck at it.

We had no real issue with #1 (other than her using me for comfort) but #2 developed severe jaundice during his first week, which resulted in a NICU stay and me arguing at midnight with the consultant who wanted to give him formula over boob milk. I spent two days not sleeping and doing nothing but pumping/expressing and it was hell, but I'm so so so glad I did.

It really is the best start you could possibly give your baby, plus when it's established it's so easy (no faffing with/remembering/sterilising bottles), cheap and incredibly healthy for you too. Plus it can be a really lovely experience.

Not everything that is good for your baby is necessarily easy (despite the NetHuns counter-message of 'happy mum, happy baby'), but BF is 100% worth sticking at. Well done you.

Halfling · 11/01/2014 18:09

Take it one feed at a time and just keep going. It will get better and easier and at keep reminding yourself that at this point it is the best food for your baby.

Always sit down to BF with a bottle of water, a comfortable chair/bed propped up by pillow and keep some entertainment close at hand - phone, magazine, book, TV remote etc.

This will all go past so quickly you will not even remember most of the early struggles and the effort will be worth it.

Blippybirthday · 11/01/2014 19:00

I used to repeatedly look up 'breastfeeding benefits' for both baby and me! Baby I thinks widely known-ish but for us there's a lot in it too. Decrease risk of certain cancers for one.

JugglingBackwardsAndForwards · 11/01/2014 19:09

In answer to your OP elsieit does get easier - very, very, imperceptibly slowly

Mine are now 12 and 14. We just went out to watch The Hobbit2 movie and back for spicey beaney pasta in front of You've Been Framed.
Not too difficult!

But a dd of 23 days old? Ahhhh, how very sweet
Love every minute

Abbylee · 11/01/2014 19:58

You will be okay. Drink plenty of water or mint tea (not caffeine!), take a deep breath and wear good breast pads. Try a few different pads if you don't have comfortable ones.

Your baby will grow up in the blink of an eye. You are terrific for working so hard, this won't last forever and it is going to be fine.

DreamingOfAFullNightsSleep · 11/01/2014 20:05

I ebf my twins with an 18 month old dd. Honestly, by 23 days there hadn't been a day I didn't sob, and my god i missed my dd. I luckily had loads of help with her, as I did struggle feeding both. But made it. 3.3 dd and 21 month old twins. You'll survive, and be proud :)

For now, I would have one large glass of wine, cake and badger your Dh to do as much as possible!

mackieglynn · 11/01/2014 20:17

I breastfed 3daughters..the first time nearly broke me,as had such healthy appetites,i opted to give the odd bottle formula when established breastfeeding,to give me time to recuperate and help baby appetite,it worked a treat and let me feed longer...in particular used to give top up formula at 6pm as that was my weakest ,most exhausting time of day,esp with other kids......

Manc451 · 11/01/2014 21:36

Just get to 6 weeks and the tide will turn, nearly there :)

bedhaven · 12/01/2014 11:12

It's probably harder to cope with DC2 than first baby as you have much more to manage. Hope someone is understanding and knows you need some support, looking after DC1 and bringing you sustenance. Accept that you need to just sit and feed, your boobs need this message from your baby and will soon up the quantity giving you some respite. Best wishes!

WillBeatJanuaryBlues · 12/01/2014 11:28

It will pass as you know its just a growth spurt and once you get past these growth spurts, its so much easier to BF than faff round with sterilisers and mills of milk etc....heating it up! I FF first time, and BF second time, its been much easier.

Original poster

elsiewoo · 12/01/2014 14:36

Wow so many replies - thank you all

I do know it will get easier I fed DS for 12 months in the end, but as he was my only child I was able to give over everything to the feeding.

Onwards and upwards!

OP posts:

neontetra · 12/01/2014 18:23

Another one here just to say well done so far, and yes, as you know, does get better. My nearly 21 month dd is currently self-weaning, and I am so sad about the loss of our nursing relationship, but also so glad we have had it, because of health benefits in part, but mostly as it has been so lovely, and so easy after first few months. Good luck, and all power to your boobs!

Catsize · 12/01/2014 19:52

Ah yes. I was clamped to the sofa all day in the early days and DS fed every 45mins at night. I remember going away for our anniversary for a night when he was very small and he was constantly feeding 6pm-3am.
It got so much easier. Hang on in there OP.

Alizzle · 12/01/2014 23:45

firstly, well done! you are doing amazing. my first is 17months and when I look back at the 6 days he bf for it was lovely and I really wish I'd carried on and persevered. Yeah I went mental and he had a problem with his latch but if I had another I'd try again. keep on in there, keep asking for advice, the feeding frenzy isn't forever. btw I know its easy to say but just take it hour by hour. xxx

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