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Infant feeding

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

Original poster

I need someone to hold my hand - 12 week growth spurt

17 replies

rubyslippedonastraymincepie · 22/12/2009 09:11

I was sobbing over DD's head last night at 1 am

we have had a week of 8 pm bedtimes (she was cluster feeding until 10 ish before then) and anything from 3 - 4 hour stretches so things were looking up

last night, she was down at 9.30 pm, then up at 11.45 pm and fed until 1.15 am. She was then up at 3.45 am and i just brought her into bed with me, as she was going for another mega feed

how long does it last for? Her 6 week growth spurt made me weep

i am getting desperate for some sleep - oh, and i think she is teething

i have made it this far with EBF but last night i would have given anything for soemone else to feed her just so i can get some rest

i have no energy to express today, and am reluctant to give her formula even though DH has said he will give her a bottle

i think i am waffling now ... not sure what anyone can do but am feeling a bit weary and sorry for myself

OP posts:
allstarsprincess · 22/12/2009 09:24

Sorry to hear you are so tired. Just here to tell you though that you are doing a great job. Normally a growth spurt lasts a couple of days and when it is finished babies often go longer than before in terms of feeding times. Rest assured....sleep is on the horizon!

If you can feed her more during the day, perhaps even giving her a feed before she seems hungry (if this is possible of course, with my DD it wasn't) at least then she is gaining calories other than at night. Make sure you continue to eat and drink well so your body can keep up with demand (chocolate does count)

Rest as much as possible and remember that you are only human and doing a great job.

Original poster
rubyslippedonastraymincepie · 22/12/2009 09:29

thanks

i can't feed her anymore in the day - she feeds very frequently and in the early evening she is on the breast permanently

will have to increase my biscuit intake i think

OP posts:
allstarsprincess · 22/12/2009 09:38

I remember the feeling far too vividly. I sat and cried for 5 hours feeding continuously one night before my husband took DD from me and told me to go to bed. I managed to get some brief sleep but felt such a failure. I am watching her now playing with her tea set and dolly and cannot believe how much she has changed. It seems like a weird thing to say but I really do miss those feeding moments now (even the bad ones.)

Biscuits all round.

missjackson · 22/12/2009 10:34

ruby it's so tough when all they want to do is feed from you, but it will pass. You sound really tired - is it possible for you to go to bed with your DD for a few days and just stay there, feeding as much as possible in the day, and sleeping whenever she does? Have you tried feeding lying down? It's a great skill to master! Eventually you will be able to sleep through the long feeding sessions, which makes all the difference I found .

Agree with allstar - they change so quickly, and you will never regret all the time you spent feeding her. I feel like everything got put on hold for four months while I did almost nothing but feed! But slowly the balance comes back.

If she's being particulary demanding, I would give the expressing a miss for a few days - give yourself a break when you can - hang in there, you are doing a wonderful job.

Poledra · 22/12/2009 10:38

Ruby, you're doing so well but it is really hard when all they want is boob! Can you co-sleep for a bit? I did this with DD3 and it made a huge difference - I woke up just enough to help her latch on, then went back to sleep again. I'm sure there were times I didn't even wake up, she just helped herself Is there anyone who can come over during the day so you can grab and hour or two's kip then?

essenceofSES · 22/12/2009 10:46

As others have said, you are doing really well. The only way I managed to stay sane was to co-sleep. Don't know whether you've tried this but it is worth considering.
On the worst days we took ourselves off to bed for an hour or so in the afternoon.

I encouraged my visitors to bring cake or chocolate with them - make the most of a good Christmas diet

Original poster
rubyslippedonastraymincepie · 22/12/2009 11:01

thank you everyone

she was in bed with me from 4 am last night

i have mastered the art of feeding laying down so i did get some rest

DS is in nursery today so it is just me and DD so feet are up (ignoring the housework)

she feeds all day - feeds to sleep as well, so no rest - I know it is a phase but it feels endless

i didn't have this with DS as he was totally bottle fed from 7 weeks and would settle more easily

OP posts:
Murtette · 23/12/2009 18:16

Hi Ruby

Aren't these growth spurts a nightmare? DD is 8 weeks and also seems to be going through one which I'm finding tough - especially as she'd dropped her 3am feed a couple of weeks ago so I'd got used to actually getting more than 2 hours sleep at a time. And of course there's all the last minute Xmas stuff which needs to be done and she had her first jabs today so is in a particularly grizzly mood. I just keep reminding myself how healthy and satisfied she normally is due to my bf.

Good luck over the next couple of days. Lets hope Santa brings us both some sleep!

skorpion · 23/12/2009 19:32

ruby no advice, sorry, I'm only two weeks in. You commented on my thread about soreness so I thought I'd offer support as well. Hang in there, as others said, a growth spurt is short-lasting and you will emerge at the other end soon. You're doing a great job.

NickeeS · 23/12/2009 21:10

RUBY - You are doing a great job, don't give up now. My DD went through her 12 week growth spurt 2 weeks ago so know exactly how you feel. prior to GS she was going down at 8ppm and going through the night to 8pm so I think it hit me extra hard as I was used to getting 9 hours sleep a night. It only lasted 4 days though so sleep is on the horizon, stick with it you will be glad you did.

Original poster
rubyslippedonastraymincepie · 24/12/2009 14:19

thanks for more encouraging messages

am determined to keep going as I have come so far - i never thought i would make it to 3 weeks, never mind 3 months

OP posts:
NickeeS · 24/12/2009 22:28

Hows it going Ruby ? I was the same....if my DD has taken formula at 6 weeks I would have gladly stopped BF, but now at 14 weeks it is so easy.

MrsKitty · 24/12/2009 23:23

Ruby we're in the same boat - DD (12wks) has been feeding all evening, still is now...Had to ask DH to wrap all the xmas presents - it's not pretty!

Hang in there - it won't last long

Just had a thought - my BIL/FIL are going to have to get over their aversion to me b/feeding by tomorrow or they're going to be spending alot of time leaving the room as I certainly won't be putting myself out in my own home on xmas day!

Original poster
rubyslippedonastraymincepie · 25/12/2009 08:40

thanks

she is still cluster feeding when we had managed to stop that for a week but hopefully it will calm down

i also think she is teething which doesn't help

wishing you all a merry xmas and hope that things settle down for everyone

OP posts:
alana39 · 27/12/2009 13:44

How's it going now ruby? Our 6 week growth spurt began christmas day and still going strong so know how you feel. No idea how i managed christmas dinner! Now feeding every 2 hours for about an hour and unsettled in between feeds.

Original poster
rubyslippedonastraymincepie · 27/12/2009 13:47

she fed all day yesterday - i was on my knees and then she cluster fed before passing out at 9 pm closely followed by me

today seems calmer but she is feeding like a demon

good luck - 6 week growth spurt was around 3 days for us so you should be at the end of it soon

OP posts:
scarlotti · 27/12/2009 13:59

ruby just offering some support here as we haven't hit 12 weeks yet.

waves to alana - our 6 week spurt lasted a few days too so you should be out of it soon

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