4 day old DS and struggling feeding

[Aliveinwanderland]

DS is 4 days old (well 5 I guess now as it's after midnight). We are breastfeeding but I'm struggling now and don't know what to do.

We saw a feeding counsellor at day 2 who said his latch was good and gave some general advice about holds. She is coming back next week on what will be day 8.

During the day DS will feed every 2 hours and will fall asleep on the breast. Once asleep he is able to be passed to other people for cuddles but difficult to put down anywhere. Feeding is uncomfortable but not overly painful for me.

However at night it's a totally different story. He wants to feed constantly. He would literally spend the whole night sucking on me and I'm so sore. He will fall asleep feeding like in the day but cannot be moved or passed to anyone else or he will stir and demand feeding again. Feeding him is incredibly painful and I can't sleep at all over night because of being unable to put him down.

He hasn't poo'd in 24 hours so need to ring the midwife in the morning for some advice. I feel like I'm failing him. I really want to be able to breastfeed him but I just can't stand the pain at night time with it.

I've only fed in public once! It was at a busy wedding where I could hide away easily and dp sat right in front of me... Not suggesting you do the same but I time it so if I'm going out I feed him and then leave and plan to be back in 3/4 by his next feed!

Hi op just wanted to say well done.

My dd3 is 14 days and in day 4 we went in to formula as I was just too sore and she had took the skin of my nipple. She didn't havebe great latch due to a slight tongue tie. I felt hidious about though as if I was poisoning her and felt I was really letting her down do I understand that feeling of wanting to breast feed.

Don't beat yourself up over it though if you give formula a bash. My health visitor and midwives were very supportive and didn't judge at all, they were just happy we were happy.

I meant to say I'm back 3/4 hours in time for his next feed

Been trying to put him down in the crib since 8pm and we've had screaming all evening. He feeds, falls asleep on me, as soon as I put him down he wakes and screams for the next hour until it's feed time again.

I don't understand what I'm doing wrong.

I've questioned everything so far and I just can't see to get anything right. I love him so much already but I'm so miserable and anxious about everything.

You're not doing anything wrong! I know it's hard to believe but you have to trust him - if he's screaming he's probably still hungry so don't try to string it out until 'feed time' just feed him on demand. I know it's exhausting but think of these early days as him putting in his order for the future. I tried to stretch DS between feeds and it was awful - by the time DD arrived I had read loads more and was more confident in my body's ability to feed her so long as I was led by her cues.

Eat lots of whatever you fancy, have a huge bowl of porridge every morning, at least a pint of water every feed and just feed, feed, feed.

Definitely chase the breastfeeding visitor - and maybe look up some support groups or La Leche League in your area - physical support will make a real difference so track it down.

Keep going you're doing really really well.

DD did exactly the same - cluster fed from 5/6pm until 1/2am - for about 10 days I think. It should have been torture but I knew it wouldn't last forever and was a really good investment of time for my future supply etc. She started sleeping for a 4 HR block after the mammoth sessions which helped to keep me sane so who knows maybe the same pattern will emerge for you,

My DS would only sleep on someone for the first (lot of) months, so l slept upright with him on my chest all night. Any kind of sleep is better than none. As to cluster feeding, don't worry it doesn't last forever and while it might feel as if they've gone bananas for a while, they're just ordering in the milk. I watched a LOT of DVD's. Don't worry, it'll be fine

We've just woken up for feed after a 3 hour sleep on me in bed! Little sod will sleep with me, just not in the crib!

I'm gonna end up having to resolve to the fact that we are co sleepers- despite always saying I would never share a bed!

If co sleeping works for you then go for it. Look online at safe ways to do it and set your bed up :) you'll find that a lot of what you said you would/wouldn't do goes out the window! Just do what it takes to get you through the day. You're doing a great job.

How are things now OP, easier I hope?