Baby breastfeeding all the time

[CycleGirl20]

My 2 week old newborn is feeding all of the time. We're currently on hour 3 and she's cried twice after she fell asleep and I thought she was done so took her off. She started today at 4 am, feeding 15 minutes of every hour until around 11. Then she fell asleep for 2 hours. Then at 2 she did a long feed of about an hour 15 before a 45 minute nap and then into the 3 hour feed.

I had tried to distract her from feeding by taking her for walks which seems to knock her out. But she's not gained weight this week so I'm thinking she needs to eat this much. Has anyone else experienced this? When I ask friends in pregnancy/birth groups they all say their baby feeds about 30 minutes in 3 hours. Mine will happily do 2 3 hour feeds a day, plus maybe a 2 hour. Looking for reassurance I'm not alone really, given she's not gained weight so it looks like it needs to be this way.

My Ds fed every 45-90mins, day and night, until he was around 11months. At 2 weeks he definitely could eat at 7am for 20mins, then need another feed at 8am

So cluster feeding is totally normal, and wanting to feed all the time at this age is normal, but these are very long feeds. How does it feel for you? Has she got a deep latch? How’s nappy output and weight gain? I ask as very long feeds could be a sign she’s not feeding as efficiently as she could be due to bad latch and/or tongue tie.

The first six weeks, if I remember correctly, are the cluster feeling weeks. I recall not moving for hours at a time, a good boxset, plenty of water and snacks.

They are establishing the supply.

Cluster feeding. They feed lots to generate a good supply of milk. They won’t actually be taking in any more than they actually need though. It’s exhausting but perfectly normal, won’t last forever (mine would have a few days of it, then feed normally, then go back to cluster phases, on and off for the first month or two). Just enjoy the cuddles whilst a cluster phase happens.

That’s quite normal at that age and it’s also super hot right now - mine was born in July 2019 when it was really hot and had a similar feeding pattern - I also ended up with the best supply of my NCT group!

Thanks all. She's got a good latch and no tongue tie. I'm hoping it doesn't last the whole time she's feeding. Sounds like I need to adapt to her feeding this way for the first 6 weeks and then she might grow out of it

The first 6-8 weeks are definitely the most intense. Your best bet is to lean into it, get comfy with snacks and some good TV and don’t worry about anything else 🙂

It’s totally normal and you need to make sure you’re eating and drinking loads to get your supply up

if you think she’s just suckling for comfort you could always try a dummy so that when she does feed she’s properly hungry instead of just snacking and you might get more full feeds, but the best thing to do is to get comfy with a box set and some biscuits and enjoy it!

Thanks all. I'd started to take her out in her baby carrier and managed a few 4km walks. I had this image of us getting up to 10km, but when she's in the sling she falls asleep for long periods and doesn't ask for food. So our midwife has said no more walking, so biscuits and sofa for us it is 😅. I wonder how these women who get their fitness back so quickly do it! It sounds like this is really common though. I'm just hoping it is the first few weeks and not 6 months

At about 4-6 weeks my little girl could have easily only have a 15min break between feeds. It was tough.

@CycleGirl20 just came to say you're doing great . It's definitely not easy, I'm going through it with DC2 now. She won't always be eating all the time, and remember, breastfeeding is great for burning calories too 😅. Hope there's some balance for you very soon!

@MollyRover thank you! It is tough right. I totally did not expect her to be able to eat constantly for hours on end. She managed 14:15-23:00 yesterday with a couple of 45 minute breaks and several 15 minute breaks. At least we got a good night's sleep though!

Just wanted to make sure baby is having at least 6-8 wet nappies in each 24h?
If so all good and it'll definitely calm down soon. Their tummies are just expanding right now and can't hold much yet.
Hope you've got someone to bring you constant drinks and snacks!!

Is the baby back to birth weight? I’d actually try (maybe for one day just to see how it goes) leaving her to sleep for a longer stretch then when she’s properly awake and alert feed her then, see if you’re getting better feedings that way

Mine would snack if I let them graze on the boob for hours whereas if I leave it a little longer they take much much more milk through having big, full feedings

@Ihavekids she does yes. She's on the 3rd nappy already this morning. The midwife has checked her latch and that she's swallowing, etc, which she is.

She and you are both in the early days of establishing breast feeding. You should be resting up, and drinking and eating plenty. She should be feeding whenever she wants at this age.. and this is likely to be very frequently and often for long periods.

If it's more than normal for her she's probably having a growth spurt which would make sense if she has not gained weight. It should calm down (a little at least)

Whilst I full agree with this being within the realm of normal baby behaviour/cluster feeding/middle of a heatwave etc, I would be inclined to go to a breastfeeding support group that had a qualified lactation consultant.

I was told constantly (by midwife and hv) that dc2 was feeding really well - she was gaining weight but the feeds were literally non stop with barely a break. Visited the LC that I had used with dc1 and straight away she noticed her tongue tie and associated issues. TT was snipped soon after and the days of constant feeding were gone.

My little girl is 16 days old and I am going through exactly the same! I was hoping to enjoy some of the nice weather today but instead it’s reruns of catfish sitting on the sofa while she eats and eats!

@Jupiter92 the heat makes it worse too right! Covered in breastfeeding pillows on a sofa in these temperatures 🥵

My baby boy fed for hours on hours I kid you not, 11am - 6pm cluster feeding and I lost the plot thinking he was starving and I wasn’t making enough milk.

Check with a lactation consultant for any tongue tie or medical issues as this could be really supportive for first time mums (like I was!)

Don’t compare your feeding journey with others as sometimes your baby just wants to nurse at their own pace, which sadly does end up in whole reruns of tv series. Your doing really well
and baby is lucky your giving all your attention and devotion to them, mum life is challenging you got this! xx