Non stop feeding at five days old?

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Is this cluster feeding?! I wasn’t expecting it so soon

Had a bit of trouble getting started with bf but think I’ve cracked it now - DS had just church’s and he had lost weight but less than ten percent so they were happy

He’s been a big night walker and feeder since bf clicked but since my milk came in yesterday it’s been pretty much non stop at night

Tonight he’s fed pretty constantly for the last three hours and every time I put him in the cot all drowsy and milk drunk within minutes he’s squirming and crying and sucking loudly on his hands. As soon as I put him back on he’s ducking away again

I was wondering if I’ve not got a good latch and he’s not getting enough each time? Or is this normal for five days old?!

Mine is like this too, though a couple of weeks now and so it's settling more- except in evenings.

Some babies seem to be little and often (my dc1), while others like your dc and miy dc2 go through continual feedings in clusters.

Thanks for posting, it’s so hard to know what’s normal or not! I’m worried he’s getting cold with me constantly having him in and out of the cot. Do you keep yours wrapped in blankets while feeding?

He’s literally been in his cot for about two minutes and is now squealing and whining and munching his fingers again 😫
I knew it would be hard but I didn’t realise the feeding could be this relentless

Yep, it is, but it gets easier, and at least you can just plug him in, no making bottles or faffing around.
Congratulations on the birth of your son.

Thank you
I’m worried I’m not going to be able to stay awake if it goes on all night

Mine too.

12 days old, last 4-5 evenings has spent 5-6+ hrs on and off the boob.... zzzzzzz

Exactly the same as my DD OP. I'm currently sat watching friends on Netflix with a cup of tea whilst she feeds naps feeds naps. Tried putting her in her Moses basket twice so far after falling fast asleep at the boob but it wakes her up instantly every time. I've given up trying to get her to sleep in her bed and let her sleep on me most of the time. Me and DP are working it in shifts at the min, so he's currently in bed and will get up at 5. I'll feed the try and go to bed for 2-3 hours whilst DD sleeps on him. Don't know what I'll do when DP has to go back to work but I'll worry about that then
I completely understand the tiredness, I have to have plenty to eat and drink to help keep me awake, and have to try and get a nap before the night feeding starts. Tonight I managed to get 11pm till 1am before settling in for the night feeds.

Thanks for the tips. DH has set up the box room with Netflix and chairs but it’s a bit cold in there so I was worried about keeping him warm but it might keep me awake at least!

We are doing shifts as well so come 5 DH will sit up with him so I can nap, hopefully he will have finished feeding by then.

I’ve just put him down and he’s gone off but now he’s doing slightly wheezy breaths 😫

Warming up his spot in the cot/moses basket with a hot water bottle can sometimes help with snuggling into a good sleep. Sometimes their own bed feels all wrong and cold after getting used to nuzzling against your warm body!

Thanks for posting, it’s so hard to know what’s normal or not! I’m worried he’s getting cold with me constantly having him in and out of the cot. Do you keep yours wrapped in blankets while feeding?

I know it's a minefield isn't it? And they are all so different.

I don't until the end of the feed, then i do to help sleepiness but both my dc were chronic sleepyheads so i had to try to keep them awake.

I must admit i did express a week ago to give my nipples a break, so painful they were. Dh then fed so i got a precious extra hour.

Oh I remember this well, we had about two weeks of DD3 feeding from midnight to 5/6am, pretty much constantly, when my milk came in. It’s totally normal and just helping to establish supply. I know it’s a cliche but you really must sleep when baby sleeps. DD is now 13 weeks and sleep/feeding much more reliable and get a good 6-8 hour run of sleep and have done for about 4/5 weeks so there is hope!

If you're worried about falling asleep on the job, so to speak, you could try feeding lying on your side in bed. I only had success with this when DD was about 4mo+ but she was tiny (2kg when born). A midwife showed me when we were in hospital.

I don't do it a lot but it's been a lifesaver during desperate times such as all-night cluster feeding and the 4 month sleep regression when DD would only sleep with someone holding her and woke instantly when put down. Once she got used to being next to me rather than on me she could just feed back to sleep and we bypassed the 'putting down' part because she was already on the bed. Look up the 'safe 7' if you're going to bed share in this way, but it might just save your sanity and is much safer than falling asleep in a chair holding the baby.

Your milk supply will be lower in the evening and night, so you could try expressing a small bottle in the morning that you (or DH) can give to him at night to try to get a longer rest.

Also, feed him as much as you can in the day - even if that means waking him - so he'll get most of his needs during day nor night.

Good luck!

Sounds totally normal. It might be that your milk hasn’t come in properly yet, so be ready for that - my boobs felt like bags of hot Lego!

It does get easier! I cried solidly from days 5-7 and then it all just stopped into place. Oh those night feeds with tiny plump faces and peepy black eyes!!!

Oh also, if your DS is big enough you could try a sleep sack - that way he stays cosy whether in or out of the cot and you don't have to risk waking him by tucking him back in

Thank you for the solidarity and advice it’s surprisingly helpful to know you’re not alone!

Both mine fed non stop from birth, and I mean non stop. Both massive babies though just very hungry, even when I moved to formula.

He’s totally nocturnal at the moment - during the day I have to wake him for feeds as he’s so zonked out, probably because he’s up all night!

Last night he was feeding in the end until 5am and then didnt eat for ages, I had to wake him after four hours! I imagine we are in for the same tonight.