45 minute feeds??

[Firstimemummy15]

What's people's advice on mixing boob and bottle at three weeks? My daughter was feeding practical every 45 minutes yesterday and seems to want the same today - as well as being tired I am extremely sore! (Selfish I know!). We tried cup feeding her some expressed milk yesterday but she wouldn't take it. I was considering syringe feeing her a bit of top up formula milk or maybe a bottle but I don't want to confuse her and have her refuse the boob - I'm guessing it's a growth spurt and there are no issues with her putting on weight! ??

At three weeks, she's still establishing a feeding pattern, and it's totally normal for her to be cluster feeding. Is she feeding for a long period of time or is it more little and often? Is her latch okay? The fact you are sore suggests to me that there may be a latching issue or that she's using you as a dummy for comfort and not actually feeding from you at all. Why not ring your HV or the maternity unit for some advice if it's really bogging you down? Otherwise, I'm sorry to say that's just life with such a little baby! It does get better, I promise!

Do get real life help - it'll help you to maybe revise your expectations a bit , and adjust your attachment so it is comfortable for you.

Syringe feeding and expressing and topping up with formula and attempts at cup feeding - ayyyyyyyy! What hard work!

Honestly, going with the flow is easier than this, as long as you are not sore, of course.

I used nipple shields for a while, they really helped me.

I had exactly the same thing with my daughter. She fed almost constantly for the first month (one hour on/one hour off...non-stop, day and night...) It was exhausting. At 6 weeks I introduced one bottle per day, and then managed to combine breast and bottle, which worked quite well until 5 months. She took both quite happily and didn't seem confused, so it definitely is possible to combine feed, and if it gives you a much-needed rest, you'll feel better able to cope :)