FTM needs help--she doesn't get full

PBear93 · August 2012

I feed my 10 day old about every 2-3 hours all day but then around 5/6 pm she just eats and eats and won't stop! She screams if I stop feeding her. This will last well past midnight. It's like she can't get full. I don't know what to do or try. Please help!

tokenhoser · August 2012

This is called "cluster feeding" and it's NORMAL. Deep breath.

The best thing you can do is let her stay on the breast as much as possible. Learn to feed lying down. If you're willing, learn to feed lying down in a safely prepared bed so if you fall asleep it's okay.

https://kellymom.com/parenting/parenting-faq/fussy-evening/

https://kellymom.com/bf/normal/newborn-nursing/

PBear93 · August 2012

She'll nurse for 7+ hours and still be inconsolably fussy. The hospital gave us a few instant bottles because my milk took forever to come in (after having an emergency c-section, I had a bleed in my belly and had another emergency surgery and blood transfusion). She gets so fussy I can't get her to latch--she fights back against me. After 7 hours of trying to feed her I get so frustrated that I just give her one of the bottles and she downs it and will finally begin to settle a little.

tokenhoser · August 2012

Did you read the links?

If you offer formula, you're not telling your body to make more milk. This will lower your supply and make the problem worse, eventually leading to more and more formula.

How is her weight? How is her diaper output?

00jennifer00 · August 2012

She could be getting gassy from the crying. They suck in a lot of air while wailing. Can you try some infant gas drops? Does a change of scenery help to get her started? If you go in a quiet dark room to get started before she gets angry, maybe she'll be able to get going before she gets too hungry.

Are you drinking enough water? Are you anemic? C/s, especially with bleeding issues can make it more difficult. Do you still take your prenatal? Does it have iron? I'd start on some iron if you aren't taking any, or ask to get your levels checked if you are because it's quite possible you are anemic and I've read that that can have a big effect on supply.

PBear93 · August 2012

tokenhoser:
Did you read the links?
If you offer formula, you're not telling your body to make more milk. This will lower your supply and make the problem worse, eventually leading to more and more formula.
How is her weight? How is her diaper output?

I did read the links--I actually read them the other day. I am not offering the formula every day even. I think we've done it 3 times in the week we've been home. And I only offer it after I have been nursing her for more than 6 consecutive hours.

Her weight was up at the Dr. last week, we go again on thursday. Her diapers are fine--at least 3 really big pees and countless poops.

PBear93 · August 2012

00jennifer00:
She could be getting gassy from the crying. They suck in a lot of air while wailing. Can you try some infant gas drops? Does a change of scenery help to get her started? If you go in a quiet dark room to get started before she gets angry, maybe she'll be able to get going before she gets too hungry.

Are you drinking enough water? Are you anemic? C/s, especially with bleeding issues can make it more difficult. Do you still take your prenatal? Does it have iron? I'd start on some iron if you aren't taking any, or ask to get your levels checked if you are because it's quite possible you are anemic and I've read that that can have a big effect on supply.

I will look at the gas drops. She doesn't get too burpy though, but she does her the hiccups a lot! I will usually go up to our bedroom after a few hours of nursing her in our living room. I will try going upstairs earlier tonight.

I am drinking a ton of water. And yes, I am anemic. I had an c/s and then the next day they discovered that I was forming a massive hemotomia in my belly from the c/s and they removed over a liter of blood and gave me a blood transfusion. I am still taking prenatals and extra iron and vitamin K.

ILoveRunning · August 2012

As long as your pediatrician isn't concerned about weight loss or lack of dirty/wet diapers, I would follow token's advice. My DS was the same.exact.way at that age and I had no clue what was going on. It even happened over the same stretch of time as your DD. I found it best to sit on the couch, watch lots of movies, have DH hold DS periodically to give my nips a break and then resume. It seems like forever, but it will get better soon.

bellelamb · August 2012

It is very hard but it sounds like normal cluster feeding, as lo gets older it will be less and less just hang in there. I recommend good tv your computer close by, a large glass of water and something sweet all with in arms reach.

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