disappearing

[Bronze]

Anyone got any advice? My DS is 4 weeks old and is feeding constantly (he's 12lb already, born 9lb 14). This is making me feel very drained as although I'm eating constantly I can't keep up and my fat reserves are almost depleted (though this is quite nice as well). I do give him one 4oz bottle of formula at night which he sometimes entirely drinks or completely refuses and I end up feeding him again. The hv hasnt said hes having too much or anything so I'm wondering what I can do.

Bron

How often does he feed and for how long ?
HOw often and what do you eat? Do you sleep well (I know he is 4 weeks old so I don't expect a yes )

Bronze, it sounds pretty normal to me. The good news is that it does get better. It really depends on the child, but I would expect things to calm down in the next month or so. Use this opportunity to eat lots and lots of everything yourself.

Bronze, if your baby is basically happy and developing well, and content on the breast, gaining weight satisfactorily (as he seems to be!) , then everything is hard work, but normal.

Eating well is good for you and your well-being, but there's no evidence it affects breastmilk quantity.

His weight gain is likely to slow in time, and he will be less likely to feed 'constantly' though he may always be a baby who loves to be close to the breast and snacking.

Because it is hard to 'teach' a baby like this to do things differently at this age, it's often suggested that you see what you can do to get support and help with other bits of your life and work - how you do this depends on who's around you and how able they are to help out.

A call to the NCT breastfeeding line 0870 444 8708 will help with ideas on making life easier, and reassure you there is nothing 'wrong' with what's happening....though yes, it can be a very fraught time.

Bronze, you could be me! I couldn't eat enough and went through several horses each day (still do). I got quite faint at one stage though, and had to bring on the cavalry. Out came complan and fattening puddings, etc. I think it helped. That faint, empty feeling is horrible, isn't it? Ds2 is 12 months now and eats like a trouper. He still breastfeeds a lot too. Interestingly, he has always been underweight and is being kept an eye on by the HV, but I think he just takes after his mum.

The best way to look at it is as an opportunity to gorge yourself. As tiktok says, breastmilk is breastmilk, no matter what or how much you eat (with certain extreme exceptions), it's composition remains the same, so don't worry about babe.
Is there any way that you can get more rest? (Daft question I know, but worth a try?)

I had an insatiable (sp?) desire for chocolate when bf my bigger two and I'm sure it was a response to a need. Didn't help me lose weight though