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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

3 week old won't sleep unless nursing

6 replies

Mslongears · 20/04/2026 14:54

I'm 3 weeks postpartum with baby #3. First breastfed (previous were breastfed via bottle due to severe tongue ties).

For the last 13 days he's been glued to me. I'm not exaggerating that, he absolutely won't be put down or away from the boob. I spoke to my health visitor who said he's likely not getting enough milk, yet goes through 15-20 nappies per day. And VERY wet and dirty ones, as most of the time if I'm not changing him hourly he soaks through. She's recommended I start supplementing formula which I don't feel is necessary. On his day 5 appointment with the midwife he had gone from 5.9lbs to 6.4lbs and is now fitting into 3-6 month clothes so I'm definitely not concerned about him not gaining weight. But it's the fact he will scream until I feed him, and he's up for hours a time. He won't nap for longer than half an hour, but only if I'm side laying to feed him otherwise he won't sleep at all. As soon as I move he's wide awake again. I know cluster feeding is draining but my health visitor says it's only supposed to last for a few days. She's made me another appointment with the midwife to make sure everything is OK but I know they'll just suggest formula top ups or that he's not getting enough. The usual stuff.

Has anyone else been through this and when does it get better? I have a high needs toddler to look after also, so being confined to the bed or sofa for weeks on end isn't going to work for us, as much as I've been longing for a successful feeding journey..

OP posts:
CarbootJunction · 20/04/2026 16:28

Have you considered a dummy/soother? I was horrified when my sister marched into my bedroom and popped one into DS wailing little mouth, but I think she actually saved my life.
Good luck.x

CrunchySnow · 20/04/2026 16:33

Sounds like silent reflux to me. Im a midwife and my son sounds exactly like yours. He was feeding great, no vomiting, putting on weight butnwouldnt be put down. In my sleep deprivation it took me a few weeks to figure it out....he was over feeding to soothe the reflux. We tried a few things but ended up on Omeprazole which solved it all within 2 days.

Superscientist · 20/04/2026 19:41

Sounds like silent reflux which causes comfort feeding which causes more reflux and more feeding. Also with the number of dirty nappies I'd consider looking at a dairy allergy too.

Mslongears · 20/04/2026 20:13

Superscientist · 20/04/2026 19:41

Sounds like silent reflux which causes comfort feeding which causes more reflux and more feeding. Also with the number of dirty nappies I'd consider looking at a dairy allergy too.

Probably not a dairy allergy as I'm dairy free. The midwife didn't seem concerned, she just said he's probably having a growth spurt and should slow down in the next couple of days. But I'm not sure I can survive this until then!! He's been nursing non stop since 3pm as we speak

OP posts:
Superscientist · 21/04/2026 09:26

Mslongears · 20/04/2026 20:13

Probably not a dairy allergy as I'm dairy free. The midwife didn't seem concerned, she just said he's probably having a growth spurt and should slow down in the next couple of days. But I'm not sure I can survive this until then!! He's been nursing non stop since 3pm as we speak

Do you have a lot of soya? About half of babies are allergic to soya and dairy. I was vegetarian when I had my daughter and the link to her symptoms and soya was more obvious than to dairy.

Superscientist · 21/04/2026 09:28

Midwives aren't always best when it comes to feeding I had a midwife tell me my daughter was struggling to feed because of an undersupply then in the next breath said it was an oversupply. It was neither it was reflux and allergies.

Do you have an infant feeding team? It might be worth approaching them. In my area they do a weekly drop in morning.

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