constant feeding!!

[Robyn_mcl]

Hi ladies. Haven't posted in a while coz I'm so busy feeding, but just wanted some help, advice....
Bubs is 1 week old today and is feeding constant. Today has been pretty much every hour. I'll feed for.an hour, sometimes over, then he rests/sleeps for only an hour, sometimes less, then wants fed again. He has had a day where he woke 3 hourly for a feed, so thought we were getting there but then yesterday and today has been constant again.
I am feeding on demand as I think its best, but i'mconcerned at how much!
I've heard of cluster feeding, but how often and how long do they do this for? Is it normal?
I know he's taking milk as I can hear the swallowing.. And the latch is ok as nipple is not sore (only the initial attach).
I've tried the whole feeding from just one breast per feed so he can get hind milk. I've also tried feeding from both breasts 10 mins each time and swapping over until he's had enough, which I've noticed no difference.
He seems to fall asleep at the breast after 10mins, I'm waking him by moving around, blowing gently in his face etc, which helps.
I also tried only feeding every 2 hours yesterday thinking it may help at night but again it was CA sleepless might which resulted in me having to give him a bottle for some shut eye. After which slept 3.5 hours!
I don't know what to do, or if this is normal, and just go with the flow??
Any help is much appreciated so thank you in advance!! Xx

 

[Karate Kid]

Don't want to R&R hun but I expressed for the first seven weeks so I am not 100% but from what have read it is normal as they are building your supply xx

 

[jennilisanne]

I remember that with Sophia, and she was allllways feeding, I didn't do anything else for two weeks! I'm pretty sure (cos we started writing it down, although it was nearly two years ago) that she wasn't going much longer than an hour between feeds, and they were looong feeds! I think it's just what they do.

At around the 3 week mark (the most difficult point I think), I had to give her a bottle one evening because I just didn't have anything left, she'd been feeding sooo much, but after that tiny break, she seemed to slow down and my body was able to keep up.

Keep it up, sounds like you're doing fab!

 

[Rowesb]

He is still only little hun, working on getting your supply up, and probably also making the most of cuddles too, both of which are fine. It sounds as though you are doing all the right things. It might not seem like it but it will settle down

 

[cosmicgirl]

Yes!!!! This happened to me too. My lo did this at around 2 weeks, then one day in the third week then yesterday afternoon until about 10pm!!
It's normal, albeit very frustrating
It will spread out hun I promise but be prepared for the odd day where lo will want to feed all the time x

 

[jojo_2012]

The first few weeks it can be like this I'm afraid I think it was like this for us especially during the day for at least the first 2 weeks and good times and "bad" for the next couple. It's more than worth it in the end I promise.

 

[PeaPod]

As the others have said, it sounds completely normal and you are doing a grand job! Feeding on demand is exhausting and the not knowing when and for how long the next feed will be is frustrating at times but it will settle down, at least until the next growth spurt. Ive been feeding on demand since day 1 and my LO had a day last week of feeding nearly hourly during the day (he was 5 and half weeks then). I just go with the flow and eat lots of chocolate and cake! Keep up the good work!

 

[Robyn_mcl]

Thanks for all the advice ladies. Feeding on demand is tough, but I know itwill be worth it. We had a good night thur night, didn't have to substitute with a bottle, and slept 3 hourly.
I've noticed the days that we are out the house, he's not rooting as much, so not being fed as much the night is then terrible and we up feeding all night.
Last night was awful and at 4 this morning I have into a bottle to get some sleep. I feel so guilty giving him a bottles though, every time I do I suit and cry.
I tried using the pump and expressing while dh fed him the bottle, its so slow!! Does anyone know how long I should be expressing for?
Thanks ladies
X

 

[PeaPod]

What pump do you use? I have a medela swing and i find that the time i need to express will vary depending on how full my boobs feel. For example the other day it took an hour to get 5oz from both breasts and i had to do a lot of massaging. However today, after my LO had me awake every hour from 1am to 7am cluster feeding i then slept for 2 hours while DH gave a bottle of expressed milk and then iwhen i got up i had to express as was leaking and i got nearly 10oz between both and still had some left to feed again! So for me, it changes daily.
Why do you feel guilty about giving a bottle? We do it every other day or so as it enables me to get some sleep and DH can feed. Its also good getting them use to a bottle early on if you plan on leaving LO with people in the future, like we have grandma babysitting for us occasionally. X

 

[Karate Kid]

It is tough Hun but stick at it and you will notice a difference once LO reaches around 6 weeks. When you say you feel guilty about give LI bottle do you mean formula? If so the it will make your supply lessen, night feeds boost supply due to prostaglandin levels (pretty sure that's the right hormone, please correct me if I am wrong). Do whatever you feel best for you though hun. If I have got the wrong end of the stick I apologise.

I have the Madela swing and image 6-7oz in 20 mins. C is 16 weeks old though so I give it time and you will get there. Try putting a muslin over the pump to stop you watching every drop. Watch something you enjoy on the TV or read a book to pass the time. Also pump for five minutes after the last drop to promote second let down xx

 

[Robyn_mcl]

Sorry I wasn't very clear lol. Yes I mean I've had to give into formula as I hadn't started expressing yet. I wanted to know how much I should be expressing to make up for the formula feed. So if I fed him 90ml should I express 90ml?
I have a tommee tippie elect pump. Xx

 

[Karate Kid]

start off with that hun and see how LO goes, you will know if he needs more xx

 

[sazz]

Hi hun, I put a post up the other day as my LO is 6 days old and he is the same. Very hungry and I do feed in the evening and night every hour. The days are every 2 hours but I do feel like I'm constantly feeding. On the second night I used a formula bottle and felt awful but I decided to keep going and just nap when possible. You can do it hun. I know how tough it is. It's all about them getting your supply up and bonding with you. It will all space out soon. X x

 

[jennilisanne]

Don't feel guilty about giving a bottle every now and then hun! If it helps him and you sleep then it's best! Won't be long before you're both in a routine and you won't need it so often!