breastfeeding moms. pleeeease help

Sdufort1216 · May 2014

so I have a 5 day old and I feed him when he wants it. problem is it's constantly ! he will sleep during the day but I make sure I wake him every 2 hrs to eat but at night he refuses to sleep (10 min at most not kidding!) he always wants my breast and I know somtimes he just ends up sucking. I offered a pacifier and he didn't want it. I am loosing my mind. husband and I have had 2 hrs sleep total in 3 days . I have only gotten minimal sleep because my husband will rock him even through crying so I can get some sleep in pease any advice would be great. he's pooping ALOT too so I know he's getting food but maybe more than he needs so whys he so demanding?

rt4life · May 2014

This is normal to me. My son was like this. But it's getting better I stopped waking him up every two hours overnight and I get more sleep. He goes to bed at like 10 wakes up at around 12 then again at like 4 then again at 6. And after 6 he wants to feed every hour. Try not letting him sleep two hours before bedtime.

rt4life · May 2014

Also keep in mind that their tummies are tiny at 5 days old (only about the size of their fist) and breast milk is digested super fast. So he'll probably want to eat every time he poops

jcf2133 · May 2014

This is my life too. Yesterday, I fed for, no lie, six straight hours. Last week, around day nine, it was a twelve hour process. My doctor and LC say that what's important is that they are eating. I totally understand our- it's tough. I keep telling myself we will get on a better routine soon- baby is only two weeks old.

Junebug060609 · May 2014

Is he back up to birth weight? If so, ask your pedi if you still have to wake him to eat. You probably wont need to if weight gain is going well. That should make a difference with your sleep, even 4 hrs when you are used to 2 is huge.

Other than that, yeah, constantly being on the boob is pretty normal for bf'ing newborn. It gets better

Sdufort1216 · May 2014

well at night I don't wake him up at all because he's already wide awake . he doesn't fall asleep at night. not for a second. I wake him up during the day only every 2 hrs in hopes that he'll be tired by night time but it doesn't work. I'm going to dr appt today so well see what his weight is

Junebug060609 · May 2014

For sleeping...honestly, with newborns you kinda have to go with the flow and sleep when they sleep. I know it's hard bc your body wants to be awake during the day/asleep at night, but if you are able to sleep by day, then do so. Eventually he'll figure out day and night, but it sometimes takes awhile. Take those longer stretches of sleep, whenever they come. I'd for sure not be waking him up every two hours, no way.

ksyknelvr73 · May 2014

Everyone else has solid advice, but also, if he is sleeping during the day then you need to be doing that also. He will switch to sleeping at night at some point but these first couple weeks are all about survival. Babies are constantly on the boob when you are BFing. Just take advantage of those times when he is sleeping and make sure you are as well.

mileswithmyles · May 2014

My pedi said we didn't need to wake him to feed because his weight was fine. I panicked one night because it had been over 3 hours, but she said not to worry.

MissLadyTay · May 2014

Hugs, these early days are hard. This is temporary. As you feed him, you build your supply. He will start to get more at each feeding and will start to sleep longer between feedings.

haylo33 · May 2014

I had this issue before my milk came in. He would nurse for an hour straight. The doctor said anything after 15 or 20 min he is just using it as a pacifier. When we finally gave him a pacifier, it took a minute for him to get it. We would put it in his mouth and he would squirm for a bit then finally suck and he was content. Maybe try holding it in his mouth for a few seconds, see if he figures it out

Sdufort1216 · May 2014

thanks for the advice everyone. went to dr and he gained a couple ounces he said as you all said to not wake him up every 2 hrs to feed him ( to think I got this info from lactation consulting at the hospital!) he said 4 hrs sleeping in between is good because then after he'll have a full feeding session ....

shaunamw · May 2014

You could try pumping and having your husband give him a bottle. I was anti bottle with my first because I was afraid he would refuse the breast if he had a bottle but with this one breing in the NICU for a week we had to use a bottle sometimes and it is working great for us. Now that she is home husband gives her a bottle one time during the night do we can share the sleepless nights. She hasn't had any difficulties going from breast to bottle.

Also the NICU nurses suggested double swaddling infants at night it gives them a womb like feel.

I understand it's really hard my son did the same thing for the first month trust that it gets better and I agree with the other ladies ... Napping during the day will definitely help.

KBowen715 · May 2014

We just met with our pediatrician (who is also a pediatric nutritionist about this. He said not to let them feed for longer than 15-20 min each side, because if you're nursing after you are empty, then they are just burning calories. They will work themselves up into hunger feeding on a dry boob. He had us feeding for 30 min, then pumping (to help supply), then feeding the pumped milk if baby is acting hungry Inbetween feeds. This has helped us a lot.

usernewname · May 2014

I have a different perspective. My MW is all for comfort nursing and to let him sit there as long as I feel comfortable. I've googled it too, some children need to comfort nurse during the first few weeks. He's done this here and there, but not consistently (I think its a spurt when he does it). She said if I've had enough of him just using me as a paci to give him one. I personally don't want to give him a paci, so I am fine with comfort nursing or giving him my finger to suck.

Its how you feel. If you have had enough, consider a paci or pumped BM into a bottle. I'll admit those days he's on the boob basically all day I've considered the paci so I can have 5 minutes to breathe.

It will get better

Nap when he does, you'll feel so much better. And a hot shower.

KBowen715 · May 2014

I should have said to my above statement^, the approach given was just for nutritional needs. If baby needs love and comfort, love and comfort should be what baby gets. My above advice was just for maximizing caloric intake to make sure baby was getting enough in vs what they were putting out. I don't have a fussy baby, just a hungry baby, which may be what you're facing as well.

Did you have a big baby? My babies are big, so they always require more food intake to sustain weight.

usernewname · May 2014

I was worried about over feeding him with comfort nursing but my mw assured me he will stop when he's full. My online research says you can't really overfeed a BF baby as the milk won't be there. I still slightly wonder.

spinsoffresonance · May 2014

Sounds like he has his days and nights reversed right now. The first 3 weeks are very hard, you just have to hang in there. Try to sleep during the day when he sleeps. DD was a constant eater too and the thing that worked for us was bed sharing. That's the only way we could get her to sleep, snuggled up against me. We did it for about 10weeks until I was able to transition her to the cosleeper.

Mwyld · May 2014

jcf2133 said:
This is my life too. Yesterday, I fed for, no lie, six straight hours. Last week, around day nine, it was a twelve hour process. My doctor and LC say that what's important is that they are eating. I totally understand our- it's tough. I keep telling myself we will get on a better routine soon- baby is only two weeks old.

This. My 2 week old literally did not come off my boob all night last night and I was so exhausted and frustrated I just cried the whole time.

2014poppy · May 2014

I had a lactation consultant who coached to seriously feed until baby is satiated and then he's chill for 3-4 hrs. Were at day 9 and this has been the case for several days now. Occasionally he'll feed more during the day for comfort. I offer one breast, then the other and a whole second round so 4 boob offerings with a burp in between each (and sometimes a diaper change). If baby falls asleep at the wheel and has my nipples in his mouth, I stop and try to rouse him (I compress my breasts and/or tickle his chin) or change breasts. It worked well for us. The feed is long though like up to an hour.

Ziegeficker · May 2014

I recommend sleeping with the baby on the breast. If it's not feasible in the bed (I find them too tiny and inexperienced at latching to bed share at this point, but that's just me), try a comfortable chair or recliner. Use a breastfeeding pillow or sturdy pillow to prop baby up so you're both comfortable and contained and won't drop her. This has helped get through a few rough nights here in my house.

A few other tips I received with my first to help them switch to day shift, so to speak -- Minimize all talking and eye contact at night. Dim the lights or keep them off completely, even during diaper changes (obviously some light may be necessary). And even though it sounds terrible, keep them swaddled and don't change their diaper regularly at night. Minimal activity at night is what you're aiming for. I also had good luck with my first sleeping in the baby swing for a few hours, and I have heard great things about the rock n play. I also heard that feeding baby every hour for three to four hours leading up to bedtime helps some moms. And lastly, help ensure the baby is actually eating during her last feedings of the day (versus comfort sucking) by undressing her and pinching her lightly or tickling her to keep her awake.

usernewname · May 2014

Oh yes the chair! I sleep with DS in my recliner. We both sleep great. Usually I just fall asleep before putting him back to bed but it would be worth a try for you!

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breastfeeding moms. pleeeease help

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