1 month old very frequent bf

[Modestandatinybitsexy]

I'm struggling with breastfeeding as my baby seems so hungry!

He feeds every half an hour, almost all day! He woke up at 3am last night and fed almost continuously until 6am. I'm scared to cosleep so I'm awake for most of the night. The only solid breaks I get are at 6am and late evening when he gets a bottle from my husband. I'd like this to be expressed milk but when I'm awake I'm feeding him so I have no chance to express!

He seems satisfied and falls asleep at the breast after approx 20 mins but if I try to put him down he wakes up hungry again.

I don't think there's a problem with my supply, after a two hour break from feeding my boobs are very full.

I do have thrush which I'm getting treatment for today - could this cause the constant feeding? I thought babies were supposed to go about 2 hours and by month go even longer between feeds. At the moment I'm feeding him every half an hour! Help!

Sorry it's so long! Thanks for reading

I mean, honestly, 18 times between 3am-6pm in one day can't be normal?!

And he's not done, he'll keep going until I have to hand him to dh and get some sleep.

Please, any advice is appreciated!!

You poor thing Modest I read your post earlier, but wasn't sure how helpful I could be. I left this window open in case no one else replied.

In my opinion, a 1 month old should be able to go 2 hours, but I'm no expert.

Is it possible that he's spending short bursts breastfeeding and so only getting foremilk and not hindmilk? Foremilk is thirst-quenching, hindmilk is filling.

It could also be he's feeding for comfort / because he associates your smell with that.

I think I would be at my wits end in your position, so I am full of admiration with how calm you're sounding.

So, as I've said, I'm no expert, but here's what (I think) I would do in your position.

(All this is assuming that the bottle your husband gives him is formula and you're ok with formula.)

The issue with breastfeeding is that you don't know how much they've had. So when you say "He seems satisfied and falls asleep at the breast after approx 20 mins but if I try to put him down he wakes up hungry again" he may not be hungry. To reassure myself, I would be giving him a formula bottle in the morning - that way I know he's had sufficient. If he then cries only 20 minutes later it must be something else. This would also give you some milk to express (I'm fairly sure you don't have to have to dump, it even if the thrush isn't cleared up, but do check). This also has the added advantage that he will stop solely associating your smell with breastfeeding (and possibly comfort feeding).

It's so easy to stick a nipple into a crying mouth, but it's not a good habit. I would be resisting the temptation as long as possible through bouncing, swinging, dummies, etc. Some friends of mine had a crying LO all evening. The only way to keep her quiet was to bounce on a fitness ball. They now have magnificent core muscles.....

I would also be using an app to time between feeds and go for little wins - every 5 min extra between feeding is a win .

Have you checked his latch with your HV and have you considered possible tounge tie?

Make sure your LO is also treated for thrush, otherwise he will pass it back to you....

Hope that's helpful. Sorry I can't give you anything more definite.

Also, Kelly Mum is a really useful website. (kellymom.com/)

I just found this on it which may reassure you: "Remember that nursing is not just about food – it’s also warmth, closeness, reassurance, comfort, healing, love… Nursing has been shown to reduce stress and pain in baby, too. If you’re feeling that baby shouldn’t be hungry again so soon – remember that it’s sometimes Mom that baby needs just as much as the milk."

Modest, it's so normal for the early days, but so hard! It's not just for hunger - being attached to the boob is comfort and reassurance for him. As long as you're getting enough wet and dirty nappies he's getting enough milk. Have you tried a dummy? Sometimes babies need a bit of persuasion as they're not as nice as warm squishy boobs, but may stop him using you as a dummy.

Have you tried stimulating him when he nods off to check if he's still hungry? Some babies fall asleep at the breast, but they're not really full, so wake again after a short time for more.
Give it a try - you've nothing to lose!

My DS3 fed every 60-90 mins day and night for 6months . Probably not what you want to hear. We co slept. Could you practice doing that do you think?
I knew he wasn't always hungry, although he was nearly 11lbs at birth, it's a comfort thing. They love to be near you. I mean DS3 used to literally grab my boob at night with both hands and just stuff his face right into it .
I fed him for 14 months and he was still doing night feeds then.
It's hard but so worth it.
Sorry, I'm not much help, I just gave myself up to it.

He is nearly 5yo now and a great sleeper btw!

What has weight gain been like?
Has he been checked for tongue tie by a tie specialist?

Assuming everything else is OK.... both my babies fed constantly for first 2 months. They gradually started to space feeds. The tummies are small and breast milk is digested easily which means until they can take larger feeds they will wake more frequently to feed. This is also a good way to get supply established. They also like to be close to mummy for comfort. Hearing heartbeat etc, when they get put down they wake because they no longer have the connection to mum. So on the plus side it is likely that this is normal but that doesn't mean it isn't so hard to get through, it does get easier, in the mean time things that may help....

1. A carrier to carry baby round so they can sleep close to you.
2. Daddy or family member taking baby for a walk in a pram or carrier after a feed. Use this time to sleep or shower or sleep.asleep straight after nursing will give you a deeper better quality of rest. Something to do with the hormones you release during nursing.
3. Forget housework etc.

4, set up a comfy nursing area with plenty 9f food drink TV remote, box sets etc and enjoy sitting on your bum knowing you are doing the most important job in the world providing your baby either love, comfort and nutrients

1. Research safe Co sleeping and see if it would work for you. Consider trying a dummy if you are happy to try
2. Look at your beautiful baby and remember that this stage is hard but will last just a blink of an eye and when we look back with our rose tinted glasses on we won't clearly remember the tiredness but we will remember the cuddles and closeness we shared.

X

I just wanted to say thanks for everyone's advice.

We went to a breastfeeding clinic and he has a tongue tie. The osteopath said his neck muscles are also quite tight but we're having the tt snipped and see if there's improvement.

I feel quite bad as the specialist said there's a lot of sucking but not much swallowing going on and it seems obvious now although the previous lactation specialist said it was fine.