4 week old feeding every hour and a half - help

[Piccalilli2]

My breastfed 4 week old dd is feeding every hour and a half during the day - does anyone have any tips on how I can gently persuade her to maybe go a little bit longer between feeds? I'm not expecting much, but even every two hours would be nice - my nipples are in a horrible mess and I'm desperate to give them some time to heal, also I have a 2 yr old as well who is getting very bored with me being stuck on the sofa all day.

Poor you

My DS was the same. He would rarly go more then 2 hrs for a feed up to 3mths, which made going out very stressful !!

I found trying to stretch it 10 mins at each feed worked well, so not to put too much pressure on you or your dd.
Try going for a little jaunt round the block or a little drive or even I found putting a calming cd on and walking around the house. The 10 mins will feel like 2 hrs, put stick with it, it will get better xx

Their tummies are so small they have to feed little and often. Mine went 2 hourly for 6 months so I can sympathise. Are you offering both breasts? trying again after winding?

have you tried any of the bf lines? it sounds as thought it would be good for you to talk to someone. shall i post number?

Ask your HV for Jelonet dressing for your nipples, and see if you can contact a breastfeeding counsellor to help you improve the latch.

numbers down right hand side with advice on ringing.

She feeds for between 15 minutes and half an hour each feed, usually alternating so this morning we've had half an hour at 7:30, then 15 minutes at 9, about to feed again. Will continue like that til about 4, then feed every hour for about half an hour each feed til 7, then feed for 2-3 hours straight in the evening. I usually offer both breasts but she tends to only want one.

I think it sounds normal and won't be like this forever. Good idea to just offer one breast at each feed at this stage, gives the other nipple time off to rest.

Could you read stories to the 2 year old while you feed?

Have been trying to read to the 2 yr old while i feed but she tends to get bored and occasionally has lashed out at the baby. She's allowed to watch dvds for the marathon 4 til 7 feeding period and i try to do one feed in the garden so she can have a run around but she's still getting very bored.

I try to do each feed in a different location to keep my 2 year old happy. eg one at the kitchen table whilst she plays with her dough, next in the garden, one in our bed whilst she bounces! playroom etc etc etc

I like to think that she doesn't associate me feeding with one particular boring place???

Cheers. Will try to get along to breastfeeding clinic tomorrow. I suspect things may improve slightly now i can drive again as dd2 will have a sleep in the car but not the pram - might enable me to at least change the scenery occasionally.

okay. I always found that after one breast they would be totally full up when they were still small and I could never get them to feed more, their little mouths clamp shut...so each feeding time I'd be feeling my boobs to see which boob I was on

Yes I probably look like Les Dawson! I think more polite women move their ring from one hand to the other to remind themselves which side they are on.

Anyway, Picalilii I hope you quickly get past this difficult stage one way or another and can enjoy breastfeeding. It is still early days and your 2 year old will still be adjusting to the new arrival.