At wits end with cluster feeding!

[Samannie]

I have now been constantly breast-feeding my 8 week old for 12 hours with barely a break. This isn't uncommon and I'm at my wits end. I'm a single mum and have a 4 year old who is feeling very neglected. My nipples are so sore and I have barely slept since she has been born.
I feel like I can't go on but I have no choice. I have tried giving her a bottle (expressed milk and formula) and she refuses it, gets really quite upset.

She has gained 5lb and 1oz so far and now weighs 13lb 9oz and always has wet and dirty nappies. Infact it feels like she is having too much as she is often sick, projectile style at times. I can't keep up with her demands. I'm in tears and snappy and I need to sleep! What do I do? I co sleep a lot of the time but she wants to sleep on me which I can only do if I'm awake too.
I'm barely getting 4 hours of broken sleep every 24 hours and I feel ill with it. I'm so frustrated. Anyone have any advice or words of wisdom. This is really getting to me, I feel so guilty for not being able to spend much time with my 4 year old because of this. Thanks for reading x

It WILL come to an end. Usually they're more settled by 3 months. Try to hang on in there.

If you're sore it sounds as though you need some RL help. Is there a BFing Support Group that you can get to or have you tried calling one of the BFing Support Groups?

Have you thought of trying some nipple shields?

She won't entertain nipple shelds.
I wondered if it was a latch problem. Seems worse now my nipples are swollen and misshapen. I'll look for a support group.
Thank you 😊

Definitely call one of the BFing Helplies then. The earlier you do it the more likely they are to talk to you today.

Just wondering if she has any of the symptoms of TT?

I wondered about TT too. Her latch was great initially but she really struggles to stay latched on, especially when my boobs are very full. I have a forceful let down when they're full. Usually first thing in the morning. She struggles to stay latched, swallows lots of air and inevitably chucks up. That does settle after the first few feeds of the day as I don't have time to fill back to that level. That is usually when the cluster feeding begins. She seems discontent and never full from later afternoon onward. Feel like I'm getting it so wrong this time.

I'll call them now. Thanks so much ❤️