8 week old non stop feeding

[stuggi01244]

Hi I don’t normally post but I’m literally at my wits end and don’t really know how to improve the situation.
My 8 week old DS feeds constantly. I read everywhere of people at their wits end with their babies going an hour between feeds. I’d LOVE an hour between feeds. We’re going as often as 20-40 mins if not constant for hours!!! I just don’t know how to space the feeds out at all. I know he’s more of a “snacker” and he does fall asleep on the breast a lot but if I take out the nipple when he’s asleep he wakes up and wants to carry on and will scream until he’s back on again. I feel completely house bound as he screams when out and about and it’s just soul destroying being stuck on the couch. I expected this for 3-6 weeks but thought it would be better by now. I do give him the odd bottle of formula and he seems so much more content but I don’t want to give up just yet but I’m not far off - I think the price of formula keeps me going longer!! Please does anyone know what I can do??

Have you had him checked for tounge tie?

Has he always been like this or is it a sudden change? Sudden change would indicate a growth spurt but if it's been like this for a while, it would indicate a milk transfer issue, such a tounge tie.

is he using you as a dummy?

Thanks for your reply. He did have tongue tie initially but he had it sorted and then checked and all seems fine. I’ve literally had all the issues you could have. Cracked nipples, mastitis, thrush, clogged ducts and blebs. Finally it doesn’t hurt but it’s just constant. I know he’s supposed to be in a developmental leap or whatever but he’s been like this pretty much since birth. I don’t think it’s my supply either as i seem to have plenty of milk but I don’t know what else would help now. I’ve just bought some new dummies but he just spits them out and screams until he’s back on the breast.

Hi Bluebell I’m pretty sure he is but how can I stop it if he won’t take an actual dummy? TIA

Are you able to see a lactation consultant?

It could be a latch/positioning issue that could mean his milk transfer isn't efficient meaning he needs to feed more frequently in order to get the calories.
A good LC will take a full history, watch him feed, etc and can normally sort issues like this quite easily. Often little adjustments to position/latch can make a massive difference even when it seems fine.

Have you tried doing breast compressions?

In terms of 'using you as a dummy' that's what babies are supposed to do. When babies use dummies they are using the dummy as a fake boob!
I'm not against dummies and they can be useful for many reasons but it does sound like a milk transfer issue if he's been like this since birth.

Hi OP. Sounds really tough! I also have a snacker and a lazy feeder (loves dozing off on me). He also refuses bottles and dummies so it's all down to me! He is 5 months now but I remember the early days as being very hard work. Honestly, I can say it didn't really improve for me until about 12 weeks when he started going longer between feeds. If you are sure he is getting all the milk he needs - plenty of wet nappies, gaining weight etc. then hang in there - it will get better! Some things I did to get me through - bought a bouncer chair with vibration settings which was the only thing he would go in without screaming. Put the baby down. If there is no active feeding going on, put down and try to distract. Ideally, give the baby to someone else and leave the room. He might cry for a couple of minutes but could end up quite happily being entertained for an hour or two! My mum did this and I thought she'd last 10 minutes max - she kept him happy for 3 hours and I had a good nap and a shower! So you never know! Keep baby awake when feeding - tickle toes, stroke back, strip off a layer. Look after yourself - eat well, rest when you can and ask for / accept help from others. Good luck with everything and I hope it goes well! Also, obviously you want to breastfeed which is fab but don't worry about formula feeding - a happy mum is the most important thing so do what's best for you!

I also have an 8 week old. No advice, just sending you support and positive vibes over the interwebs!

My little girl was exactly like this. Fed for HOURS (2+ hours, then hungry again less than an hour later...) especially in the evenings. She had no tongue tie, or any other issue that I was aware of. She refused a dummy and was totally healthy, apart from colic in the early weeks.
It was a very difficult time because I felt so trapped, and that it couldn't be normal. I remember feeling completely overwhelmed by it, and it stopped me enjoying those tiny baby weeks. But it gradually got better, and the feeds shorter. She's two now, and not a great eater at all!!!
If she has no underlying medical issue, and you wish to continue bf, try to make your surroundings comfortable, get good box sets and adjust your expectations of what normal is. I didn't do this, and I wish I had gone with the flow a bit more. But it's easier said than done when you are in the middle of it all.
Good luck, it will pass...

My eldest (now a teenager) was very similar. Although she did take to a dummy very easily - but when I tried using it to space feeds out a bit (or maybe I should say, to define where one feed ended and the next one began!), she stopped gaining any weight. In retrospect she had reflux and would almost certainly have benefitted from treatment for that.

You will cope better if you can get a proper break, whatever it takes. One alternative to a formula top-up would be to try expressing - in the morning when your supply is greatest - and getting your partner to give it as an evening feed at a time that you can go and sleep instead.

Good luck - remember that at this point it is just about survival for a bit longer.

Thank you all so much for your responses and suggestions. It’s just good to not feel so alone. When people say their little ones eat so frequently and they mean every 1-2 hours I just think what I’d give for an hours break!! I’ve spent £40 on different types of dummies to no avail. He’s definitely got plenty of wet and dirty nappies so I do think he is getting enough and it’s good to hear it will get easier with time - I just wish that time was today!! Especially as I hate wishing the weeks away. My mum is coming up on Friday for a week so maybe with some company and someone to help during the day it’ll get easier xx