Is this cluster feeding or is there something wrong with my baby?

[glasshalffull0]

4 day old baby has been put on a feeding plan as she lost 11% weight due to my milk coming in late- it only just came in late last night. Started following the plan and was going well but through the night baby got progressively fussier and gaps between feeds got shorter

This morning we’re at the stage where I will feed her on both boobs, put her down and 1 minute later she starts screaming bloody murder until I feed her again. She’ll then feed for about 15 minutes on each side then cycle starts again

I am utterly exhausted, I have had no sleep and I am at the end of my tether. It feels like she will never ever ever stop feeding and like what I’m giving her isn’t enough

Is this what cluster feeding is? How long did it last for your newborn? Will she ever stop feeding from me?

Are you winding her?

It sounds like it, and after a slowish start I would expect to be feeding a new born for 20 mins in almost every hour for the next few days. Even though your milk has not been ‘in’ how frequently have you been feeding? Day 4 not that late in the scheme of things.

@DustyLee123 yeah she doesn’t bring much up but she hasn’t pooed in over 48 hours due to her weight loss

The more she feeds the more it encourages your body to produce milk. Let her feed when she asks for it and after a while things will get better as you will produce more and she will become a more efficient feeder. She’s probably making up for lost time a bit too.

It sounds a bit like my first was with feeding but give your midwife a call later this morning if you are concerned.
Mine did used to conk out eventually but I remember spending many, many hours on the sofa with her feeding in the early weeks. It sounds like she is building your supply. Make sure you are drinking and eating plenty to fuel yourself.

@Spacecrispsnack it was around every 2-3 hours on average she’d be fed before this change

It’s ok. I remember this. She is only 4 days old and is still learning how to breastfeed. She will get better at it and breastfeed faster and get more milk.

I got comfortable on the couch and binge watched tv. I set myself up with snacks and water for me.

It’s ok, it will get better and you are doing great. 💖💐

I agree with @ImustLearn2Cook it is hard but this phase is really short - your milk supply will increase rapidly with frequent feeds. You’ll still be feeding quite often, but she will settle, for another couple of days you might still be building volume for her.

Feeding patterns change all the time at this age, usually just when you think you’ve got a handle on what’s happening.
I second the box set, with food and drink within reach.

I think with my second, I spent a stretch of 8 hours with her attached to my boobs either feeding or sleep feeding/comfort sucking. I couldn’t get her off without her crying. My god, my boobs really kicked off the day after that though. It was very effective. It dialled down over the next day or two. Maybe my boobs started making richer milk? Or more milk?

drink plenty, eat well, and write off all other plans.

Yep 👍🏻 i remember the early days of breastfeeding i binge watched 3 different tv series as i was pretty much constantly glued to the sofa with baby, it does get better, my baby is nearly 6 months now and feeds every 2-3 hours- except at night where she will do a 5-6 hour stint, keep going you’re doing great xx

Thank you everyone it’s made me cry knowing so many others of you are in solidarity (damn baby hormones!) it’s the lack of sleep that’s taking it out on me today after having no sleep last night either

You're doing great!

I recall these strange times. Give yourself over to it. Have plenty of healthy snacks to hand (I liked muesli at this time), stay hydrated, get as comfy as you can.

Reduce any expectations to do anything else for a while.

You are both learning so much, going through big changes.

You are doing a really great job & things will settle down, and you will both get more comfortable and it gets much easier.

For now, take it easy & grab a shower when you can.

Congratulations

Stay in bed as much as you can dozing between feeds and drink plenty. At this stage years ago you would still be in hospital with support around you and expected to do nothing else . If your dp is there get him to take baby even out of the room for the short while after each feed so you can even have a 10 minute doze. This will pass as your milk supply increases and your baby makes up for lost time. Do nothing else except rest and feed.

Yes, this sounds like cluster feeding, which is common for newborns. It’s a phase where babies feed more frequently, often in the evening, to increase milk supply and comfort themselves. For most babies, cluster feeding lasts a few days to a week. It will eventually pass, and the feeding schedule will become more predictable as your milk supply stabilizes.

Have you got someone who can hold her for an hour or two while you try and get a bit of sleep?

I asked my partner to sit next to me while I lay down on the bed and breastfed lying on my side. I asked him to keep an eye on us to make sure that I didn’t roll on top of her. He did and I got to have a sleep. When I woke up I found him sitting on the couch holding her on his bare chest watching tv. It was really sweet to see her snuggled up to him having skin to skin contact and bonding.

Could your dp do similar so that you can get some sleep?

And/or you could look at the safe co-sleeping guidance and just go to bed with her if that is right for you. Perfecting feeding while you sleep is so useful, although I don’t think it was happening for me quite this early. I’m fairly sure I couldn’t feed awake and lying down this early either, but it’s worth a try as you have a different baby, body and breasts.