how long do growth spurts last? Tired...

[Ilovemyboy]

My DS (12wks) has been waking frequently in the night for the last week or so.

He goes 2.5-3hrs between feeds during the day which I am fine with as we have a little routine going. Then at night he is waking every 2 hrs or so.

Last night he went down at 8.30pm and slept until I gave him a dream feed at 11 (this is v.good I know). But then he woke at 12.30, 2.30, 4.30, 6.30 then we finally got up at 8.30.

I really want to exclusively breastfeed him until he is 6mths old and I am really enjoying breastfeed. It's just when I feel this tired I start thinking that maybe I am doing something wrong as he is obviously not full up enough.

Bumping this for you so that someone more qualified will see it but would say that at week 11 I was ready to give up solely BF as DD2 was permanently feeding. Then a couple of weeks later everything fell into place and got much easier. She is now 7.5 months and is weaned but I still BF her when she needs it which is not that often. Stick with it, you are doing a grand job and it will get better.

We had this at 12 weeks. It lasted a couple of weeks IIRC. Just in time for the next spurt!!! FF babies get them too, you know - I know that's not what MILs or HVs or best friends witha baby will tell you, but it's true! I know at least one woman who switched to formula in order to get her DD to sleep better, and it didn't work - she was devastated when her supply dried up and she still had a non-sleeping baby. And neither a bottle of formula or weaning worked for us. I eventually realised that some babies are good sleepers, and some not so much! (To make you feel better, I also have a friend whose baby slept like a dream up until she was 12 weeks. She hasn't slept through since and she is now 20 months old.)

Can't be any help I am afraid, just to say I am going through exactly the same thing. My dd is also 12 weeks and 2 nights ago she went from 3/4 hours at night (even the occasional 7) and has reverted to 2 hours. It is a killer and just as I thought nights were getting ok. Good luck!

Usually last around 5-7days, although every baby is different. Why not try the oat cookie recipe i have posted for an extra boost of milk, this may help.

No Bake choc cookies

2 cups sugar 1/2 cup cocoa
1/2 cup milk 1 stick butter

Boil the above ingredients for 2 minutes, remove from heat and mix the below ingredients in. Spoon onto wax paper and allow to cool.

1/2 cup peanut butter (if wished or replace with raisins)
3 cups of oats initially, add extra oats until mixture is very stiff
1 TSP vanilla

Giant Oatmeal cookies

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

1 cup flour 1 1/2 cups oatmeal
1 TSP cinnamon 1/2 TSP baking powder
1/2 TSP baking soda dash of salt
1/2 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup applesauce 1 egg
2 TBSP butter 1 TSP vanilla extract
1/2 cup raisins* optional- chopped walnuts

Mix first 6 dry ingredients and set aside. Blend sugar, applesauce, butter, egg and vanilla until well mixed. Add remaining ingredients, drop by mounds of dough ( 3 TBSP each) about 2" apart on a greased baking sheet. Flatten. Bake 10-15 minutes until lightly brown around the edges. Cool on a wire rack.

*If you can find them, Sun Maid makes baking raisins in a pouch, they are wet and moist and superior for baking

Lactogenic Foods and Herbs

Just wanted to add that 3-4 months is the most frustrating that I found BFing. Not only do they have two HUGE growthspurts very close together but they are much more aware of the world around them and can become unsettled as well.

Hi
Similar story - My dd seems to have had a permanent growth spurt! I think when they say they last a day or two you have to take it with a pinch of salt. I went through thinking my milk had dried up, or that I should suppliment her with formula as I thought she was starving!

I spoke to a very helpful BF specialist HV (don't all faint there are a few good ones around!) and it really helped.

I soon caught up and things would settle down a bit so bear with it, and remember your long term goal!

She is nearly 6 months now and still gets the odd really hungry day.
HTH