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Infant feeding

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

Original poster

2 week old breastfed baby

44 replies

sjbarbs · 27/03/2010 15:39

Hi
I am new to motherhood and breastfeeding and finding the feeding very difficult. I have had lots of conflicting advice - demand feed as she dictates and the other wake her 2-3 hourly. The only thing is by the time the feed finishes and she settled we are off again. This am has been a little better, fed a 6am, 9am, but then has been on and off the breast since midday and has just gone down - am I miss reading her or is this what they call cluster feeding? She is giving me lots of wet and dirty nappies and does appear to have wind (drawing knees up) but doesnt part with it easily, I have started infacol. Any advice would be gratefully received x

OP posts:
Sonilaa · 27/03/2010 15:48

Feeding sound absolutely normal for a bf baby. I dont think infacol is needed if shes not utterly distressed.

Congratiolations by the way!

verybbee · 27/03/2010 15:51

Hi I had a very similar problem - baby now 9 weeks!
I tried to follow the 3 hour approach but to be honest I got myself in a bit of a pickle with it all.
A friend of mine followed the 'on demand' approach and seems to have had much more success. It will prob seem like all your doing is feeding the little one but it will pay off in the end.
Don't forget to drink plenty of water (apparently you need double the amount you would normally drink) and eat really well as this has a direct effect on your supply. Hope this helps

allbie · 27/03/2010 15:54

Breast fed all four of mine! All very different. If they cry stick 'em on the breast. They just feed and feed. Follow your instincts and don't worry. Your baby sounds very okay! Breast feeding takes dedication and loads of hardwork. Throw the clock away and the infacol. You have to accept that your time is not your own for at least 6 months when breastfeeding.

rubyslippers · 27/03/2010 16:02

she is tiny

at 2 weeks old assume she wants the boob - for food/drink/comfort and let her feed as much as she wants

this will build your supply up

if you can, feed her laying down that way you can both rest

The first 6 weeks for me were very intense - i couldn't believe how much she fed (and she cluster fed every evening as well) - all very normal and usual if utterly knackering

now DD is 6 months and still breastfed - feeds take 10 mins whereas in the early days they were at least 30 - 40 mins

the intensity of breastfeeding settled a lot from 3 months onwards

hand on in there - and don't really attempt to do anything more than feed her

Original poster
sjbarbs · 27/03/2010 16:09

Thank you its nice to know you are not alone.

OP posts:
mad4mainecoons · 27/03/2010 16:43

wow - me too, my DD is 2 weeks and sounds very similar. its great to hear that this is totally normal and i should just remain calm and go with it .

glad to hear it will settle down with time.

Original poster
sjbarbs · 27/03/2010 16:56

Hi mad4mainecoons keep posting it is good we are at the same stage and can support each other. The advice from you all is fab and much appreciated!! Thank you x

OP posts:
amberflower · 27/03/2010 17:52

Congratulations on your little one and yes, it's totally normal at this age.

Wouldn't agree that time won't be your own for six months though. God, if someone had told me that at the beginning I'd have been demented. I've BF both mine (DS2 now 5 months and currently BF) and yes, the first few weeks were intensive, but once that settled down there has been plenty of time to do other stuff as well, and hopefully that will be the case for you too.

crikeybadger · 27/03/2010 18:30

Congrats on your new Lo.

Sounds like you're doing just great. Just be led by your baby.

For wind try laying your baby on the back and pushing knees to chest or cycling legs.

btw- what you eat doesn't have a direct effect on your supply, that's why women in 3rd world countries can bf.

SPBInDisguise · 27/03/2010 18:32

agree feed on demand, unles you've had medical advice to make sure that's no less than every 2-3hrs iyswim

Original poster
sjbarbs · 27/03/2010 21:57

Thanks - one more thing cant find it on net - when she is having her cluster feed how ofter should i alternate breasts?

OP posts:
NotQuiteCockney · 28/03/2010 09:00

Change breasts as often as you like really. If she gives up a breast, comes off for a shout or whatever, why not change breasts?

Often, constant feeding can be just their way to build up your supply - but it can also be indicative of bad latch. How are your nipples? Are they at all sore?

What is your local specialised BF support like?

Alternatively, an easy way to check latch is to look at the tip of your nipple when your baby comes off. If it looks more or less as it did going in (basically round) then the latch is probably good. If the nipple looks shaped at all, like the tip of a tube of lipstick, then there's room for improvement.

PootleTheFlump · 28/03/2010 09:00

Well done you, keep going. Try not to analyse too much and do not look at the clock!! I did nothing but feed for hours when she was that small but now she only feeds in short bursts. They won't feed if they don't want to, so always offer the breast when she is upset and take it from there!!

I used to swap sides after a winding session/nappy change or tbh when I remembered. When they are clustering I don't think it matters so much, just switched as and when it occurred to me!!

slhilly · 28/03/2010 10:02

Hi there and congrats!

I'd advise sticking with feeding your baby whenever she gives you the cue that she needs to feed. I'm sure you yourself eat and drink when you're hungry or thirsty, rather than a strictly defined clock -- she's exactly the same!

At the start, sadly, that means huge amounts of feeding, not least because her stomach's the size of a walnut...but it really will settle down in time.

mad4mainecoons · 28/03/2010 11:43

i was wondering about the swapping breasts issue, do i not need to worry about the foremilk/ hindmilk thing then?

and "Cues to feed" is this just the rooting or are there other signs i can watch out for?

love this thread. its keeping me sane

WelliesAndPyjamas · 28/03/2010 12:02

all sounds very normal, well done

change breasts when YOU feel like you need to (i.e. if you are feeling too full on the other side and need the release) and when there is a natural pause (i.e. she pops off and won't get upset by the move).

put the tv on or go on mumsnet or rest lying down with her - all relaxing stuff to do while she grows and feeds. Try and get in to the habit of making a quick cuppa before you sit down too and DEFINITELY have a pee BEFORE you settle down!

i wouldn't worry that much about hind/fore - just sit back and let her have what she needs

cues - rooting and crying at this age

you're doing great

Original poster
sjbarbs · 28/03/2010 15:22

Hi
Thannks 4 all the supportive messages. My midwife has just been and i chatted to he as i have conatantly fed todat. \she called it a duvet day whereby babe is going to onstantly feed to increase milk supply, I just felt surely it cannot be right but it sure is. Put your feet up relax and let little one lead the way. She reassured me that it wil settle down by the time babe is 6weeks.....keep going girls!!!!

OP posts:
angfirsttimer · 28/03/2010 17:36

Thank you for this thread. I have a two week old and he seems to feed for up to an hour at a time. He has good breaks between feeds but it means I am up for an hour and a half or so in the night with each feed. I am single side feeding as I wanted to make sure he got the hind milk but when feeding the other boob pours! Should I be swapping boobs mid feed? Can someone please reassure me that this flooding will end!?

Original poster
sjbarbs · 28/03/2010 17:49

my understanding is you should offer both breasts at each feed. he may not take the 2nd, but half way through if he falls asleep or takes himself off have a nappy change, wind and swap breasts. Good luck! x

OP posts:
PootleTheFlump · 28/03/2010 18:48

Hi Ang, honestly, it will end!! I had a couple of days where I fed on and off for about 15 hours (30 min gaps). Thought there must be something really wrong, but the midwife called it "the long suck""!! I found the pouring quite stressful and found that breast shells helped a bit - don't think they are recommended long-term but it only lasts while your milk supply is sorting itself out I think.

Am sure Tiktok or someone knowlegable will be along in a mo, but I wanted to let you know it gets sooooo much easier and you are doing a great job.

GracieGirl · 28/03/2010 19:17

It does get easier, I promise. My baby is 7 weeks now, and she is cluster feeding morning and evening but otherwise getting reasonable gaps between feeds. Be ready for the 6 week growth spurt though - duvet days once again!

Original poster
sjbarbs · 28/03/2010 20:48

Thanks again for messages feeling really pants this pm as been sat of sofa all day feeding, justmoved to bed to lie and feed and hopefully get some sleep. I wold do anything for my little princess but can understand how people give up breastfeeding, it soooo hard!!!

Keep it going you are my motivation along with my fantastic fiance who I am dreading going back to work tomorrow - bless him though he has done my packed lunch and sorted ny supplies for the day xx

OP posts:
mad4mainecoons · 29/03/2010 09:39

Morning Sj, hope you had a restful night, i did the same as you yesterday. and i never thought i would be moaning about a whole day lolled on the sofa
my trouble is that i have a rowdy 3yo DS and yesterday my DH had "man flu" so did absolutely nothing except moan about how poorly he was .

thanks god for Pre school and work today, a peaceful morning for Holly and me. and guess what we will be doing....... oh yes, feeding!

keep going, thinking of you.x

Original poster
sjbarbs · 29/03/2010 10:02

morning.
All I can say is what a hideous night, every hour on the hour. Just chatted to breastfeedinh counsellor as so nearly ready to give up!! Its so hard!!!!
I did put Cerys in her bouncer this am in the bathroom this am so I could shower and feel a little bit human.
Hope your ok, happy feeding, thinking of you xx

OP posts:
crikeybadger · 29/03/2010 10:17

morning sj

sorry you had a crap night

stick with it though

have you tried co-sleeping?

hope you can get a nap in today

what a sweet fiance you have to make you a packed lunch.