Newborn constantly feeding. Feel like I’m doing something wrong. Help!

[birdybirdbird]

Hi. My baby is a week old today and it’s our 2nd full day at home after a 5 day hospital stay. I had a planned c section at 39+2, then had wait for bloods as they thought he might have an infection - he didn’t - then discovered he’d dropped to much weight on day 3 so got put on a pumping and top up with formula regime. His birth weight was 8lb 12, he left hospital at very slightly over this.
I had an awful time in hospital, really wasn’t coping with the noise, busyness etc. If I’m honest I relied too much on the pumping and formula to just get out if there and failed to establish breast feeding very well whilst on the ward. On our first day home I had a bit of a meltdown and again relied too much on formula.
Today I woke up with a new resolve. Latching is going much better and I’m managing to stay calm. BUT it’s relentless. He’s had 10 short feeds (all less than 20 mins) In the last 5 hours. He frequently falls asleep at the breast, so the feed ends, then wakes up minutes later and is still hungry.
He’s had one ‘proper’ sleep but it was only for an hour today. He’s had no pooey nappies apart from the one we woke up with (which was huge to be fair) and only 2 wet nappies. My nipples are sore but thankfully not bleeding yet. My left breast has a lump which I’ve been trying to massage out and using a hot flannel on.
I’m just exhausted. I desperately want a sleep but constantly have a baby attached to me. Surely he needs a sleep at some point?! Is this normal?! Any tips? Hospital were rubbish at helping me establish feeding and I feel like I’m clueless.

That was long. Sorry! Just to add that my pumping output seems low?? I’m getting 30 ml in the pot after 15/20 mins on both breasts.

The constant feeding is normal, yes. Call the breastfeeding helpline? It's 0300 100 0212.

I mix fed dc1 from birth but did go on to drop all formula bottles after a while, you haven't ruined your chances if you really want to breastfeed.

Pumping isn't a sign of how much you have, baby will get way more out than a pump!

Constant feeding is very normal at this stage. Your baby will feed frequently in the first few weeks to help build your supply and the fact your baby has gained weight at this stage is brilliant! Keep feeding on demand, make sure everyone who visits is doing useful things to help you. In a week or 2 you should be in a better place.
That said if you are unhappy and struggling there is no shame in formula. It is a brill invention and a perfectly reasonable way of feeding your baby. Fwiw I am currently breastfeeding my second baby but both had formula at various points and I have no shame in it.

Also if you need more practical support call the breastfeeding helpline above or your health visitor

DD was pretty much constantly attached to my boobs for the first 2-3 months at least. Milk supply was fine, she was growing like a weed, but just really REALLY didn't want to be off the boobs for more than about half and hour to an hour. In retrospect I think she was mainly comfort feeding. At about three months she then decided that there were more interesting things to do and I almost had to force her to concentrate on her feeds.

I'd just watch if your little one has plenty of wet and dirty nappies, maybe get the latch checked. If all seems ok and baby is putting on weight then just park yourself on the sofa with Netflix and cookies and wait until the phase is over.

I still remember how exhausted and trapped I felt and hope you cope a bit better. I promise it won't last!

It's completely normal, especially if you've topped up so far - at some point be it day 1 or day 7 you have to do long stints of feeding to bring your milk in and build your supply. You will get a sleep at some point, it will get better if you can get through this!

It is exhausting - is your DP with you? Their job is to keep you fed/watered/give you a break between feeds to rest. Get lots of chocolates and some TV to binge watch, oh and lots and lots of drinks. Good luck!

Completely normal, and congratulations on your little one. This is why you shouldn’t have to be doing anything else, so hopefully someone is looking after you?

Thanks everyone. My husband is at home with me (for 2 months!) and he has been amazing. I just feel very guilty that I’m doing literally nothing other than sitting here.
I do want to drop the formula. Would it be better to do this cold turkey or gradually reduce. I will admit I have given a tiny bit today (30mls alongside some expressed milk) as I just wanted a tamest. It didn’t even work to make him chill out for 10 mins/go to sleep so feeling even more annoyed with myself for cracking!

It's very very normal. That's why new mothers talk about never getting anything done, not even having time to wash their face (and non parents wonder how on earth you can't have time to wash your face)! It does get much better though, honestly. Take advantage of all the sofa time while you can - scarily you will be unable to sit down for a second due to a crawling baby getting into everything (even scarier, this will be within weeks, not years, if you think about it!)

Very, very, very normal. What he is doing will help build your supply, can you take to your bed/sofa, skin-to-skin with him and allow him to feed as often as he likes?

Completely normal! Newborns have tiny tiny tummies, milk is not just food, it's comfort, warmth, the feeling of being nestled up against you. Baby is building your supply by putting in an 'order' to your boobs to tell them to make more.

Make sure baby has a really big mouthful of the breast and areola not just the nipple. Lots of useful YouTube videos out there with advice for latching. National breastfeeding helpline also v helpful

The amount you can express is in no way indicative of how much baby getting, rely on number of wet nappies, whether baby seems happy healthy and alert. Your NHS postnatal boomlet should have a useful guide of how many dirty/wet nappies to expect in a certain period. I struggle to get much at all with a pump and this sees to be the case for a lot of women, babies are a lot more efficient at emptying the breast than a breastpump!

Basically feed feed and feed again!

Worth reading up in safe co-sleeping so you can lie down in bed and sleep/doze whilst baby is feeding. Only thing that kept my sanity whilst both of mine were tiny, and TIL about 9mo old tbh.

I gradually reduced formula over a week or so. It's hard but doable if that's what you really want.

And give yourself a break!x

This is why I gave up breastfeeding. I couldn’t handle how intense it was. I wished I could but it was too much for me and made me very depressed and upset. I guess I’m posting just to say I understand how tough it is. I was in a situation very like you, mixing formula milk, breast and pumped milk. Good on you for persisting. It sounds like you are doing a great job and don’t be too hard on yourself if you give formula. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you.