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Infant feeding

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

Original poster

Night Feeders Part 5. Calling all women who find themselves feeding when they'd rather be sleeping!!

770 replies

Writerwannabe83 · 01/10/2014 21:07

This is a thread for anyone who wants support when things seem tough - especially for the women whose babies don't like sleep!!

We'll do the usual introductions:

I'm a first time mom to my 6 month old, EBF son. It's been a rocky few months, lots of ups and downs but we've finally reached a point where he's asleep by 7.30pm and only waking once during the night.

He very rarely naps in the day - and when he does it's only when he's in the car or his pushchair. It's very frustrating!!

And the last little thing about us is that we have just started the weaning journey - it's fun but messy!!

OP posts:
squizita · 28/10/2014 03:55

...and a nappy change. Grin

AuntieMaggie · 28/10/2014 04:45

I'm a bad mummy cos I never change ds's nappy at night unless he poos - he just gets too hyper and then it takes ages for him to go back to sleep

OliviaRinHerts · 28/10/2014 05:39

I don't normally do nappies in the night either (unless it is poo or soaked through )

We were up for a feed at 130am and again just now ( this is a bad night as normally it is just one feed at around 3am-lol!) so I changed his nappy and hope he may now last until 9am!!

I'm pleased the hourly/2 hourly feeds are finished and count myself lucky he is starting to go much longer!

Hope everyone had a good night !

splendide · 29/10/2014 05:17

Hello is anyone up?

My PFB is 2 days old - this is his third night. I think I'm going to go crazy. He's fed for about 10 minutes only but every hour or more since about 9. He sucks for 10 then just sleeps latched on goes apeshit if I try to move him then we start again.

Is this normal? Is my milk inadequate? Why the crappy short feeds?!

MrsS28 · 29/10/2014 05:23

Yep it's normal unfortunately splendide! Could you try getting a couple of hours sleep while your hubby / partner has baby? If he/she can't smell you they might be ok without a feed for a little longer xx

splendide · 29/10/2014 05:31

No he seems to just scream if I pass him over. Ok it's normal at least I guess! I must sound like such an idiot, I know and it's not like I expected to get loads of sleep but this is absolutely no sleep at all. I'll just keep cracking on I guess. Maybe I'll get some in the day tomorrow.

mrsmugoo · 29/10/2014 06:37

Solendide - sounds normal to me, but only because there is basically no normal at that age, anything goes.

Is your milk in yet? Your baby is probably suckling to stimulate and bring your milk in.

I know it's exhausting but plan on doing nothing else other than feeding (and sleeping while you can) for about a month!

Graterater · 29/10/2014 06:51

Ah just read another thread with people fretting about three month old sleeping feeding twice in the night. I thought that was pretty good going!

Graterater · 29/10/2014 06:55

PS poor you Splendide. There is light at the end of the tunnel! My first bsby was like that and I survived (just). You may well find as well that as soon as BF is established he will go much longer.

OliviaRinHerts · 29/10/2014 07:00

Splendide

Hello! We've all been there and you are not an idiot. Nothing prepares you for a newborn and I was the same. I thought I would get a little sleep but no... Hourly feeds are normal. Your baby is learning And will get tired so will fall asleep. ( his tummy is tiny so will feed often). You can try blowing on his cheek (or stroking) to try to get him to stir and feed for longer. Your milk is fine - baby is just learning how to suck. In a few weeks it will feel like a tickle and he will finding the nipple all by himself

my ds is ten weeks now but as mrs mugoo says there is no normal

You need to do nothing but feed and look after yourself (eat well and drink lots). Your baby (like mine) will hate being away from human contact ( he will still be hearing your heart and wanting warmth) but hopefully he will cuddle against DH/DP to give you a break.

The first few weeks will pass and things will improve. Honestly!

splendide · 29/10/2014 07:07

Thanks all I'm glad I'm not just doing it completely wrong. Milk is not in yet so I guess he's frustrated. Haven't had a wet nappy since 1am so he definitely needs more than he's getting from me :(

He's currently been on about 20 of quite busy sucking. I'm following your advice and trying to keep him awake.

OliviaRinHerts · 29/10/2014 07:13

He will be getting the colostrum now I think (much thicker) from you so will be getting everything he needs so don't worry. You should be visited by health visitor/midwife soon so raise any concerns but I'm sure he will be fine.

mrsmugoo · 29/10/2014 07:17

Constant feeding at that early stage isn't being unsatisfied or frustrated it's purely suckling for comfort and to stimulate the milk. Hang in in there and await Pamela Anderson juggernaut boobs any day! (And the mega hormone overload!!)

splendide · 29/10/2014 07:21

Yes someone is hopefully seeing me today so I'll speak to them about it. thanks again.

OliviaRinHerts · 29/10/2014 07:47

Oh yeah. The mega hormone overload. I think I cried every day for the first two weeks!

AuntieMaggie · 29/10/2014 07:50

splendide you're doing a great job and I agree with others advice. try to give him to someone else for a bit if you can - he may cry for a bit but hopefully will then fall asleep. you can try putting a muslin in your top for the other person to wear so he still smells you and skin to skin with baby's head on chest will also help comfort him. If he needs something to suck on a clean tip of little finger might be enough.

TeamEponine · 29/10/2014 08:08

Splendide, it does sound like baby is getting your milk to come in. Mine was exactly the same. I took fenugreek to help establish my supply, so that might be worth a try.

Since baby has had her pavlik harness fitted we've gone from 3-4 hours between feeds at night to 1.5-2 hours between feeds. Feels like a huge step backwards and sleep deprivation is back Sad Six weeks of this to go through. Really hope she gets used to the harness soon and starts sleeping better at night!

cookielove · 29/10/2014 08:57

Oh no team I hope she settles soon and just takes a couple days to re adjust.

squizita · 29/10/2014 18:56

Awake Splendide it's tough but it's normal.

What's annoying Me is that at 5 1/2 weeks mine has suddenly gone back to that ... growth spurt = so hungry she doesn't sleep si much = very very grouchy bubba! Ah the joys. Rang my mum for moral support she said it's the way it is !! Well at least there's nowt wrong with her infacol and cuddles can't fix. Just need to brace myself for tiredness.

splendide · 30/10/2014 04:01

Well he's nearly at birth weight on day 3 despite me making a terrible start to feeding so that reassured me a bit. Had a similar night tonight except my milk has come in just about so he's swallowing more and I'm crying less!

OliviaRinHerts · 30/10/2014 06:21

Splendide - don't be too hard on yourself. you haven't made a terrible start! You've given him a Great start with the colostrum and now you are Breastfeeding things will get easier). Honestly, you are doing brilliantly.well done

AuntieMaggie · 30/10/2014 09:53

I agree with olivia - you've made a great start and your experience for the first few days is the same for everyone they just don't tell you that in antenatal classes! in fact my dd had a couple of formula feeds in the first few days because of problems we were having and now he's 4 months and I'm still feeding him. And if he's back near birth weight already then he was getting plenty of colostrum from you which will give him a really healthy start. So give yourself a hug and try to enjoy it

splendide · 30/10/2014 17:40

Thank you that's honestly really nice to hear. I feel permanently on the edge of a panicky freak out about the whole thing. I get to now (dark!) and I start getting sort of dread about getting through the night. I know it's silly but it makes me feel a little better to write it down

didiimaginethis · 30/10/2014 18:06

Just found this thread, I could have been on all night last night!
DS2 is 5 weeks old and ebf, he's not great overnight. Last night he went 8.30-12.00, then awake at 2.00, 3.00, 4.30 (when he finally came into bed with me).
He really struggles with wind, I keep him upright for 20 mins after feeds but when he lies down he splutters/makes choking noises, sounds in pain and does little sick ups. I've elevated the head of his crib but now he's sliding down and ending up in a heap at the bottom!
Anyone have good advice? I seem to have forgotten everything from DS1!

OliviaRinHerts · 30/10/2014 19:16

Splendide. - I used to dread the nights too ( hourly feeds) but just know things will get better (my ds now only wakes once during the night or twice on a bad night. - he is ten weeks) . Trust me - the first few weeks will pass so quickly even though it doesn't seem like it now. I almost wish I could go back to those first weeks knowing what I know now - maybe I wouldn't be so terrified.