Help! Breastfeeding query

[Cardiffclare88]

EBF 2.5 week old DD. Been going just fine since birth until round midnight. She’s been on my boob constantly and won’t settle. Nappy is changed and she’s winded.

Usual pattern is feed one side 10-20 min and then she dozes off and sleeps for 2 hours or so. Currently she’s been on my boob for an hour and a half! Tried switching boobs and also breaking her latch when it seems she’s dozed off (after at least 20 min!) but she wakes up and I’ll then set her in her Moses basket and she just lays the blinking until she cries for more boob.

I’ve tried hand expressing and can’t get anything from either boob, is it possible my milk’s dried up? She’s also breathing somewhat quickly when she nurses, seems like she’s desperate for food poor thing. I don’t know what to do, haven’t got any bottles or formula to try. Help please? Cxx

She’s had plenty of nap pies today so is it possible my boobs just need to refill overnight? I’m in tears not sure what to do xx

Don't panic, if she's been ok until now then it's all normal...it's called cluster feeding (no-one warns you about this). She's trying to put her order in for more milk :) the more she feeds the more milk you produce and it's very common to cluster feed at night. Expressing is not indicative of what you're supplying to her. If you're still worried tomorrow then speak to your midwife but sounds normal to me.

The more she feeds the more they will refill. It's ok, honestly. Totally normal. Your supply will settle at 6 weeks ish so she's just establishing supply.

It will be cluster feeding and is normal. Even fussing at the breast is just a way of stimulating milk production. Not being able to express is NOT a sign of no milk- your baby will always be more effective at getting milk than a pump or your hand.
Just keep offering the boob as much as she wants and eat and drink yourself too. Try to rest during the day when she sleeps- as there are hormones produced overnight which mean small babies WILL naturally want to feed more overnight. You’re doing well, dont doubt yourself.
Do try to find a local breastfeeding g group for face to face support. There is also a fb page called yummy mummies breastfeeding advice and support on FB.

Emptying the breast builds your supply. My 11w old had several nights like this early on. When he was fussy at both breasts, I put him in the sling for an hour and watched crappy Christmas films. After that it seemed like there was more milk as he would feed and fall asleep.

Thank you all , I’ve got tears in my eyes. I thought we had a cluster feed the other night but then she had a bit of milk on the sides of her mouth and would settle for at least 20-30 min between feeds. Now if I take her off, she starts rooting and gnawing her hand immediately. How long will this go on? I may need a break, almost at two hours on my boobs.

My bum and back hurt and in exhausted but scared to lie down as I don’t want to fall asleep on her

Try to let her feed as much as you can, could you set up a safe co sleeping environment so you can doze and feed at the same time? That's what me and most of my friends did. Do you have someone who can take her in a sling for a bit?

kellymom.com/parenting/nighttime/cosleeping/

I think at her worst my daughter was once at my breast for 5 hours straight... it’s like previous posters said: it’s a short phase (2-5 weeks I think?) during which your baby is “helping” you establish supply. I suggest finding something good on Netflix, and setting yourself up with some snacks and a MASSIVE jug of water. It will all settle down soon enough!

Oh you poor thing, is anyone with you that could just walk her around for half an hour or so while you have a nap/shower?

It does sound like cluster feeding and although it will be over soon it's relentless i know.

Make sure you're hydrated and eating plenty. I always found giving in to it was almost easier, keep topping up lansinoh and reign yourself to a velcro baby.

I'm sure your milk hasn't dried up! I remember well the feeling of my overused boobs being so empty they felt flat! If there is anyone with you who can take the baby for even ten minutes so that you can get a break, a warm drink or something. As long as baby is otherwise OK this kind of nursing is pretty normal.

Thank you So glad it doesn’t seem somehj g is wrong right now. I am sat in the lounge, could wake DH but he’s got a massive meetings tomorrow and was hoping to have a good night of sleep. May have to wake him up anyway.

Get comfortable - this can take a while! Learning to feed lying down in bed was a game changer for cluster feeding. As long as you follow safe co-sleeping guidelines it's fine and you'd be surprised at how many people do it when being put down isn't an option

How many more hours?? Been two already I’m sat in a wooden chair as it’s so uncomfortable I can’t fall asleep in it. I’m shattered but blessed/cursed with the ability to fall deep, deep asleep anywhere, any time. Really just close my eyes and I’m out within a minute or so. In afraid in much too nervous to try for coslweping because of this.

Also had a late lunch and skipped dinner, could this affect everything?

I think in the circumstances just wake DH for an hour. It's pretty unsafe to hold a baby this tired and it's probably not the time to learn to feed lying down (though im a huge advocate normally). You'll feel so much better with an hour's sleep and then he can go back to sleep.

Your body prioritises making milk, so it's unlikely your eating habits (especially one days worth) make any difference but staying hydrated is key. I have a refillable bottle i take round the house and can easily drink 8 bottles a day.