Cluster feeding since 10 pm last night !

[Tillyscoutsmum]

DS is 3 weeks old. He has been feeding pretty much constantly since last night. He was going about 40 mins between feeds during the night (and settling ok in between) and has been feeding all fecking day. He's not very settled in between and had one 2 hour gap where he slept. The rest of the day he's had a few little 10 min naps if I rock/cuddle him, the rest of the time he's clawing at me, screaming, rooting frantically etc.

I don't know if he's hungry ? Colicky ? Just after comfort ? I really don't know. Should I try some formula ? He was 10lb 5oz born and is now 12lb 11oz. He's fed well since birth but I'm just not sure I can keep up with him anymore

I'd take a break if I were you.
Can you go for a drive or a shop or have a long bath?
Can someone else give him a good rocking or take him for a drive?
A finger to suck or even a dummy might tide him over.

I haven't even managed to get dressed today and snow is pretty bad. DH will be home in an hour and DC's will be passed over as soon as he walks through the door. Poor dd is bored silly as well

It's a while ago for me to remember, but there are particular times when babies feed more to bring on more milk and also because they are going through a growth spurt. Hopefully someone who's actually knowledgeable (ie unlike me!) will be along to give more support/info...

Oh bloody hell, one of those days eh?
A killer.
How about a bath with him?
Or all 3 together.
I'd be on the phone to yuor dh bellowing for him to get home NOW so that you can bugger off and get some headspace.

DH is 5 mins away so not long to go. Poor bloke would probably have been home much quicker if I hadn't rang him every 10 mins demanding an e.t.a

Have asked him to pick up formula, just in case it carries on.

Thanks btw

Just bumping

Is he home?

Do you fele strong enough to ride through the growth spurt?
That's obviously gold top milk you have there.

He's having a growth spurt and is increasing his milk supply. Shit for you but great for him. Have you tried dunking him in a bath to tire him out a bit? Easy to forget about yourself, have you eaten ok today?

He's home I've had a bath with dd and ds slept on dh for an hour. He's now awake and feeding again.

Do you reckon its a growth spurt then ? I feel so pathetic - I can't even tell if he's really hungry or if its something else (wind ? colic ?). He's just so upset and feeding is the only thing that settles him...

DD was so chilled as a baby and I'm not sure I can cope. I sort of think if he's gaining that much weight then my milk must be fine but then I do wonder whether he's just such a big hungry baby that he needs some top ups

Sorry for waffling

the first 3 weeks were a constant round of feeding - she fed continually

we co-slept and it saved my life in the early days especially through the growth spurts

i am not finding breastfeeding easy at all - DD still nurses a lot but the first 6 weeks were the hardest

You're not, you're very coherent for the mother of a very new hungry baby.
Sometimes they are like that, and if you want to breastfeed exclusively then it is a case of getting into the mindset of accepting that they need this sucking for whatever reason. I had a baby like that, followed by dream baby so know where you are coming from.
Does he sleep in the room with you so you can snooze and feed?

Generally they behave like this around 3 and 6 weeks due to a growth spurt and I'm sure tomorrow your boobs will show the result of this increase in demand!!! Hang on in there, this will pass. I know it's hard when you're sleep deprived but get your head down as soon as you can too.

Awww, I feel your pain as I remember it well.

At 3 weeks (and 5 weeks and I can't remember the other times) babies go through a growth spurt and will feed virtually all the time but stick at it (although it's incredibly hard) and it will pass within a few days and things will settle once more.

If your DH can take over a bit when he's home like he has done tonight then it will help but it's really a case of battling through I'm afraid.

It's no coincidence that a lot of mothers give up bf'ing at around this stage - lack of information leads them to think that they won't have enough milk for their baby, this is not true as long as you carry on feeding on demand your body will catch up and supply will increase.

Good luck, you sound like you're doing an excellent job!

Yes - he's in our room and I snooze whilst feeding lying down. I try and put him back in his hammock in between because I'm not comfortable fully co sleeping

Ruby - just seen your thread - sympathies. I wonder if a Cranial Osteopath might be worth a go for us as well. He just seems so bloody angry at the world

Picture - thanks. Have grabbed food when I can and dh has gone to fetch a take away (mine's got fenugreek in it !)

Thanks again all

good luck Tilly

am ringing the clinic tomorrow to book some sessions when the snow clears

If bf is important to you, chuck the formula away or it will sit tempting you and you will cave in at 3am or something.

Remember this stage very well with DS2 and am not looking forward to it when DC3 is born. It's shit and boring but it does pass.

Thanks again everybody. He's back to his usual 2 hourly feeding now (exhausting still but do able ).

I shall look forward to the 5 week growth spurt

That's good to hear.
Hope you are feeling a little better too.