Nursing for an hour and still hungry 😮💨
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My newborn ate on me all day yesterday. It happens time and time again during her growth spurts. She wants to cluster feed. If you look it up they’ll tell you the other symptoms of a growth spurt. Hope that helps :)
It might be low milk production, but it also sounds like baby just isn’t feeding when latched. If she falls asleep, wake her and switch her to the other breast. Try as best as you can to keep her awake while feeding- cool towel on her cheek, stroke her jaw lightly with your finger, tickle her feet, etc. My lactation consultant had said that baby should be getting all they need within 20-30 minutes of breastfeeding. Any extra time is usually them sleeping or just suckling/ soothing, but not actually drinking the milk. I would try doing 5 minutes on one breast, 15 on the other and then 10 more on the first breast. If baby is still hungry, I would supplement. That way you’re starting to give your breasts a break. Hang in there mama, but don’t feel bad if you need to supplement with formula, fed is best ❤️
Sounds like cluster feeding which is very normal for newborns - bf was like this for me constantly for around the first 6w, sometimes LO would be latched on for hours at a time. Eased abit after 6w
Could it be gas? My guy roots when he’s gassy because he doesn’t know the difference in his stomach pain (hunger Vs gas) Usually if he’s rooting and doing that within an hour of eating, I treat it as gas instead of hunger
Has she been checked for tongue tie? Inefficient feeding, a variable latch and sore nipples are all signs. Our baby had it.
Breast milk is almost all water. Ebf babies literally will stay glued to you till maybe 3 month from my experience. It’s gets better after 4 months promise!
Sounds like cluster feeding but also if you think she may just be sucking for comfort eg falling asleep quickly or not really swallowing you could try a dummy
Completely normal cluster feeding behaviour, it does not mean your supply is low. It's a tough time and babies are demanding! You're absolutely right, if she's making lots of dirty nappies and putting on weight steadily then that's the best indicator It's also likely she's just comfort nursing too. She knows the safest place to be is close to mum so they communicate the only way they can. It's all normal, but it won't last forever. The first 3 months are the toughest
I’ve learnt that when my little boy makes hunger signals shortly after a good feed, he is often just looking for comfort. To save my nipples I have started giving him to my partner for snuggles at this point. Often my partner can soothe him to sleep and my breasts get a bit of a break! 😂
Hi, do you have a breastfeeding clinic you can visit? There is a cluster feed around the 4-5 week mark but there could be a tongue tie or latch issue too. Best to get professional help early on. If you are looking for reassurance that baby is happy and healthy,go by wet and dirty nappies. The more the better.
Cluster feeding, it passes hang on in there!!!!
Thank you mamas for sharing your thoughts!.. It does actually sound like she’s cluster feeding and comfort feeding in the same time that’s true, I will ask my health visitor next week for the possibility of tongue tie as well just to be sure.
I also found these videos really useful in determining whether my baby is feeding well https://ibconline.ca/breastfeeding-videos-english/
All sounds like absolutely normal breast feeding patterns and baby behaviour. It’s tough but baby is cluster feeding to grow, regulate your supply and also for comfort. If there are enough wet and dirty nappies plus weight gain, there’s very likely nothing to worry about. You could try biological / laidback breast feeding for a more comfy latch and lots of skin to skin. If you can, surrender to these early weeks and get settled on the sofa with good telly, snacks and water. You’re doing an amazing job! It does ease off to a more manageable routine I promise! (I’ve EBF one to 18 months and second is nearly 1 still BF). Good luck! x
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Sounds like cluster feeding to me, I had this with my LO and it was so exhausting i- my nipple was red raw -I went and got her a ready made formula bottle and she had 3 ounces of that and feel right asleep.
Sounds exactly like my situation. For my sanity and safety of baby (I kept falling asleep with baby on me overnight as he wanted to be attached 24/7) and after an hour he was still crying constantly in hunger and wouldn’t sleep so I now bf him for 30-40 mins and then give him a bottle of mixed formula and breast milk which he completely drinks and then finally sleeps for about 3 hours. I just make sure to pump more regularly to keep my supply going x
Yes I think she may be cluster feeding and going through a growth spurt