Constant breast feeding

[Betsyboo87]

DS is a week old today. He took 36hrs to first latch but he’s fed constantly since. In the past 24hrs he’s only been off the breast for 3 hrs. I’m exhausted. I never planned on full time bf but the hospital and post partum midwife really pushed it.

I know he is getting enough as he’s filling plenty of nappies and yesterday he was back at his birth weight. I just feel he is only getting enough by feeding all the time which isn’t sustainable.

I had a complicated birth with a vacuum and then manual removal of retained placenta. I lost 1.2ltrs blood. I’m so aware that I need my body to recover too and I’m unable to do that. I desperately want to be able to provide for DS.

I wondered if anyone has had a similar experience? I think we’re going to give him a bottle shortly for a break but I’m worried that will mess up his latch.

DH is being fab but there is only so much he can do. He’s barely held DS because he just screams when he isn’t being fed.

That sounds intense. Cluster feeding is normal but shouldn't be all day every day. It is usually for part of the day or all hours for a few days to build supply. That's great you have an appointment.

I used to lie down to feed and fall asleep myself. With DC1 I got DH to keep an eye on us as I was so tired I didn't feel safe. With DC2 I followed safe co-sleeping guidance. It helped to snooze during cluster feeds and sometimes I could unlatch them and over to the other side of the bed to sleep.

It's quite normal not to get much from a pump, especially the first time you use it. You're only ever getting the excess with a pump - having loads of excess you can pump off is not necessarily a good thing since it may indicate oversupply and/or a baby who isn't able to empty the breasts effectively. OTOH you can "train" them to produce extra by pumping regularly which is what some people do.

I agree to look at safe co-sleeping and feeding lying down guidance. It can be quite normal for them to panic at the idea of being put down at this age as they have been used to hearing your heartbeat etc in the womb. But very draining!

After my melt down yesterday we actually had a much better night with a couple of solid 2hr breaks. I feel so much better mentally. I struggle with my appetite when I’m stressed or tired which doesn’t help the situation. I woke up super hungry this morning so that’s a good sign too.

I’ll still contact the breast feeding specialist for advice. I could do with the reassurance if nothing else.

Thanks again everyone for taking the time to respond!

My ds who is 5 months now did this for the first 12 weeks or so, it was exhausting. I read a lot about cluster feeding online and put it down to "normal." Looking back though, I don't think he was constantly feeding, I think a lot was comfort. He also had bad reflux and I think a lot of the sucking was to ease those symptoms. Whatever it was however, it passed with age. It was tough and I think he was quite extreme but it gets much easier. They become much more interested in the world and less so in boobs. I agree with the advice re: tongue tie assessment and seeing a lactation consultant, I wish I had done that. But hey, it ended and he is still exclusively breastfed now. All the best to you, it's not easy but you'll get there!