Cluster feeding and screaming / fussiness

[Crazydiamond106]

My baby is 10 days old and I think yesterday started cluster feeding. Previously she had moments of feeding frequently every 1-2 hours sometimes with longer 3-4 gaps but this was her wanting to feed constantly from 7pm till 11pm and then again from 3am till 6am.

At first this was fine as she was just wanting to constantly feed but I think she then started to either get overtired or frustrated because She wasn’t getting what she needed as she got very fussy and started pushing herself off the boob, screaming and getting very distressed but wanting straight back on the boob then pushing off again. I found this so upsetting as I just didn’t know what to do to console her or what the problem was, had a really rough night spent mostly in tears. Is this normal behaviour for cluster feeding or a sign of a feeding problem? She’s gaining weight and lots of wet and dirty nappies but seems very frustrated.

Also usually when she feeds she falls asleep on the breast / naps and gets sleepy but last night she was frantically sucking and wide awake for hours, it was a totally different level she seemed genuinely hungry rather than doing it for comfort. If I tried to put her to bed or give her a cuddle she’d be rooting and crying immediately.

I don't know whether this is normal cluster feeding behaviour or not but I am watching with interest as this is exactly how my DD was from late afternoon until around 1 or 2 in the morning around this age and it is why I ultimately gave up breastfeeding (hats off to you for continuing).

In fact, I have never managed to explain it as you have done, so thank you for that. Hope it improves soon and that in the meantime someone more knowledgeable can reassure you

I've only breastfed one baby, still going at 7 months. Those early days are really hard, but it sounds normal, doesn't mean it's fun, I hope you're ok. you might find that the day after they've cluster fed you'll be really full and they'll be more satisfied. I was always told the sucking is to put an order in for the following day.
I used to sit on the sofa, prop the baby up on my boob and watch tv, eat my dinner over the top of her and just generally relax while DH / friends / family brought me drinks and snacks.

Have you tried feeding laying down side to side facing each other? It's so relaxing

It was hard but I look back fondly as these days she feeds for 3 minutes at a time, and then wants to play!

Wanting the boob but pushing off could be wind.

I’ve found that pushing off the boob can mean that the baby needs burping, it also might be a sign to switch sides- other than that the fussing can just be the baby processing the day that they have just had in their tiny little brains which will be totally frazzled!

Can be wind. Keep at it, this is the hardest bit (no one tells you about). In another 2 weeks it'll have all settled and by 6 weeks supply is fully established. Most people give up now because they think baby isn't getting enough, she's just trying to increase your supply so go with it, try to relax and watch TV and assume she'll be attached for a few weeks while she gets it sorted.

Having said that, my DD had cmpa and I had to cut out dairy. Symptoms are back arching for feeds along with severe colic. it's probably not that but check the symptoms so you know what they are.

I think it might be a bit of wind. It's hard because when they get wind pains they want to go back on The boob for comfort even though it doesn't help.

Baby is still very young and even if they seem like they're in a routine they aren't really (which is annoying for the adults as we think we can predict what's going to happen)

Wet nappies and weight gain are a really good sign so you're already doing an amazing job

I had this with my DS on and off from 1 week to 6/7 weeks. I was told it was quite normal and part of them getting your milk supply going, once you hit around 6 weeks it seems to settle down a bit. It is really hard but it does get better! I found having Netflix on eased the pain!

I've had this aswell. I agree with pp it's perfectly normal but really tough on mum. My.little lad is 5 weeks and starting to settle down on the cluster feeds.
Arching can be a sign of wind but the baby can be confused when they smell you. An idea could be to leave the roo for a couple of minutes while hubby burps her.

I gave mine a little bit of expressed milk (30 ml just before bed) or formula when I couldn't Express enough. It took the edge off the hunger so he wasnt screaming. It took the pressure off me which made the whole thing easier. At this age the midwife advised using a cup rather than bottle to prevent nipple confusion. We did this for 2 days in 3 weeks. We had to do it again for a couple days at 5 weeks but this time we have used a bottle and luckily my guy hasn't developed nipple confusion.
As a pp said the baby is cluster feeding tk increase supply while my OH gave the milk I pumped to try and get supply up.
This worked for us but there is no right or wrong approach you just need to find what works for you.

Totally normal. It happens to me. I've learnt to check for wind. It is often the problem. Then when he us in that phase I switch boobs. So feels like I have him back and forth like a yoyo.

Totally normal. Like pp have said try to burb and then switch boobs.
It's just baby's way of making more milk ahead of a growth spur; doesn't mean there is anything wrong with your milk suply. Just hang in there.

If you are worried, you can see a lactation consultant or midwife/GP.

Totally normal!
The cluster feeding is exhausting, but they are establishing your supply. Just keep winding and swapping boobs as others have said. I found Infacol really helpful for a few weeks from around then-it just helped get the wind up.
Other than that, just go with it. Trust your baby and your body and boob, boob, boob. It won’t always be this hard and you won’t always feel this exhausted. It becomes easy (we are now 20 weeks-I can recall how 10 days feels).