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Infant feeding

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

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Original poster

sick of BFing need help had enough!!

18 replies

chintzy · 21/11/2006 17:00

right - have 8wk old baby, had been doing just fine, into nice routine of feeding every 3hrs or so, settled in between. Had to leave for 3 days last week for unavoidable reasons so fed EBM during time I wasn't there (BF morning/evening and during night) Managed to express 3 x day whilst away 4oz each time (about the amount babe would have been taking) so hoped that supply would be ok.
However, it just has all gone wrong. Wants to feed all the time, boobs feel empty, is just sucking rather than feeding, I am knackered, baby is fed up... I still have plenty of milk, but he is just not taking a big feed and feeling satisfied and because he feeds all afternoon there is nothing left for the evening so he doesn't go to bed with a full tum and settle. Tried co sleeping for part of night to boost supply but I am just petrified that he will die during the night and I will blame myself for ever (irrational I know). Also cos is just sucking away is swallowing loads of air and therefore becoming really windy which upsets him no end.
At my wits end. Please help...

OP posts:

Wisp · 21/11/2006 17:04

I found with breastfeeding my 3 DC, that they went through growth spurts at around 8-12 weeks, and were constantly sucking. You will supply more as the demand increases, it's just sticking with it.
I was told by a midwife that you never actually run out of milk, they are always getting something out, even if you feel empty.
Eat and drink well, take as much rest as you can, and all the best with it- it will get better

PinkTinsel · 21/11/2006 17:09

agree with wisp, 8 weeks is a pretty standard growth spurt stage. stick with it and things should calm down in a day or two

CantWaitForTheSnow · 21/11/2006 17:18

Agree with Wisp. Don't worry about there being no milk - it doesn't work like that. Mine went through an unsettled stage like that too. Just keep going with it, it does get easier.

There has been a recent thread about co-sleeping. Read it as it will help to reasure yourself.

Waswondering · 21/11/2006 17:20

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SenoraPostrophe · 21/11/2006 17:22

8 weeks is also around the time they start to be able to force themsleves to stay awake. ds is doing this too and I find the best way to make him settle is to take him for a walk (I don't do this every time he whinges obviously, but after the 8th mini feed or thereabouts). I worried when ds1 did this, but I'm used to it now. and I have discovered from the amount that ds2 sicks up that they can eat more in 5 mins than you'd think!

Original poster

chintzy · 21/11/2006 17:32

thanks all, think I am just generally feeling fed up. He is either asleep (in car/buggy/feeding) or screaming or feeding with very short happy periods of lying in baby gym.
BFing induces fast let down (from all the sucking) so he then gulps and gulps and gets upset and has a tummy full of wind that won't come up so is farted out hours later to more screaming. I don't seem to be able to settle him without putting him to the breast which doesn't exactly make me feel great as a mum and is causing a vicious circle. Just tired and fed up and wishing my bloody husband would get home and help me...

OP posts:

thepoppy · 21/11/2006 17:43

Hi chintzy, I really feel for you, was exactly the same with DS, but growth spurts come and go and everything settles afterwards, you're doing so well! And you shouldn't think bad about youself for settling him with your breast, I think of it as a great gift instead. As for co-sleeping, just go with it, at 8 weeks he's big enough to make a fuss and overlaying is sooooooo rare!

SenoraPostrophe · 21/11/2006 17:44

that sounds like colic

have you tried lying him on his back and lifting his legs? and massaging his tummy? and drinking fennel tea (you drinking it, that is)? dd had colic and at least one of those things worked a bit, although I don't really know which. my cutting down on dairy also seemed to help.

thepoppy · 21/11/2006 17:47

oh also are you certain that there's not something else that's wrong? DS had inguinal hernias that were making him fussy, and also made him scream when farting. Dont want to worry you tho, but worth having a quick check.

SenoraPostrophe · 21/11/2006 17:58

that'll be it then. teething gel is good.

Original poster

chintzy · 21/11/2006 18:01

he hasn't got a hernia (have just checked)
am already dairy free (sob...could REALLY use some chocolate right now)

thanks for the support, it is making me feel better!

OP posts:

thepoppy · 21/11/2006 18:06

Chintzy, what about green and blacks Maya Gold? No dairy. I had about 5 bars a week for the first few months with DS. Strange cos before being pregnant couldn't manage more than a couple of squares before feeling ill. I'm sure it's good for making milk ;) boosts your iron levels anyway :O

thepoppy · 21/11/2006 18:07

oh, glad about the hernias btw

Original poster

chintzy · 21/11/2006 18:11

just isn't the same as dairy milk tho!!

tbh my fears that he will be cows milk intolerant and we'll have a repeat of my previous child (screaming, vomiting, poor weight gain, bloody diarrhoea) is the only thing stopping me giving him a bloody bottle of formula. And I feel like a TERRIBLE mum for even thinking about it. It just goes against my whole world view - I am quite a hippy earth mother type, but it just isn't happening this time. Can three days away affect your bond this much?
I had PND after my first child and never felt like this...

OP posts:

thepoppy · 21/11/2006 18:19

PND could be different this time around. been vegan for years, so I'm used to non dairy choc, but yes, it doesn't taste the same. Can DH take a couple of days off to help you? when I get really down that really helps me. It will get easier. You're a great mum and probably feeling guilty for those 3 days away and just making yourself feel worse...
big hugs going out to you,

SenoraPostrophe · 21/11/2006 18:19

have you tried a dummy?

they can be lifesavers in this kind of scenario. that also helped dd. a lot.

dunno about the 3 days away, but screaming babies test your bond I find. can you express a bit and leave him with someone for a few hours?

Original poster

chintzy · 21/11/2006 19:42

nope - dummies are spat out in disgust...

DH off in a week and a half.

Feeling a bit better now - DS had a mammoth burp and is now (crosses fingers and toes) asleep so am going to chill out in front of tv with a big serving of lemon sorbet.

thankyou all so much

OP posts:

Papillon · 21/11/2006 19:50

awww big hug for chintzy (think that will be ok with you seeing as your an earth momma )

I know a couple of babies who have been windy and upset and so the mothers take them off the breast mid feed for a break and to see if they want to burp.

Do you have sling? I find a sling to be vital because my babies never want to be on the floor. Might give him the close mummy time he craves and get the bf abit more spaced apart.

Take care

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