Overnight cluster feeding newborn

[whyyy321]

Is this normal? Second baby but first was formula fed. Has been feeding almost constantly since midnight, maybe dozed for 20 min twice? Had something similar for 2 nights, maybe 3 days ago. Baby is 6 days old so happened day 3,4 and 6 I think.

Was weighed day 3 and lost 8% body weight, weighted yesterday day 5 and hadn't gained (but hadn't lost).

Is this cluster feeding? Or is she hungry and I have a poor supply? She's content on boob but angry off, I just checked and there is still milk coming if I hand express despite 6 hours of constant feeding.

I don't mind if it's actually meant to happen! Desperately want bf to work this time. Surely she's full and knackered??

It sounds like you have a situation you are happy with. No one gets to take anything from you keep the one formulae feed in the evening have your rest and keep breast feeding the rest of the day as it sound like you like that. I know one person who did something similar whos breast milk ‘dried up’ at 7 months Thats ages and ages away get to 6 months and the if there is a problem deal with it then ( also know loads of people where it worked beautifully). If professionals are hassling you just lie providing the baby is gaining weight and you have found your groove. Also this waking the baby thing. Do it if you want but you also don’t have to if u don’t want. I know several breast fed babies who where going 6 hours overnight at 6 weeks and they alwhere all EBF and are happy healthy toddlers now. They did all clusterfeed at other times of day though so where doing mega evening feeds then big sleep then spacing feeds so did have 7-8 feeds in 24 hours but not evenly spaced. Do what works for you OP happy mum happy baby. Good
luck.

Honestly I think you getting rest is the most important thing along with baby gaining weight which it seems both are happening. I remember my first was breastfed and started sleeping 6-8 hour stretches at around 8 weeks. No supply issues at all, unfortunately the good sleep didn’t last long so I would say enjoy the rest while you are getting it.
My first also fed all day- I’m confident there was no supply issues are she jumped centiles. She just loved feeding, breastfeeding is about so much more than just nutrition.

I'm no professional but baby is gaining weight, sleeping well and happy generally therefore I wouldn't worry about your supply. You are doing the exact same thing as me. Feeding on demand in the day which is a lot. One FF. I'm just not waking in the night to feed, mine currently sleeps 11-6:30 my supply is there if she wakes in the night but I'm not uncomfortable if she goes the full time, I don't expect her to keep this up mind.

Thanks everyone. Sometimes it feels like the professionals are just unrealistic in how bf "should" be done, and it feels impossible especially with a toddler rushing about - my HV is luckily very reasonable and supportive and tells me to do what ever will make me bf longest even if that's combi feeding, expressing, whatever. Am aware sleep can and will change - my son had an awful 4m regression and woke hourly for about 6 months! So I'd like to just appreciate this whilst I can!

If it dries up after 6m I'm ok with that, I'm due back to work probably about 9/10 months and after expressing with my son I have already decided I won't express when back at work and will wean off bf by then anyway. I couldn't stand having to express again!

Not yet a qualified LC but ... what we would like to see is baby feeding/milk removed at least once between 12-4am to keep your supply high. You're doing this.

Most of all, you are happy with the situation. If you were to come to me with where you're at, my first question would be, are you happy with this? Are you good with sticking with the bedtime bottle or are you wanting to drop it? And if you're good with keeping it, great, carry on. Your LC should be helping you meet your breastfeeding goals.

That's interesting @CocoPlum - I want to keep the bottle, as it's nice for dad to have that feed (and for me to eventually feel I can go out after bedtime!)

It’s fine. By 6-8 weeks supply is getting well established so there’s no longer the need to do the very frequent feeds you need to do early on to get the supply to increase.
Mine slept through by eight weeks (6 hours a night by 6 weeks) and I found supply was much better after I got more sleep. Again, it wasn’t what the “professional” thought would work but my mental health was struggling so I kept doing what felt right for me.
It just means your supply adjusts because you don’t need it during the night.

I eventually BF for over three years. I didn’t do a night feed after the 6-8 week point.

Just in case anyone is still there - random question, dd is usually constipated and poos every 3 or 4 days but today has pooed 6 times in 24 hours. Is this a bug or just a clear out? No temperature. I'm terrified it's a bug and that it'll wipe her weight out again :(

Is it normal consistency or really runny? Any signs of discomfort?

Normal I think, it's more the frequency that's upsetting me! She's done 8/9 since 3pm or so yday. They smell usual, but one was a bit green this morning - done another since which has gone more towards a normal colour I'd say. They aren't huge, one blowout which started things off and now just small ones. She's still feeding as usual and has just been awake for 2 hours so I wouldn't say lethargic at the moment.

My worry is weight loss because she was only 6lb at birth and then took 4 weeks to get back to that birth weight, then another 2 weeks to show any meaningful gain. Bf now going well I think and she gets 1 formula feed a day to add in extra calories. I'm so worried about this wiping her out or making me ill and that affecting my supply thus also affecting her weight :(

if she’s feeding well, alert and the only change is the pooping, it probably isn’t a bug. Excessive dirty nappies was our first symptom of CMPA, any other signs or symptoms?

Feed her as often as you can, hopefully it’ll pass

Ended up in hospital overnight with her to monitor for dehydration, home now but still going - best gap we've had is 3 hours but other times hourly. I'm so stressed, she's fine other than that and is feeding, possibly slightly less than usual in terms of length but wanting to feed as normal. And some feeds are totally normal.

I'm feeling overwhelmed and getting upset as each nappy happens as I know this can last days and it doesn't feel we are getting anywhere.

I'm also emetophobic so feeling extra stressed about contagion and how ill cope if one of the rest of us catches it

Having a hard time!