Newborn cluster feeding- help

[Aw12345]

Obviously I was expecting to be awake a lot in the night with a newborn but the problem I'm having is that he's wanting to cluster feed 24/7 so I can never nap!

He's 6 days old, we're feeding on demand, have had our milk supply and latch checked by local midwife led breast-feeding centre and they're ok.

He's feeding for 5 mins, off for 3, on for 7, off for 10 etc etc 24/7. If I put him down he has a breakdown.

What do I do?!?!

Hi there my DD is now 8 days old, have you had a little look inside his mouth to see if his milk teeth buds are coming through? This could b making it uncomfortable for him and I believe you can use the teetha granuals to help if it appears to be hurting him x

Do you have a partner who can take him for a bit? Will he settle at all in the pram or car?

My dh would take ours and wear them in a sling or go for a walk or a drive for an hour or two just to give me a solid block of sleep. We’d do this once during the day and once in the evening (mine tended to cluster feed up to about 9pm and then I could hand them off for a few hours). He would literally spend 2, 3, 4 hours walking in circles in the lounge watching box sets so I could get them some sleep. It really doesn’t last forever so whatever ridiculous thing you need to do now to get through, do it.

Also make sure you’re eating and drinking plenty as that will help your supply too.

Have you practiced feeding laying down? That was a godsend for me in those first few weeks!

Unfortunately no real advice but to ride it out, this bit doesn't last forever - you're probably at the peak of the clusterfeeding now and it will gradually settle over the next couple of weeks. Try to practice feeding in the side lying position so you can drift off here and there if possible but he may be too little to do that at the mo.
If you can get some time could you try expressing a couple of ounces to give a bottle and give you a small break?
There's an app called "Timeline of a breastfed baby" that may be helpful to you (there's a website which has free info if you google timeline of a breastfed baby and the alpha parent you should find it)
I hope you manage some rest.

Cluster feeding is a bitch and there might be an underlying reason or it might be to get the feeding supply established. If it helps I had something similar so just lay down in a dark room and switched sides from time to time. I found I could nap a bit as long as I was comfy.

Don't do what I did which was get RSI from using my phone! Put a diff up at the door, have Water nearby and try to doze if you can. I hope it passes soon! Xx

Ah, those days are hideous and wonderful in equal measure.

I got through by remembering that a matter of days ago he was safe in my womb, getting everything he needed with no effort. No shocks (even loud noises were muffled), no ride open space and no bright lights. He went through the mammoth and shocking task of being born and now everything is a struggle! I'm hungry! I'm tired! I miss my old place! So being skin to skin and more or less constant breastfeeding is his only comfort. Gradually it lessens. And he can enjoy his cuddle with daddy/granny/whoever because he learns he always comes back to you.

I hope that reads as kindly as I meant it. And not condescending, it's just what I told myself in those early days and nights to get me through it.

Get a great box set, get a pillow or 5, get an insulated drink cup with a secure lid (or two, one for hit drinks and one for cold) and hunker in.

Yes, do you have a OH? My dd would often settle for him but not for me (she knew I had the milk ).

Yes, to feeding lying down - that saved me! Even if you do not sleep it's a much more restful position.

@TwoGinScentedTears
That's lovely! Almost makes me broody- again!

What's his weight gain like?

Only reason i ask is because dd2 was like this - latch and milk etc were checked by at least 6 midwives who all said it was perfect (but she wasn't regaining weight after he initial drop). It turned out she just wasn't getting enough milk from me and her latch wasn't right.

It’s super tough but completely normal. These things saved me:

1. Safe cosleeping
2. Laying down and feeding on my side in bed whilst safe cosleeping (one or both of your nods off and that fine - boob snooze away)
3. Dummy
4. Sling
5. Dad to get up and take baby in the early morning (in a sling with dummy is preferable as they tend to stay settled longer) to give you a bit of sleep it even just time alone to mindless scroll through your phone.

It’s not forever but it does seem like it at the time.

Thanks so much for the advice and wisdom. It's good to remember it doesn't last forever and I'll try to feed lying down and get DH to take DS out in the mornings for a bit.

Thanks again ... You're definitely right that it's hideous and wonderful in equal measure :-) very well put :-)

Gosh the early days are exhausting, aren't they. It does sound like they are very short feeds, why does he come off, is he falling asleep? Is he having enough wet/dirty nappies? (6 wet per day, and 3 yellow mustard poos). Do you offer both sides?

Just as I was about to start a cluster feed sos thread I spot this... my 5 day old DD feeds very well. But feeds for so long! During the day each feed lasts about 1.5 hours then she is content for about three hours. Then from 11pm-5am she won't settle between feeds at all and demands constant boob it's exhausting 😞

My LG is 12 days old and wants boobie all the time its so exhausting isnt it!!! The only thing that is only just getting me through is it will pass (i hope!!!)