My 5 week old suddenly seems unsatisfied and is feeding for hours, why?

[gingerninja]

Yesterday (am and pm) and this morning DD2 has been feeding continually for about 3 hours at a time (with short power nap at some point in between) She is tugging on the breast and doesn't seem content. I have just got over mastitis and a cold and she has had the sniffles too.

My breasts are sore from the tugging and feeding on what feels like empty breasts (i know they aren't but it feels like it) and I'm struggling to meet her needs as have another DD who needs my attention. Do you think this is a regular growth spurt. My DD1 used to suckle for ages but not really feed but DD2 really feels like she's actively feeding and not just omfort sucking. She wakes up after a short nap sucking her hands and seems desperate to feed again despite maybe feeding for an hour.

Just not sure what to do.

Thanks

DD was EXACTLY like this during a growth spurt. Usually lasted 3 days. She always fed more after a cold too.

Thanks show of hands, hopefully we only have another day or so then. My nipples are killing and i thought I'd got over that stage. every time she looks at me she licks her lips and it sends shivers down my spine

There is a growth spurt at about 6 weeks, so it's probably that.

Go with it and feed, feed, feed to up your supply. It will only last a few days (although it can feel like weeks!)

They go through three growth spurts where they want to feed none stop, there's one at 4-5 weeks, one at 7ish weeks, then one at 12 is weeks. You'll know for next time so maybe express some when this one's over, freeze it and use it the next time so you don't feel so drained. The milk supply is supposto catch up however at this point my son was feeding so much I was flat so I can't see how he was getting anything out.

Fluffy - isn't the aim of the growth spurt to up your supply? So if you give the baby ebm (expressed before a growth spurt) during a growth spurt, the required amount of demand won't be made on your supply, thus your supply won't increase in accordance with the baby's need.

Also when the boob feels empty it means you have a higher ratio of hindmilk in the breast. The breast is never truly empty, even when it feels like it is.

My sympathies, it is so knackering. Growth spurts are hellish but they are finite, just keep telling yourself that!

I know what you mean about the licking of lip/shivers- last growth spurt my DS would be grinning merrily at my DH then when he caught sight of me the smile would vanish and 'nom nom nom' the mouth would start going!

Well yes ILTMITMI, there's no point in wearing poor old mum out though, this can't be good for anyone. They don't last forever, a day or two. I loved bf ds, I couldn't see how he managed to get anything out at all at some times though so I made the mistake of giving him formula to top him up (HV's idea). I was knackered as well though so I suppose it helped as someone else could take over for a while.