10 weeks

[RaeRaeMama]

Everyone told me breastfeeding would "get easier" after 6 weeks. It didn't get easier. Then they said 8-10 weeks. It hasn't. Then they said 10-12....

I haven't had problems with latch so I'm very lucky in that respect, I have worried about my DD's weight but the HV and GP are happy so everything is fine.

It's the frequency, it is constant, it's always been constant from the beginning. Like every hour. Sometimes I have not more than 15 minutes between feeds. I say something but this is basically all the time. Then in the evening it's constant until she goes to sleep between 8-9.

Nights differ, sometimes we get a wonderful 4-5hour sleep followed by 2/3 hour intervals until 5/6am when she's awake. Other times it's a short sleep of 2/3 hours then waking me every hour for a feed.

But the day time never changes, it's constant and always has been.

1. is this normal?
2. has anyone here experienced this?
3. is this going to go on forever?

I'm not giving up on breastfeeding no matter what. But I am having days where I feel very down and it's hard snd lonely, so would appreciate hearing your experiences even if mine could end up being different

How long is a typical feeding session before the 15 min break?

@LouiseTrees

How long is a typical feeding session before the 15 min break?

On average about 20 minutes but others can go in for 45

Bump

I also have a very frequent feeder, but not that frequent. Is she crying for food or for another reason and feeding for comfort? I love my chucky cheese but I'm sure she comfort feeds because she's grumpy with teething and reflux more than hungry. Could LLL or a breastfeeding councillor help if this is really getting you down? It does sound a lot to manage.

Do you think she is getting enough in one go? Have you tried expressing to see how much comes out? I know it's not exactly the same as baby is better at stimulating the milk flow, but just to give you a rough idea?
Have you tried a dummy between feeds? She may just be using you for comfort.

I can't talk about when it reduces as I packed it in completely at week 12 but that was mostly because I had severe pain in my nipples that nobody could explain and was not getting any better. However in terms of frequency, that sounds normal to me, mine was the same until I stopped BF a few weeks later.

@MeadowHay

I can't talk about when it reduces as I packed it in completely at week 12 but that was mostly because I had severe pain in my nipples that nobody could explain and was not getting any better. However in terms of frequency, that sounds normal to me, mine was the same until I stopped BF a few weeks later.

Out of interest, how did you find the transition to formula?

This is normal and it won't last forever. Hang in there and rest when you can, EAT WELL.
Try laying on your side and feeding in bed during the night so you're both resting.
Let your partner hold baby after feeds so you can sleep.

You're doing a fab job be kind to yourself this is bloody tough.

DS is now 17 months and still BF. We had a horrific start but I promise you it gets better.

Absolutely fine, we did it gradually. She had the odd bottles of expressed milk since she was 2 weeks old so well used to the bottle. Introduced formula at 6 weeks initially one bottle every few days then one bottle a day and so on until at 12 weeks she was moved fully on to formula. By that stage she had a strong preference for the bottle anyway, she started showing a bottle preference when the ratio of feeds was more bottle than breast. Not sure how typical that is.

The frequency doesn't sound right to me and I would want an assessment from someone highly trained/experienced. It might be normal for you and it might get better by itself, but literally having 15-60 minutes between the end of one feed and the start of another is not typical breastfeeding frequency at 10 weeks old, so I don't think it's particularly helpful to suggest that it is normal.

It's good that you have no pain and that weight gain is good.

Not every issue is to do with latch, although a lot of HCPs will say "latch is good" when it's not necessarily good. A latch can look good, but if you have other red flags such as pain, poor weight gain, or over-frequent feeding then it is definitely worth having an assessment by someone qualified.

Do you have the financial means to hire an IBCLC for example? That is usually a good choice as they are the "gold standard" in breastfeeding support. If this is not an option then I would be looking at NCT breastfeeding counsellors, La Leche League Leaders or Association of Breastfeeding Mothers.

I agree with Bertie, above and came on to say similar. Have you had your baby assessed for tongue tie? Sometimes a TT is not so bad that the baby is losing weight or it is painful for the mother, but if a baby is struggling to get the required quantities of milk out in one feed, they can get very tired and fall asleep trying. And then wake up again hungry and so the cycle continues. Does your baby nap for those periods in between each feed?
Be aware too, that posterior TTs are harder to notice and diagnose than anterior ones.