Breastfeeding mums, please give me some inspiration!

[stephj25]

Olivia has been cluster feeding throughout the afternoons and evenings. At night, she is pretty much constantly feeding.

I am really exhausted and ready to switch to formula. Please can you give me some inspiration to stick to it? does this period ever end?

 

[ISH]

Yes, it will end, just hang on, it will be worth it She's doing the right thing to boost your milk supply, just grab a load of DVDs to watch while feeding and make sure they're funny!

 

[ShadowWolf]

You'll get through it hun, just stick to your guns. I did 7-8 months with my LO and there were definately more pleasant moments than unpleasant. The first 6 weeks is the hardest I think and once you're over those first growth spurts it settles down.

Good luck! Xx

 

[pinkyprincess]

It gets so much better! Make the most of baby cuddles and not having to do the cooking/cleaning! You are doing amazingly well stick at it! Xx

 

[winnie89]

same as the other ladies have said the first 6 weeks are the hardest but then whats better to sit all day and do nothing, have you tried lying down to feed her a night i felt so much better lying down than sitting up (just make sure u dont fall asleep, or if you do you have someone to move her once she's finished, just so you dont roll over on to her) xx

 

[jojo_2012]

The Steph 2 weeks from now will thank you for all the hard work you're putting in now trust me.

I remember those evenings where it felt like it would never end. Crying eating crying eating, wondering is there even any milk in there to be going on with?. Things are much better now and everything's 2nd nature to us and if we hadn't persevered through those difficult times we wouldn't be where we are now. Now horrible bottles to scrub no screaming babies waiting for the kettle to boil it's lovely.

 

[beckyboo1]

Don't give up!!!

You're only 2 weeks on and baby is just trying to get supplies up and you milk regulated

It does get better I promise. Like the others have said just forget about anything else and concentrate on feeding her

Don't forget you're also still tred as you're still recovering from giving birth so that will get better too

Sleep when she does and enjoy feeding her.

I promise it does get better and there's no guarantee of you switched to formula it would be any better. You then be spending time making up feeds and sterilising when you're knackered

Keep coming here for inspiration to keep going we're all here for you x

 

[Sarah13]

Hang in there, they all go through this and you think it will never end but the cluster feeding is important for your milk supply and is normal behaviour. They often do this during growth spurts. Just try to relax and go with it, I've found its a great excuse to get out of doing chores!

 

[Mrsstuart01]

I'm so glad you asked this as I was wondering exactly the same thing! Seems to be a never ending night at the moment with pretty much no sleep! So good to hear there is light at the end of the tunnel! Xx

 

[Nurse 26]

Yes! It gets better, its so worth sticking to it try and relax and grab some sleep when you can! Also eat and drink plenty to keep your energy up!x

 

[TORino]

Hang in there Hun, it gets better!!

 

[stephj25]

thanks everyone!! but when does it start getting better?

 

[beckyboo1]

It all depend on your LO but I would say by end of third week I felt more human and Harrys feeds had settled down

He still feeds a lot but it settled onto a 2 hour pattern during the day x

 

[mum2b410]

Well done for sticking at it this long hun! It is so worth persevering......u will get thru the tiredness and things will settle down! I won't lie, it may take a few more weeks yet but it WILL settle! This is the hardest time......lying down to feed at night was my saviour, so if u can manage it safely I would def do that! .....I combi feed now so I know what ff and bf r like- I don't think I'd have coped with ff on demand in the early days personally- obviously people do but looking back it was so much easier to bf! U r doing a great job providing for ur LO and yes, it is bloody tiring but just try and keep going a bit longer and it will get better! Xxx

 

[Sarah13]

Do you have any local support groups? They are a massive help. It took about 6 weeks for us to settle but Kynon has always been quite needy and greedy so has a lot of cluster feeds most evenings but Im used to it now and just try to relax and enjoy the closeness as I know how quickly time flies!

 

[pinkyprincess]

There's also a thread on here ATM about co-sleeping. It's not everyone's cup of tea but we all seem to do it, even I'd it's in the morning to get an extra hour or 2 in bed. That's been my saviour! I was also thinking the other day, my baby barely ever cries of hunger because he doesn't have to wait for a bottle, wherever we are he can be fed! I liked that thought!

 

[AndreaJayne]

I had this with my little boy at around 2 weeks, he was feeding like every 30 mins and I couldn't get anything done. I think it lasted for a few days, following this all my milk came in which was painful and then a few days later things got so much easier, Joshua is now 6 weeks old and things are great no pain, no latching on problems, no engorgement and he feeds now every 3 hours xxx I was so close to packing it in so many times and I stuck it and it got better in time. xxxx