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October 2015 Moms
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I think I've created a monster...

altow1310altow1310 member
in October 2015 Moms
So, my beautiful baby boy was born Tuesday and he is greater than any dream (this has nothing to do with where this post is going, but I just have to brag about my love for my little man). At birth, his blood sugar was really low, and his level fluctuated between being above and below what they like it to be for his first 12 hours. He spent this time in the special care nursery and was supplemented with formula. My plan was to breastfeed, so it's been a stressful few days trying to get little man used to latching and breastfeeding. I tried and tried without much luck, and with how emotionally stressful it was for both of us I decided to take a break. For about a day I didn't make any attempts to nurse or try to force it while waiting for my milk supply to build (I pumped in the meantime). Well, that must have worked like magic because he nursed once last night after bottle feeding for a bit, and ever since about 5 AM this morning he has exclusively nursed! I am so, so, so happy about this. The only problem is now it's ALL he wants to do. I've tried to take a nap all afternoon, and little man just wants to keep at it. He falls asleep while nursing and if I move him he wakes up and immediately wants to be back on the breast. I am feeling exhausted today and am a little worried about the nighttime tonight. I am enjoying the nursing and am so glad he is getting the hang of it, but I'm worried he is just comfort sucking rather than actually needing to feed. I'm sure it takes him longer to feel full while nursing because it's more work than the bottle, so I know I just need to be patient with that part of it. Is it normal for babies to want to nurse a TON in the beginning? Does it get easier to get into a routine or space out feedings a little more?
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Re: I think I've created a monster...

  • poupoulepoupoule member
    So... I am a FTM but I just had my "preparation for breastfeeding" class yesterday.
    And she did say that some babies sleep a lot the first day or so, and don't feed much, and then will catch up and want to eat a lot.

    Can you see if he is actually eating/swallowing ? She definitely mentioned they could slow down, and then wake up again and go at it. She advised to massage your breast at the same time to stimulate the milk flow and make it more interesting to him, so he does not doze at the same time.

    They have a tiny stomach at the beginning, so they need to feed really often (shooting marble size at birth) by day 10, the stomach is about the size of an egg, and already he should eat less often, but bigger quantities.

    So I would say your experience all makes sense :) Try massaging at the same time to make it more efficient, but otherwise, it will probably slow down in a few days ! Keep patient :)

    So happy for you that he is latching great and you both enjoy it.


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  • midge519midge519 member
    It could be cluster feeding. My daughter did it for the first few days in the hospital. It was exhausting but it was what she wanted. If he falls asleep while eating try waking him to finish feeding. It will help him to feel full before sleeping.
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  • mandy903mandy903 member
    I second the cluster feeding. My baby did on day 5 from 10 am to 5 pm. And will most evening from 10 to 1 am. It seems to boost my supply... I say let him nurse and wait it out.
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  • altow1310altow1310 member
    Thank you, ladies! With cluster feeding, does it just sort of work itself out into a pattern eventually?
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  • SandraD1119SandraD1119 member
    Yes it will all work itself out and become so much easier. Just give it a few weeks for babies eating habits and your milk supply to regulate.
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  • mandala1107mandala1107 member
    Yes. Cluster feeding will eventually work out, but they typically start back up again for growth spurts. When my DD was a newborn, she would sometimes nurse for 45 minutes between dozing off and actually eating, plus it takes newborns a while. When you couple that 45 minute session knowing they eat around every 2 hours, it is tough! BFing is truly a labor of love in the beginning. Plus babies digest breast milk faster since it is easier on their tummies. I second finding out if he is actually eating. You will be able to tell a difference in the jaw movement and actually hear the swallowing. If he's not swallowing take him off. Yes he might wake up, but you're not a pacifier and if he's just using you for comfort, he is more likely to have a lazy latch and cause you discomfort. Good luck mama! It can be exhausting!
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  • oceanlove13oceanlove13 member
    My baby was born Tuesday and he started cluster feeding last night and today. He nursed last night from 8:30 to 3 am like a crazy man! I was told to expect it around day 4-5 when milk comes in. From my experience with my first son, the cluster feeding comes and goes and I feed on demand. When he's not cluster feeding he's been eating every 2 hours roughly.
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