Growth spurt?

[OopsyDaisy]

All day today and tonight the LO has been BF constantly. I don't think there's been a gap longer than 1 hour where i didn't feed her. She would fall asleep at the breast, then when I put her down into her cot, she'd be screaming for more. I tried giving her a dummy to settle her, which normally works but she just spits it out, wanting the breasts instead. Is this a growth spurt she's going through? I can't work out where all the breast milk is going, surely her tiny stomach would become full, but she just hasn't stopped. Is this normal?

 

[valentine]

Definitely, definitely normal. My daughter had a huge growth spurt at 2 weeks and fed all day (A-L-L day) for a couple of days I think (it's all a blur) - she went from 8lb 9oz to 9lb 11oz in one week all on my milk (average weight gain is about 0.5lb a week)!

Put your feet up, cancel the visitors unless they have come to cook and tidy for you and get a couple of films to watch or a good book and just roll with it - easier said than done, I know.

If she's feeding, she needs it - breastfed babies are excellent at controlling their intake like magic. They'll feed more when they need it (during a growth spurt for example) and other days I am left with my top soaking as she just doesn't need as much. If you are getting sore nipples, then make sure you get some Laninsoh cream (sold in Boots, Mothercare, John Lewis etc) - it's amazing stuff and you don't have to wash it off between feeds.

I don't have much experience of screaming when putting her down (my babe likes her kip!), but are you winding her, keeping in upright after feeds (in case of mild reflux) or could it be colic?

I promise it won't last forever - stick with it, you'll be so glad you did, I am - but no-one ever tells you how hard it is.

Love

Valentine xxx