Newborn aggressively breast feeding

[JKDcot]

Hi all

FTM to 4 week old. I am EBF and happy it’s going ok as he’s putting on weight. It is relentless though, currently feeding every 2 hours often for 30 mins. He gets so worked up before a feed and is crying, head butting me and flailing his arms. My nipples are already sore and this is making it so painful when he bashes them.

Any advice? Should I hold his arms down? I can’t seem to calm him before the feed? What else can I do to make it a nice less aggressive experience?

Have you got a breast pump? If you can express and bottle feed some of your feeds it will give your nipples a break. And it will help your milk supply. See what breast feeding support is available in your area (Sure Start?), it's annoying you have to seek it out but there is support.

It's tough, but you sound like you're doing an amazing job, you're almost through the worst of it!

I think it does hurt at first to breast feed, as the nipples are very sensitive but after 4 weeks I would expect it to be easing off. Do you have any nipple damage? Is the nipple a lipstick shape when the baby comes off? If so, it suggests the latch isn’t quite right. You sound like you are doing a brilliant job, I wouldn’t wake the baby to feed but watch for early hunger cues and get in there quickly if you can

Ah OP, that age is really tough, but it honestly doesn't last forever (although it seems it now). Pop some boxsets on the telly, snuggle up and roll with the cluster feeding for now, it sounds like by the time you are offering they are already hangry. I found that around 6 weeks things became a lot less relentless. You are doing great

I agree with reaching out for support though, there are a lot of zoom meetings and phone support for local groups that cannot operate in person at the moment.

Have you offered the breast when he’s asleep? You might find he dream feeds calmly and doesn’t even wake.