cluster feeding and overtired baby

[tigermiep]

hi all. my 3-week-old son has gotten into a pattern where for four to seven hours each day, he doesn't want to sleep at all and wants to be fed every forty-five minutes or so. I worry that he's not getting enough sleep! I don't mind nursing him so often. he's sucking and swallowing for most of the 15-30 minutes that he's latched on. he isn't always interested in the second breast, but sometimes he'll nurse for 30 min on one side, doze off, and wake up 10 min later and want to eat again!

advice? reassurance?

[Mommal]

Three weeks old and cluster feeding- that's TOTALLY normal. Exhausting, but normal.

Some things you can do to make your baby feed longer and maybe go longer between feeds:
- Wear him in a sling. Mom's warm presence, her smell and her sounds, can keep a baby content whereas being alone in a crib can make him wake up and cry.
- Try breast compressions during nursing to keep your baby alert and focused.
- Wait. Time will take care of this problem, so just do your best to relax and enjoy this demanding period in your baby's life.

[tigermiep]

thanks! I'll give the compressions a try. A friend told me she'll come by with all her slings to try -- we don't have one that works yet.

[alegna]

Sounds perfectly normal to me.

Dd never did the sleepy-newborn thing at all. Some babies don't.

-Angela

[AutumnAir]

Sounds normal to me too. Also there's a growth spurt at 3 weeks - that might be part of it.