Feeding taking over life?

[Peony99]

I'm EBF my 2 week old, and it seems to be going really well. She is gaining weight, it seems relatively straightforward, and I'm enjoying it.

But the process does seem to be taking over my life. If she's not eating, I'm burping her or thinking about the next feed.

Everything I do is around the feeding schedule (such as this is at this age). Which is exactly right of course, but just wondering if I'll feel like this in three months/ six months?

That's normal with a newborn, it's all-consuming at that stage. But it'll get easier, by three months she should be going longer between feeds so you'll get more of a break from it and life will start to feel a bit more normal. Then around six months you can start weaning - so you'll be thinking about another type of feeding all the time then

Congratulations!!

She will get a lot more efficient as well, so feeds with get a lot quicker!

The first few weeks make you feel like a dairy cow, constantly being milked! I found the first 4 weeks the hardest with cluster feeding but it won’t be long before you find your own routine and she won’t need to feed as much. I expressed and gave a bottle from very early on, which gave me chance to catch up on sleep while DH did the 10pm feed. It worked well for us and meant DS never had problem taking bottle x

It feels all consuming now... But it does get easier I promise.
Around 8 weeks they feed for far less time. I saw a friend with a 5 month old who took 10 minutes and I was like whoa I forgot how fast they get!

Hang on in there... Its so worth it later on.

Really soon this time will seem like a distant memory. What you're doing now is helping set up a strong supply. Also your baby will get much more efficient. Stick with it, you're doing great. This is the most intense time.

Thank you all! She's been feeding pretty much constantly since 7pm today (thank goodness for box sets), so it's reassuring that this won't last forever.

You are doing amazing! This is the most intense but important time. As you probably know, although another poster mentioned expressing, it's recommended not to express during the first 6 weeks while your supply is being established. I'd recommend having a chat to the health visitor before starting to express to talk about the pros and cons.

Also have a 2weeker, OP, and he also does massive cluster feeds all evening - and yes, I find it difficult and stressful and no, I’m surprised to find that I really don’t enjoy it!

We’ve actually started giving him a mix of breast and formula of an evening and that seems to settle him well for the night. Feeding does feel all-controlling atm, though!

I was like that with DS and then at 4 weeks something changed and he started sleeping for 2 hour stretches

I have a 5 week old and definitely felt the same way you do!! I have found the nights of cluster feeding so challenging.

Now she's 5 weeks I've noticed she's going a little longer between feeds, 2-3 hours but that can all go out the window!

If you are keen to carry on EBF (as I am) it seems that you have to make peace with the fact that it takes over your life for the first few weeks/months. But it sounds like in the long run it becomes a lot easier (praying for this!!)

Keep it up, your baby is growing and changing everyday thanks to you and your amazing body.

From one drained, sleep deprived mumma to another x