4 weeks EBF need help

[Jennyg1811]

Hi, I have a BB and we’re EBF. He never seems settled after a feed and is demanding food every hour - I feel very trapped as not yet comfortable BF in public. Today I had a bottle of expressed milk / which he drink and has settled really well after. Please help?

Hi Op. This is a tough time in bf for you, baby will be feeding regularly (cluster feeding) to send the signal to your body to create more milk. At this age it’s a demand and supply process so he is essentially putting in an order for future meals each time he goes onto the breast. They also get comfort from bf so are more likely to doze off from bf before completing a feed, then walking to finish it. Their little tummies are so small at this age so will need to feed little and often.

With a bottle, you’re able to get more milk in quickly so they’ll appear more rested, but the bf you are describing sounds completely normal. If you are going to continue giving expressed bottles as well as bf, I’d really recommend looking up pace feeding to avoid him developing a bottle preference.

In terms of getting comfortable bf in public, I really recommend wearing a vest top under a normal outfit so you can pull the vest down just under your breast, and your top up so that really minimal skin has to be out. I prefer this hack to using bf specific clothes to be honest.

Sounds like you are doing great xx

Like pp said, this sounds like cluster feeding where baby is just trying to up your milk production. It can feel claustrophobic at first but try and lean into it, have all your favourite snacks and big bottle of water by the sofa and a box set to binge. It won’t be forever but if you need further help or to speak to someone then the National breastfeeding helpline is a great resource. x

Is LO feeding every hour day and night @Jennyg1811 or are they feeding every hour sometimes and having longer stretches at other times?