Really struggling

[NewMum1303]

Hi everyone. My little boy is 4 weeks old on Thursday and I feel like I’m no longer coping with feeding. Breastfeeding started out amazingly, ive never had any pain despite a tongue tie (which has been snipped) and he has always been really easy to latch. However since my partner has gone back to work two weeks ago I feel so trapped. I can’t do anything round the house and my poor 7 year old is completely neglected and left to play on the PlayStation most of the time as I’m stuck to the sofa feeding.
I tried to express yesterday but baby refused the bottle completely even when his dad tried he wouldn’t take it. Today he has fed every 1-2 hours and won’t be put down without screaming and wanting feeding again. I know this is normal but it’s making me miserable! I can’t shower eat or spend time with my other son at all.

Sorry it’s a long one I just don’t know what to do, I don’t want to give up but I am so tired and just want my partner to be able to take him for a few hours here and there without me being on hand to breastfeed.

I feel you pain - my other child is only 2! It does ease off and the gaps between feeds gets longer .....is there anywhere he will sleep at home? Pushchair or sling?

I’ve got a close caboo but every time I try him in it he wakes up
He will sleep in the pram if it’s moving... some days he will sleep for an hour in his bouncy chair but days like today he screamed 2 minutes after being put down. When do the gaps get bigger do you think?

Baby is still young, things WILL get better x

Hello, I have the same age gap. It is hard, but I found explaining to my older one that the baby just needs me so much at the moment, and it won't be long before we can do stuff together,helped. Giving them a few jobs, like fetching nappies etc, pushing the pram, gives them a bit of involvement too. Is it school holidays too? Are there any friends you can ask to invite your older one out? I was very hesitant to ask but found other mums so helpful (they just wanted cuddles with the baby! So it was a good swap). Also, my husband goes to work super early, he's in for 7.30, and home for 4.30 which we've found helps so much, the older one gets a good few hours of dad time before bed. And PlayStation with you chatting/watching is probably actually his idea of heaven! If it's Minecraft, ask him about redstone :-) It won't last long, I promise.

Thank you neighneigh. It’s so nice to know I’m not alone feeling like this! He’s lovely with his new brother and spent 15 mins entertaining him in the bouncy chair today so I could quickly rustle up some dinner for us bless him! Yes it’s school holidays, I think you’re right that I should ask some of his friends mums for help, a few hours out the house would be ace for him.
Unfortunately my partner works nights, 4 in 4 off so for the 4 days he’s in work I’m practically alone 24/7 which is what I’m finding really hard :( xx

That must be really tough with 2 kids and feeling very alone. Is there anyone else that come come over even 1 day in the 4 to support you? Otherwise why not have movie time with your eldest so you can spend time together even when you're stuck on the sofa feeding?

sending you some amd op

This is the really hard bit and then it will get easier and easier. In around two or three weeks I would think you would find things starting to move towards being a bit more predictable and as I’m sure you remember in a month from now things will feel very different