7 week old bf baby feeding constantly

[HormonesAGogo]

Hi, my 7 week old baby girl is feeding every 40-60 minutes during the day, for abot 10 minutes at a time! The upside to this is she sleeps well at night - about 6 hours with one break for food. I have tried spacing her feeds during the day apart further, and making her take more by keeping her awake (she often falls asleep after 10 minutes) or switching her to the oher breast, but now she doesn't sleep so well at night - no longer than 1 1/2 hours at a time last night, even though I managed to get the daytime feeds to 2 3/4 hours apart! She's a big baby - over 12 lb 5 oz at 6 weeks so it's not that she has a minute tum!
I'm really frustrated and worn out now, as I either can't do anything as there's such a small window between feeds, or I get hardly any sleep!
Any tips/advice? I called the NCT advice line and the counsellor seemed to think my problem was amusing and wasn't much help. Someone else suggested my baby could be too warm and wanting "drinks" constantly, so I am experimenting with turning the heating off. Any other suggestions gratefully received, and any advice from anyone going through similar!
Many thanks

This is very common at 6 weeks when they have a growth spurt. They need to feed very frequently for anything from 2 days to a week to increase the milk supply. It is hard, but try to eat well, drink plenty and nap when she does, give it a few days and the chances are she will gradually space the feeds out again.

MCongratulations.
My DS2 was like this, he fed every 45 minutes throughout the day - up to about 12 weeks - but, like your DD, slept reasonably well at night.

Try to go with it, feeding on demand does what it says on the tin. I promise you that this stage will not last forever.

Hormones - sorry the NCT person wasn't much help

What you are describing is normal behaviour, however and it doesn't last forever. Fighting this behavious is tiring, and has its downsides as you have found.

Going with the flow can be easier, truly.

If she's only just started doing that, it may be she's trying to increase your supply whilst going through a growth spurt.

I know it's hard - my DS only fed for 10 mins at a time but then only had breaks of 30 mins inbetween for ages! I was shattered but like sleepycat said, I just slobbed out and only left the house/garden if I had to, ie: to pick up DD from nursery.

I shopped online for everything and when he slept, I either did a bit of housework (not much though), played with DD, who regularly watched DVDs, or slept myself.

If you can, just think to yourself that it won't be forever and she drinks because she needs to. She'll let you know when she wants less feeds.

It sounds like you're doing a great job

The waking more often at night at the moment is probably due to the growth spurt they have around this time. Night feeding is better for producing more of the hormones that make your body make the milk, and your bub instinctively knows this. I know it is tiring and you probably feel like a human milking machine at the moment, but things will settle down soon.

I would suggest getting to bed as soon as she is settled in the evening to maximise the amount of sleep you are getting.

Not sure about the too warm thing, and hopefullt tiktok or someone will be along shortly to advise you.

7 weeks is still soooooo young. My LO fed for England all day and night for weeks. At least she's sleeping well at night.

Dont expect too much from a 7 week old. I had no bfing experience before my DD born and couldn't believe she could feed for as often or as long. I think I got confused with bottle feeding tbh. Just accept it - it gets better!

x-posts

BTW - let your baby dictate when to feed. Spacing the feeds at such a young age is not a good idea. Just demand feed, trust your body and your baby. I don't think 40-60mins between feeds is so bad really. it isn't unusual in such a young baby - honestly!

My DD did the same as your baby, snacking frequent feeds during the day and slept fairly well at night. I saw this as a good thing, I can deal with almost anything during the day if I have a few hours sleep.

Have you considered using a sling, this will make it much easier to nurse her on the go ?

I doubt turning the heating up or down will make a difference.

thanks everyone it's nice to know I'm not the only milking machine!
She's also sleeping more in the day now - is this due to the growth spurt as well?
I'm so worried I'm doing everything wrong!

hormones....if she is putting on weight like that, it certainly doesn't seem like you are doing anything wrong

Do you get out and see other mums with babies the same age? Try your local NCT group, or some health centres run a new mum group. It's also worth trying your local Surestart centre or Baby Cafe. Baby Cafes are great as there are trained breast feeding counsellors on hand to help you out with any questions, as well as the invauable support of other mums.