Never ending breastfeeding?

If you notice there aren’t big swallows that you can hear and that you can see her cheeks moving as though she is filling up and swallowing she is likely just staying on for comfort. Sometimes you can feel these as small flutters in the boob rather than deep sucks. At this point she is no longer removing milk and may have fallen asleep so you can break the latch by inserting your little finger to break the seal and remove baby. People often talk about feeding for hours but newborns can’t feed for that long their stomachs are literally too small so they are just staying latched for comfort. Good luck mama!

So the first 6 weeks of breastfeeding are bloody difficult. The cluster feeding is impossible. You will get through it but just know this is all so so normal x

That's exactly how it is at that age! Your doing nothing wrong at all! They feed for hunger, thirst and comfort! 😁

My LO is coming up to 3 weeks and is coming up to the cluster feeding stage I’m feeding each side every couple of hours it’s hard breast feeding as not sure on how much she is having, but I’m hoping to get through it xxxx

Is there a reason why you added formula top ups? The first 6 weeks is when they get your supply to what they need so if also having formula your body won't produce what she needs to fill her cos she's drinking that too and it is quicker to drink from a bottle so she may well be waiting for that cos it's less effort than breastfeeding. Also I'd look up information on cluster feeding. It is common for them to not want to be off the boob as that's how they get everything to the level they need.

@Natalie she was quite jaundiced so added formula as a way to clear it which midwives at the hospital suggested. The plan is to cut out formula slowly. I also want to start expressing milk but have yet to get into a routine for that yet

As long as you’re breastfeeding mostly and don’t have any other issues your supply will be fine @Natalie and your body will still produce what baby needs OP. Cluster feeding is defo a thing but look into pace feeding too when on the bottle - combo feeding doesn’t have to affect your breastfeeding supply. I did before 6 weeks with both of mine so dad can do a bottle etc and this is entirely an option for you!

@Lucy I don’t think that’s a fair assessment to make, I do have other children who need me and the ability to use the toilet alone would be nice 🤷🏻‍♀️

@Shanika I always breastfeed first for as long as she wants (hence the post) and then offer a bottle, she typically takes 1-2oz of formula. Pace feeding was advised by the midwife so have been trying to make sure my partner remembers to do it also

I’d defo say try and focus on how long she is actually feeding for - it is unlikely to be for hours so pay attention to when she is no longer removing milk and then detach

@Jessica that’s my issue, you can’t measure breast milk so I worry she’s not getting enough from me x

If baby is having wet nappies and gaining weight they are getting enough.

@Natalie I know this in theory but my anxiety tends to get the better of me 🤦🏻‍♀️

I completely get that I worry mine isn’t getting enough from me I think as mums we just always worry we’re doing something wrong, mine has started being a little sick after feeds so I think maybe she’s taking more that she actually needs but I’m gonna try get through the cluster feeding, she’s my last baby so really want to feed for as long as I can my other children are older and I only managed a month with all of them I couldn’t get past the cluster feeding as it is hard work xxxx

@Jessica I wasn’t able to breastfeed my other daughter so really want to do it for as long as possible, like you this is my last baby so I want to experience it while I still can. Very difficult to not want to throw in the towel but going to try and take the advice on board and power through the next few weeks xx

I would try and see a lactation consultant and have a full feel observed. It's quite normal for a newborn to latch like this and feeding more than 12 times a day can be normal. It's what helps build your supply. Falling asleep on the breast is also normal. You can try increase milk transfer by doing breast compressions as you see baby slowing down to feed. A latch check which is what the midwives will do is not a feeding assessment.

Also find a local weighing clinic if you’re worried about babies weight! I was the same but would weigh monthly and it reassured me they were gaining, very well actually they are both little chunks!

https://youtu.be/zI-O2Sm7p24?si=bDbz2IPn_FPmqolS This is a good video for how to check baby is drinking. https://youtu.be/ZcAIUlBoY7I?si=agTNz2kRdXxntdRh And how to do breast compressions.

I ebf so never knew what my daughter was getting so I get what you mean about not knowing and the anxiety that comes with it but there are things that would not be happening if they weren't. I'm still breastfeeding at 2.5 :)

My baby girl was on me constantly it felt for the first 8 weeks!!! It was so mentally tiring and I wanted to stop a couple of times. But I'm SO glad I kept on. She is 3 and a half months now and I love it. She feeds every 1.5-2 hours and sleeps through the night. We have such a lovely bond and I love breastfeeding now. It gets easier I promise 🩷 x

Yeah this happened to me. Everyone said it’s normal, I nearly gave up around 3-4 weeks as it was so hard with the cluster feeding, 6 weeks now and it’s got a little easier. She will be comfort sucking and cluster feeding, you start to be able to tell when it’s nutritional sucks or comfort sucks, my midwife said after about half an hour on each breast they will have had enough so you can unlatch them as they are likely comfort sucking. They will take a bottle no matter how full they are as it’s automatic to them to start sucking, it’s a reflex and the bottle is easy over the breast so they will always drink it, doesn’t mean she’s still hungry.