Short sleep, just ok feeding

[hbmummy]

DD1 is turning 6 weeks tomorrow. Since birth (except the 1st day), she has been sleeping for just 2 hours each cycle, once a while we might get lucky and she sleeps for 3 and once up to 4 hours. Everytime she wakes up crying and seems very hungry. I would have to bf her before I can do anything else (e.g. change her nappy - else she would be crying and it is just impossible to do anything).

It has been exclusively breast milk for the last 2 weeks (previously we topped her up with formula when my nipples just couldnt take it anymore and she seems to want more - but she still sleeps for 2 hours). Her feeding has never been long and she always dozes off on the breast. I tried to wake her up, but after few sucks she dozes off again. Either she unlatches herself or I do that, then change her nappy and she will then wake up for the second feed.

We have started using Infacol two days ago, and it seems to work really well. Very much less painful cries from her and she is much more settled at night.

Need help on how to:

1. Get DD1 to sleep longer - am not asking for sleeping through the night, but at least a few 4 hours cycle for me to have a decent rest

1. I gave her a top up of formula milk (3 fl. oz) yesterday when she seems not to have enough and she slept for 3 hours. Is she getting enough milk from me? Is this the cause of short sleep and dozing off on the breast? I really want to bf her, but my nipples especially the right hand side are terribly sore/tender and I just couldnt bear feeding her anymore.

Help!

It's really normal for a tiny baby to sleep like this. She slept slightly longer after formula because it's harder for her to digest.

6 weeks old is classic growth spurt time, if you get through this you may find she settles down in a day or two - she's nursing often to keep your supply up and because she needs to eat often, not because she's not getting enough. She probably won't sleep for a four hour stretch for a while yet - ds2 didn't until he was 5 months, and he was formula fed, so don't put her on formula to get more sleep - you would REALLY regret it when she is down to one quick night feed and you have to fart about with bottles in the night!

Hope your nips feel better soon - I have heard good things about nipple shields!

Sounds pretty normal for a lo I'm afraid, ther tummies are so tiny it needs regular refills. They also have a growth spurt around now which means they feed often to enable your supply to keep up. Do you offer same side or other when you wake her ? Some babies do snack , especially in the evenings.

Well done on reestablishing the exclusive b'feeding , have you had latch and position checked to make sure she is feeding effectively (soreness now may indicate otherwise). Formula top ups are not great indicators of your supply , it is sometimes likend to squeezing in pudding after a large main course, you don't need it but have it anyway. The sleep will come but your best bet is to make sure she gets the most effective b'feeds rather than faff about with formula. Good luck

Tried a Mothercare nipple shield. Did not work - the cone did not fit my nipple (much bigger than nipple) and DD1 ended up chewing the cone (i.e my nipple not sucking the aerola). Ouch!

Any good ones to recommended or perhaps the right way to use it?

Lizs - DD1 has the same side after waking up from nappy change, and I always try to give her the second breast to make sure she has enough. Sometimes she takes it, sometimes not.

The latching seems ok. MW and HV both said good latching, and it looks really ok to me. The left hand side nipple is not sore. Am just thinking is it because I am right-handed and hold her differently to my right breast.

Could you favour the other breast until the sore one is better? Just giving shorter feeds off it? Sorry I don't know if that is a good idea or not

www.kellymom.com/

The above website is very helpful and informative/

From. Give shorter feeds from it.

Try Lanisoh or Kamillosan for soreness.tbh i think now might not be good to try a nipple shield,whatever style. MW's and HV's are not great when it comes to specific bfeeding advice, do you have a Babycafe or a bf cousellor nearby. It might simply be a small adjustment is required to the hold on that side. If you can vary it more, underarm/rugby, across body, lying down etc, the pressure may not be applied to the same sore points each feed giving it more chance to heal. Also might be worth checking for thrush.

my ds is 6wks, ex bf and feeds every 1-4 hours - your lo sounds like mine, ie. normal for a 6wk old!

he's also just going thru growth spurt, and cluster feeds in the evening. it's made my nips v. v. sore, found lanisoh helped, and favouring sides for a few feeds to ease the worst side.

no advice, just wanted to let you know you;re not alone and sending much sympathy!

I am using Lanisoh, however I still find my nipples very tender - painful when not soft fabric like towels or sheets touches them.

Am considering expressing to give my nipples a break, and am looking at the breast pumps out there. Looking at the reviews, the Avent ISIS seems good. Anything should I should know before I buy?