Breastfeeding a Newborn

[Mummyzoy]

Hi,
Wanted to ask on here as not many people I ask seem to have experienced the same as me... my beautiful Babygirl is only 1week old, but over the last 3days she constantly seems to want feeding both day and night, I would say every hour, but her feeds are lasting just a couple of minutes then she's had enough. (The first few days we had a wonderful 2-3hr routine going on and feeds were lasting about 20mins!)
So I take this to mean she isn't giving herself enough on each feed... but is there a reason for this all of a sudden. Am I over-feeding and just giving in as it is an easy option when she appears hungry? (she shows all the hunger signs) I worry about her tiny stomach not being able to handle it, but she is just going for the boob as it's comfort for her... it's so very draining and I wanted to see if I could grasp it quick...
I may also be being ridiculous I appreciate as she is only 1week old...
Anyone with similar experience / advice would be gratefully appreciated - TIA x

Hi mummyzoy. I've breastfed 3 babies and they are all different. Your baby is only a week old so definitely won't be any routine and really the whole time I breastfed..6mths with the first 2 and 3 mths with the 3rd..there was never a routine. It is so important to feed on demand in order to meet their needs. You can't overfeed them. Some babies get milk very efficiently and manage on short feeds. Others take their time. Depends on your letdown too. Things get easier after 2 weeks then easier again after 6. It feels like it will last forever but soon your baby will be getting more at each feed and naturally feeds will spread out a bit. All mine cluster fed like mad every night for a few hours before settling for good long stretch..(this was after 6 weeks though).

Sounds like you are experiencing cluster feeding - a very normal phenomenon in the early weeks. It doesn't last forever, but it can be pretty exhausting for you.

www.todaysparent.com/baby/breastfeeding/how-to-survive-your-newborns-cluster-feeding/

Hi Mummyzoy.

This is very normal newborn behaviour :) Your baby is likely having a growth spurt and needs lots of milk to keep her going. It is very exhausting, so it's important to have support around you, people to bring you food/drinks and hold her for you so you can grab a shower or a wee or get some sleep.

You're definitely not overfeeding, it's not possible to overfeed a breastfed baby. She wants to feed so much because her stomach is tiny and she is digesting the milk very quickly.

It's quite normal for babies to be more sleepy for the first few days and then suddenly "wake up" and need a lot more. It is tough getting through the first few weeks of breastfeeding but long term it ends up easier than bottle feeding, so hang in there.

Why not see if you have a local breastfeeding support group near you? That can be a really helpful place to get advice, support and compare what is normal. In the meantime there is a great infant feeding board here on MN:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/breast_and_bottle_feeding