Breastfeeding Seems Constant

It sounds like everyone gave you a lot of great advice. Just keep it up, don't give up. I would also suggest getting some good books at the library. I read when I nurse (don't pay attention to the length of time of each feeding), and it helps a lot, I can go through about 2 books in a week. Breastfeeding is really hard at the beginning, I actually gave up and relacated after a month of not nursing (not something I would suggest), but it is so worth it. My 13 month old son and I really like our nursing time together, and I love having all of that time to read :)

Dear K.,
It sounds like you have a precious little girl. You sound like a very concerned mommy. Lots of new mothers ask me if it is normal for their babies to eat so frequently. I tell them it is. In order to address your particular situation I would need a bit more information. How is your baby's weight gain? How many wet and dirty diapers does she have? Are you feeding her on both breasts or just one per feeding?

In the beginning weeks your baby needs to eat frequently particularly between about 3-4 weeks when she will be having a growth spurt. It sounds like everything is normal but you are probably very tired. Rest as much as possible with your baby.

I would be more than happy to "meet" with you via SKYPE for a consultation. I am a lactation consultant and registered dietitian.

Please visit: www.virtualbreastfeedinghelp.com to make an appointment!

Take care, K..

~L., RD, IBCLC

K.,

It is normal. Normal. Normal. They go through growth spurts pretty regularly where all they will want to do is nurse. It stimulates your body to increase your milk supply to meet their increased needs. Normal. It will get easier and she will space out her feedings. Hang in there and keep nursing as much as she wants!

T.

HI K.,

It sounds fairly normal. the only thing I'd add in is to check her weight, to make sure that she's growing (and getting enough milk.) You might also want to check with a lactation consultant to make sure that she's latching well.

My son got very fussy and nursed lots around 3 weeks, and it turned out that I wasn't making near enough milk for him.

Good luck!
C.

Hi,

I read this and saw myself. My baby was the exact same way. He's now 2 months.

It was so hard. I was so exhausted. I was so ready to give up. He would take an hour at every feeding and then need more sometimes less than one hour later.

I would watch my sister in law and friends and their babies would breastfeed and be done in 10 to 20 mintues flat! I was so envious.

I am not going to lie to you. It is only now that he is getting easier with his feedings. He is faster with longer breaks in between.

I think he was slow because he was 4.5 weeks early. But, then again, my sister's babies were slow eaters too. I think some babies are just what they call "dawdlers" at the breast.

In any case, I hope it gets better and don't give up b/c it does get easier.

take care.

Hi K. :)
Congratulations on your new little one!! :) Your post brought back memories of what I felt was almost a nightmare at times when my daughter was an infant, but I loved breastfeeding. My nipples were just sore from her feeding all the time. What you are experiencing is normal and beautiful!! :) Just enjoy it because the time goes ever so quickly. Neither my daughter, nor my son, had any interest in a pacifier, a bottle, nothing- only just me. Your daughter won't be latched on forever and you won't be able to look down and see her as baby for long, or feel the warmth and love she is in such a lovely little form. JUST BE- just marinate in that love- just enjoy it!!! It's very calming and soothing for babies- especially when they feel cranky and tired, or when they're teething. It's a perfect way for them to feel close with you, safe, and secure... it's perfection !!! I'm feeling such joy for these moments you are in!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!

its called "cluster feeding" and is normal and will happen again... typically during each growth spurt or whenever the baby needs more intake and is growing/developing a lot.
Cluster feeding typically is every hour... both my kids did that too. Normal. Completely normal.

Yes, breastfeeding is all the time and it is not a cake-walk. But always feed on demand and according to your baby's needs.

Do not EVER, feed a baby according to a "schedule." Otherwise a baby will not be getting enough intake, and it will adversely affect their development.

Do NOT give her a pacifier in lieu of nursing. Or your baby will not be getting in enough nutrients... and this will make a fussy/crying HUNGRY baby.

All the best,
Susan

You seem to have got a lot of good advice already, in my quick skim through. I just want to reinforce that this is NORMAL. Babies tummies are small and breastmilk (and all its glorious components) passes through their bodies very efficiently, thus they need to eat often. Babies have growth spurts several times in their first months of life and, if I remember correctly, this age is one of them. It'll feel like all she does is eat for awhile, then suddenly she'll be eating a normal amount, only to have another growth spurt a few weeks/months later and do it again. Have patience and know that you're doing a HUGE service to your baby and yourself, both now and in the long-run. This phase will pass, so take heart!

I also want to point out that if she's sleeping longer periods at night (and her nap, it sounds like), of COURSE she will be hungry and want to eat a lot when she wakes up. Please recognize the blessing you have that she'll sleep for 3 hours. My kids NEVER did that at such a young age.
~N.

Very normal. Sometimes I felt like my shirt was up all day for a while. She'll want to nurse more when she goes through growth spurts. Then she'll start settling into a pattern of nursing every two hours and three at night and then it'll get longer as she grows (but she'll still want to nurse more when she goes through growth spurts again).

Hi K.,

Most babies go through a growth spurt at about 3 weeks (then many more times thereafter as they grow). It sounds like your baby is having her growth spurt. It is normal for her to want to be at the breast very frequently - so that she can increase your milk supply. Remember, milk supply is based on supply and demand. The more she nurses, the more milk you make. Usually these spurts last only a few days until your supply has increased.

I hope this helps. Feel free to email if you would like more specific info.

Warm regards,
R. Sicignano, LM, CPM, LC
California Licensed and Certified Professional Midwife
Lactation Consultant
www.gentlebeginningsbirth.com

Congratulations. The first month, especially when breastfeeding is the most challenging. keep with it, it's totally worth it.

Week 3, 6, & 8 are times when the baby goes through growth spurts, and needs to feed every 1 to 2 hours. This is her way of getting bigger while helping your body produce more milk. No one told me about these 3 growth spurts and at 3 weeks I was willing to throw in the towel, until I learned what my LO was doing.

Good Luck.

My daughter nursed EVERY hour 24 hours a day for the 1st 3 weeks. She then slowed down to 2-2 1/2 hour intervals. Your baby knows how much she needs. Breast fed babies eat more often because it's easier for them to digest. It's tailor made for them at every stage of their developement.

You're lucky to have such a good little eater. They also eat more when they are going through a growth spurt. It's a good thing not to have to worry about an underweight baby.

Good job and congratulations!

It's totally normal, at least in my world! The beginning is so hard breastfeeding, congratulations on making this commitment. I know how challenging it can be. It will get better in time. I believe in feeding on demand for the most part. But if you are really desperate you could try and hold her off for maybe 15 -20 mins each feeding which could "train" her to feed more at each feeding (because she is really hungry) and not so many times throughout the day. But at only 3-4 weeks old that is a pretty tough undertaking. Plus breastfed babies just eat more/more often. My boys were born 3 months early, and spent 2 months in the nicu. The NICU trains them to eat every 3 hrs. Obviously not at first, but after 2 months there they came home weighing only 5 lbs. and were already on a 4 hr. feeding schedule (breast milk). So I know it is possible even with tiny babies. A pacifier helps too! Good luck and know this too will pass.

This is completely normal. By doing this, your little one is increasing your milk supply. Eventually, she will only need to nurse for 10 min or so and will go several hours in between without feeding. The first couple of months are the most challenging. If you have concerns, definitely contact your pediatrician or La Leche League. They should both be able to give you great advice! Hang in there, sounds like you and your daughter are doing well!

My little one did the same thing. He is now 5 months old, and I have learned that every problem that I have come up against tends to be a short-lived phase. Your little one may be ravenous for the next week but then mellow out and take more time in between feedings. But then at three months, she may do the same thing all over again. Breastfeeding gets much easier! And yes sometimes your baby is not hungry, she just wants to be comforted. Try soothie or gumdrop pacifiers from www.hawaiimedical.com , that's the only kind mine will use. And if you aren't already, swaddle your baby when she is upset. After she has eaten, try the pacifier. Sometimes they just want to suck until they fall asleep, and there is nothing wrong with that. Give it time and enjoy your tiny bundle!

Definitely sounds like a growth spurt. The increased nursing increases your milk supply (supply and demand) to keep up with your growing little girl. It passes until the next growth spurt. It's typical and will come and go a lot in the first weeks as your body gets used to your babies needs. Just take it easy, if you can get some help around the house even better. Try not to do too much. Congratulations on your new daughter :)

It's a growth spurt. the first 2 are the worst. feed her as often as you need to to increase your milk supply to her new needs. The next growth spurt will be between 6 and 8 weeks.

Congrats on the little one. You are experiencing the part of breastfeeding most women don't mention until after you have the baby .... it is not always easy. My son does his cluster feeding in the evenings. A couple suggestions .... try the pacifier on occasion - sometimes it isn't food the baby wants, but that comfort of being close and sucking something - not always, but sometimes. Also, when you are nursing, don't time it and stop .... let her eat for as long as she needs - she will be more full and help increase your milk supply, which will allow her to be full and not eat as often. Also, if you need a break, pump and let your husband feed her - it is a nice bonding time for them and you can go take a hot shower or have some quiet time while he does the feeding. Do be careful about the "on demand" feedings: I feed my son when he is hungry, but I am also rational about it. At 4 months, he slept all night - he did wake up sometimes - I would give him a binky and he went right back to sleep - that demonstrated he was not hungry, but at the same time, he ate if I offered. Find what works, but also know it is a comfort thing and if you offer it, most babies will take it as a way to go back to sleep, rather than self-soothing. Good Luck!

The same thing happened to me with my son. I spoke to a lactation consultant at the time and she said that it was cluster feeding to bring your milk in. It should pass. Good luck!