Argh cluster feeding

[BlessedMango]

My boy is nearly three weeks old and mainly breastfed and NEVER STOPS EATING. Midwives reassure me he is getting milk (weight gain, dirty nappies etc) but he’s so frustrated a lot of the time!
He has a tongue tie (clinic appt next week for that) and we struggle to get a decent latch, and my nipples are cracked and bleeding and painful.
Today he’s been feeding since 12 and it’s now gone nine, with about three half hour breaks and some shorter breaks for nappy changes. He was feeding well but for the last hour he’s been super frustrated - pulling himself off the boob ( without breaking the seal, so it’s super painful) then crying and chewing his hands because he’s so desperate to eat, latching on, pulling himself off, crying...
I’m at my wits end. Am I hurting him? Is he starving? Will we both go mad?

Apologies if this is incoherent - lack of sleep, lack of sanity!

Is he defo wanting to feed? Or is it that he can smell your milk and wants comfort? Could a dummy help?

You are doing a fab job. Both my kids went through the textbook 3, 6 and 12 week feeding frenzy. I think it is just before a major growth spurt so baby suckles to build up your milk supply. During these times, my babies screamed like crazy if they were unlatched at any point, even while I had a toilet break. They settle after and nap quite a lot for a day.

It doesn’t help with soreness though. My youngest had tongue tie which was sorted at 8weeks. With both kids, I used nipple shields for a time and that didn’t stop the soreness but may have helped a bit. Have you tried Lansinoh?

Have faith that the wet and dirty nappies show your baby is fed well but that he may well be just trying to build your supply up for the next phase of growth. Have you got someone to bring you snacks and drinks while you have cuddles with your boy on the sofa in front of a box set?

YouBoggleMyMind has a good point. Sounds (to me) like there is a good chance it is growth spurt related but my eldest went through a later stage where she just wanted to be latched on but didn’t want to feed. In the end, we gave her a dummy as I couldn’t deal with that level of sleep deprivation. All was fine.

Is your boy actively trying to feed do you think or just wanting to be connected?

Equally fpg100 has a good point in that it is also likely to be a growth spurt and cluster feeding is boosting your supply. Equally echo that you're doing a fab job 😊

Same here but with 2wo twins... it's tough going at times! Going to practise introducing soother tomorrow in the hope that I will get even a small break.

You poor thing! If its any help the phrase "cluster feeding" is a fairly new "name"!!!! Years ago this wouldn't have been the norm. Obviously you are trying your best, but you have to do what is best for both of you. Maybe formula feed occasionally to give you a break. xxx

He went on til my husband gave him a respite formula feed just after 11 - drank 150 ml of formula and now is screaming for more. Husband is adamant that we must leave him to cry himself to sleep now.

I wouldn't leave baby to cry at 3 weeks old. I know it's hard but he's doing all the normal things a new born will do. You're doing well and there's no harm in a top up feed of formula to give you a bit of a rest. Did you manage to try or get a dummy to help? Hugs to you x

Thanks all! He was a lot better today during the day, and at his weigh-in he showed he really has been growing! But this evening it started again, respite formula feed didn’t touch the sides, and I’m going to be awake all night with him by the looks of it. Will try dummy tomorrow.

If he is downing formula, could you not offer a larger feed?