When Charlotte is breastfeeding she is doing it in 3 or 4 stages, falling properly asleep inbetweeen but as soon as i put her down she is screaming for more. It is taking 2 hours just to feed her and i am getting quite upset and down by this. I know she is still tiny but is this normal or has anyone got any advice. I am finding it especially hard at night as i just cannot settle her and do not want to give up on breastfeeding but am not sure how much longer i can cope with this. I feel a bit of a failure
Please help
- Thread starter nikkif
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I think Tia went through a similar thing.. It honestly felt like I was feeding her every half hour and through the night... I nearly gave up too... But it gets easier.. you are only on day 9 and the first couple of weeks are always rough... Don't feel like a failure, you're not the only person to go through this...
I used to give Tia a top up of formula from a cup of a night time which seemed to settle her more at night, then continue breast feeding through the night... Basically, I would breast feed her then, give her some formula before she went to sleep in her cot.
Also don't let her fall asleep while feeding...I found out really quickly that Tia had a nasty habit of using my breast as a comforter, and I quickly introduced a proper dummy to give my breast a rest. Generally if they fall asleep because the breast is comforting, they don't eat properly so they wake up still hungry... Tickle her feet when she drops off or blow gently in her face to keep her awake.
I used to give Tia a top up of formula from a cup of a night time which seemed to settle her more at night, then continue breast feeding through the night... Basically, I would breast feed her then, give her some formula before she went to sleep in her cot.
Also don't let her fall asleep while feeding...I found out really quickly that Tia had a nasty habit of using my breast as a comforter, and I quickly introduced a proper dummy to give my breast a rest. Generally if they fall asleep because the breast is comforting, they don't eat properly so they wake up still hungry... Tickle her feet when she drops off or blow gently in her face to keep her awake.
Hi nikki,
I've moved this to Feeding & Nutrition, where you'll hopefully get more help and advice from b/feeding mums.
For what its worth from an inexperienced b/feeder (only been doing it 8 weeks), please persevere. The first couple of weeks are so so hard and I think most people have problems in one way or the other.
I can't really help on the falling asleep while feeding then sleeping as my daughter was such a gannet she didn't do this - but maybe try and get some sleep or a bath and let someone else look after Charlotte for an hour or so so you can get some me time back.
I promise it'll get easier - you won't be feeding for 2 hours for much longer - she will settle and feed less as she gets a bit older.
to you.
Valentine xxx
P.S. You are NOT a failure - listen to me. You are her mum - please don't think this.
I've moved this to Feeding & Nutrition, where you'll hopefully get more help and advice from b/feeding mums.
For what its worth from an inexperienced b/feeder (only been doing it 8 weeks), please persevere. The first couple of weeks are so so hard and I think most people have problems in one way or the other.
I can't really help on the falling asleep while feeding then sleeping as my daughter was such a gannet she didn't do this - but maybe try and get some sleep or a bath and let someone else look after Charlotte for an hour or so so you can get some me time back.
I promise it'll get easier - you won't be feeding for 2 hours for much longer - she will settle and feed less as she gets a bit older.
to you.Valentine xxx
P.S. You are NOT a failure - listen to me. You are her mum - please don't think this.
Echoing the above, the first couple of weeks can be so hard. Stick at it, you're doing great. If you find Charlotte is falling asleep every time she feeds, change her nappy or burp her to wake her up a bit, then try again. You can also try blowing gently onto her cheek/ear when she starts to doze off.
You're doing fantastic, just keep at it and it will be so worth it in a couple of weeks!
You're doing fantastic, just keep at it and it will be so worth it in a couple of weeks!
trixipaws
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aww hun, i kno its so so hard at first! u done so well tho 2 get 2 9 days! it is normal, she is learning, it will get easier i promise. after about 3 weeks. do u mean she falls asleep while latched on? its hard work sucking for newborns and it really tires them. 2 rouse her again, stroke her cheek or blow gently on her face. if she comes off, burp her then offer her more, keep doing it til she refuses any more. she might b cryin when u put her down coz she wants a cuddle, try keepin ur hand on her tummy 4 a bit after u put her down, so she dont think u'v gone away. good luck xxx
Fluffy Bunny
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As above really, just offering some
She sounds a bit like Evie when she was first born, she was always falling asleep after a few minutes of being on the boob. Strip her down to her vest before she feeds and as she starts dozing off tickle behind her ears or wiggle her toes, anything to remind her shes meant to be feeding not sleeping!
It is hard to begin with but you can do it!
She sounds a bit like Evie when she was first born, she was always falling asleep after a few minutes of being on the boob. Strip her down to her vest before she feeds and as she starts dozing off tickle behind her ears or wiggle her toes, anything to remind her shes meant to be feeding not sleeping!
It is hard to begin with but you can do it!
i watched that prog that was on itv1 about breastfeeding etc. tehy said if u cant breastfeed then dont think u failed cause u havnt. your doing a very good job by going this far with your daughter. i managed about 2days if that and felt like i failed her and i actually cried abit felt emotional. am jsut writing this lol
anyway try ya best and stick with it if u canif u cant then dont worry. i think its he body warmth and the temperature of the milk sets them sleepy
anyway try ya best and stick with it if u canif u cant then dont worry. i think its he body warmth and the temperature of the milk sets them sleepy
