4 week old baby constantly feeding not sleeping

[RebeccaVi]

Looking for some advice / reassurance please! I have spent last night and today nursing my 4 week old boy. He has hardly slept at all, maybe short naps of 10 mins but just wants to feed. Is this normal? I’m exhausted and teary from constantly being up and feeding. He doesn’t have tongue tie and has a good latch but has been fussy. Will this be a passing phase or is he snacking?? I’m really hoping this is just a short phase 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 Thanks in advance!

Growth spurt.

Hi OP

It's totally natural for a 4 week old baby to want constant feeding and comfort... but it's hard work for you!

Sounds like you're doing a wonderful job feeding and comforting him, so hang in there and try to enjoy it if you can. It's probably a phase and he will need a little less of both soon enough.

Could you try carrying him in a sling so he gets the closeness without you having to constantly feed? Then you can go out for a walk, potter round the house. Some fresh air and movement might help him settle and sleep better.

Hi OP,

This is all very normal although incredibly tough I know. I struggled a lot at this age with the constant feeding. I was really sore and he had tongue tie too. I was so close to giving up but I am SO glad I didn't because it does get loads better over time. They do feed a lot during growth spurts and also baby will be establishing your milk supply to set it for what he needs. It's all very clever and natural. But exhausting. Safe co-sleeping and baby wearing could help. Good luck and hang in there it does get better x

Normal. I remember my little boy doing this at 3 weeks old. I texted my cousin who is a doctor to ask for advice!

Have you tried a dummy after a feed?

Totally normal... and really hard. Great that he has a good latch and no tongue tie. I think they say the biggest growth spurts are 4 weeks and 4 months which is when you see more feeding and sleep regressions. Hope it ends soon for you x

Hi - yes I have tried a dummy (though my midwife said I should wait until he is 6 weeks??) sometimes he may accept it for a short time but inevitably early ok start crying as he wants to feed / be on my breast.

This is completely normal. Their tummies are tiny and BM is digested quickly. They also feed more to increase your supply. It does get easier usually between 6 and 8 weeks.

Thank you all - glad to hear this is normal. Hopefully it gets a bit easier in s couple of weeks. I think I will invest in a sling so I can wear him - this may help at least free up my hands and maybe help him to sleep more during the day. Appreciate the comments :)

My LO is 8 weeks and I can promise it does get so much better! At 4 weeks he fed hourly, day and night. He's 9 weeks on Monday and he now feeds at 9pm, 3am and 7am then 3/4 hourly in the day. It's hard graft those early weeks but it does get easier every day (some days it gets harder again too, but persevere where you can as one day it'll just click)

Hi op. I'm not breastfeeding but my now 8 week old has only recently settled the last few weeks. Before then we could not settle him, he was hungry all the time & not sleeping! Many a night I would just break down in tears and wonder if this was my life now 😶 There is a light at the end of the tunnel I promise!! He's like a different child now and our bond is getting stronger every day! Hang in there a few more weeks xxx

Thanks so much for telling me about your experience- it gives me some hope! I’m very glad your LO has settled down :) xx