Breastfeeding 6 days - no break, this is hell

[sofasofachair851]

Naive ftm here. I’m very lucky my milk has come in and baby can latch etc. I can’t get more than 2 hours rest because of constant feeding. Obviously no one in the family can help with this. I’m sleep deprived - obviously- but the fact people have to give her back to me every time I try and lie down is miserable for everyone.

What should I do? Grin and bear this for however many months it takes for them to get into a routine? Is pumping going to help so that I can leave them with my partner/family for at least some time? Give up and use formula? I don’t see how this is sustainable.

I’m also terrified of going outside and they needs a feed- I’m all for others publically breastfeeding but I would be too embarrassed. Sorry but it’s just the way I currently feel.

thanks for anyone’s help/words of wisdom

I haven't been on here in ages but have popped back on and come straight across your post. I have 2 sons, I was only able to breastfeed my eldest for a week and so persevered when I had my second. We made it to a year and I promise it does get easier. It feels the gaps will never get longer and you'll never get any time to yourself, but if you want to continue just try to remember that it is such early days. At 6 days they're still feeding to encourage your supply- that will peak about 6 weeks and then they don't take anymore in terms of volume (from what i remember reading). So it feels full on for a while and then they will settle as they take more or less the same each time. The sleep deprivation is awful, it can literally drive you mad but I also found the sleep in between feeds was the best I ever had. As others have said I'd recommend sleeping as much from early evening as you can. My husband also used to do the soothing quite often in the evenings- I would feed and then he would take him from me as I was getting a bit 'touched out' from him being on me all the time! As someone who found BF hard for the first 6 months, I promise it gets easier. The changes just happen so gradually for a while that it takes a bit of time to notice. But you have got this, if it's what you want to keep doing!

I hope people around you are telling you how wonderful you are. Its a special and natural thing, to feed your baby. it is your only job right now, but it is very exhausting and disorienting at the start. The first baby - everything in your life has changed. I can remember it even though it was nearly 30 years ago - i was just reminising with my friend this am from the same baby group..
give yourself a pat on the back, and stay in bed / on the sofa whever you are comfy.
You may have had this suggestion already, if you'd like to speak to someone La Leche League GB - Friendly breastfeeding support from pregnancy onwards You have done the worst - the beginning few days. my first child fed every 2 hours too, so I sympathise. the ease of breastfeeding means you and your baby can go anywhere, once you are up to it.

Also, I was also very shy about breastfeeding in public.

I found garden centre cafes with outdoor seating were the easiest way to start breastfeeding in public. Generally you can find a quiet spot - you can turn furniture so you're not really in view of everyone. Take a large swaddle cloth / muslin if you want.

Another good place to breastfeed is in the car (whilst parked obviously) or at mum and baby groups - loads of people will be feeding so you get used to it fast.

Slowly you'll gain confidence - I wouldn't have ever thought that I would be able to feed in public without covers etc as I'm very reserved by nature. However I'm now not really giving it a second thought.

It does get easier, honest! At the moment both you and baby are learning. Your baby only has a little stomach and needs feeding often because they have a lot of growing to do. You will find that they go longer between feeds, my 2 achieved that at different rates but it does happen. And it's a good idea to get out of the house for an amble while the weather is good. It did tire mine out being outdoors, even if I was the one doing the walking!
The first couple of weeks really are a steep learning curve, I admit I enjoyed breastfeeding. I think I must be cow like, as I found it quite soothing, just sitting with a baby on my boob. And it was a good excuse to have people running around after me, I was the only one able to do it!.

Regarding breast feeding in public.

I also didn't like it so I either fed in the car as soon as I parked up or about to leave somewhere with some window shades or I used parent/feeding rooms where available

Larger shopping centres have them, some John Lewis's, Sainsbury's etc

They aren't the flashiest but even a plastic chair in a private room is better than the stress of latching/whatever while in public

I feel your pain! And your tiredness and overwhelm. Been there.

I used an app to track breastfeeding. Turns out I was feeding for 8+ hours a day. At 8 weeks I got baby's tongue tie cut and it plummeted to 3.5 hours a day. Bear that in mind. Best way is with a private tongue tie practitioner because no one I spoke to on the NHS thought my baby had tongue tie even though it was fully along 75% of baby's tongue!

Breastfeeding covers are great when baby is little and you are new to it. By the time baby was old enough to object to it I was hardened enough to ignore people noticing me. No one ever commented or sneered btw. Only the odd compliment.

I'm currently breastfeeding my 10 week old daughter and it is very time consuming I have pumped enough for a bottle a day since she was 2 weeks old just so I can have a bit of a break and have a shower and take care of myself, there is no right or wrong way it is whatever you think you need to do