Struggling to manage

[sleepyhoglet]

My baby is 5 weeks old. I have an older child and I breastfed them no problem until over a year and really enjoyed it. I stupidly assumed it would be the same this time. This baby is constantly on the boob, when he is finished or falls asleep I cannot put him down as he screams. I thought there was something badly wrong with him. He simply will not settle.

In desperation, I tried a bottle at 10pm and he takes it and then sleeps for 2-3 hours in his crib and not on me (I am terrified of harming him when he sleeps on top of me).

I am now realising for some reason, breast feeding is just not helping him to settle and is leaving me with only 2-3 hours of broken sleep every 24 hours.

Again, in desperation I gave him a bottle this morning at 9am and he has given me 3 hrs of rest.

I feel like I might need to give up on breastfeeding or maybe combi feed but I feel so lost. I need to be able to rest and also get things done (eg eat breakfast!) without him screaming at me as it is making me feel sick. Not sure what I'm asking but maybe advice from anyone who has been in this situation.

Anyone?

Don’t put pressure on yourself - babies can be hard work. If bottle feeding is giving you some sanity then do that, and don’t beat yourself up about it! I have 4 children from 6 months to 18 and all were fed totally differently - one breast, two combi and one bottle and guess what? None are ‘healthier’ than each other so it’s really not worth stressing yourself out about. Do what feels easiest and right for you.

Have you got a sling? They love the sling and it gives you your hands back! But yet give a bottle if it gives you some relief, it's okay! You could express also. My baby will go between bottle and breast and I express so much partner does some evening feeds.

Your previous babies sounds very easy and this one sounds like a typical newborn who wants skin to skin. Remember in the fourth trimester you are their whole world! If you can put baby in the sling and express that might be a good option.

I am now realising for some reason, breast feeding is just not helping him to settle and is leaving me with only 2-3 hours of broken sleep every 24 hours.

^ this was me with my newborn last year. I got through it by having dad hold baby in between feeds and neither of us putting baby down. Got so much better at 12 weeks. Still breastfeeding now and love it. You're so early on! Lower your expectations of your baby.