Breastfeeding

[Eliza1996]

Hi everyone just have a query regarding breastfeeding

My baby is 3 weeks old and I’m struggling with breastfeeding - he seems to be wanting to be latched onto me 24.7 with barely any gaps. He is sleeping for no longer than 1 hour and that’s only if I take him out in the pram. Indoors he’s only having 30/40 min naps and then cries to be on my boob again. I am a single Mum so this is extremely exhausting emotionally and physically for me I barely have time to go to the toilet 😂😩 I get maybe 2 hours sleep each night if that. I heard all of this could be cluster feeding but it’s so excessive I’m worried it won’t pass. And cluster feeding I read is supposed to last a few days this is ongoing. It was the same for the first week after hospital then week 2 he slept like a dream so many naps in day and then 3/4 hour stretches in the night but this past week has been the hardest yet. Anyone experiencing the same thing ? Any advice would be so so appreciated - this is my first baby and I knew it would be difficult but the feeding is just so challenging especially being on my own! Thank you

This is just so normal. I know it feels completely overwhelming but he was inside of you so recently that this is his way of being connected and nourished at the same time! It won't always be like this. If you don't think he's getting enough at each feed and this is why he's feeding so much, do speak to your Heath visitor - or if you just want to have a chat or ask questions!!

It will pass, I promise!

It's totally normal. Clusterfeeding. It doesn't last though.

Sounds like what my son did. Was great in the day as I could watch Netflix all day. Not so great when you need to get things done though, and so exhausting at night! It will end, the days feel long when you're going through it I know!

I feel for you a was doing 8hs a day solid breastfeeding. Only way I coped was sleeping together. Husband and I are separated. Baby is ill so feeding all day. 111 told be to clean up all the sick and door handles etc. I can barely get to the loo without him losing it

That must be so hard especially as a single parent! Given your baby slept well week 2 and if they’re putting on weight I think you’ve probably just got the unlucky end of normal. I hope you’ve got some support so you can try and get a bit of sleep. My first baby was like yours sleepwise. Thinking of you!

Yep my dd was exactly like this.

Your baby sleeps for an hour in the pram - do you have anyone who'd push him around the local park for you? That's your main window when you can rest or get stuff done tbh.

It will get better but might last weeks rather than days, it did for us