Breastfeeding help

[MSinghsMama]

My 15 week old is still nursing every 1 to 2 hours in the daytime, and sometimes at night too. I'm exhausted!

There have been a few days where he would go upto 3 hours in the day, and 3-5 hours a night, but 95% of the time he wants the boob nearly every hour. Did anyone elses babe do this, and if so when did it stop being so frequent?

I know he really is hungry as he takes a full feed, he gulps it down and is burped well after. I've been nutritionally deficient in the past and i've lost a lot of weight since having him, could it be that my milk isn't good enough quality to sustain him for long enough? He won't take expressed milk or a paci so he needs me for comfort as well as this frequent feeding. I'm desperate for a break but the only advice i've had so far is to make him wait and let him cry, and i cannot do that.

Any similiar experiences or advice most welcome

[PatioGardener]

Your situation sounds completely normal, Mama. Breastmilk is digested within 45-90 minutes, so it makes sense that baby wants to feed every 1-2 hours!

Breastmilk is an amazing food - even if the mother is malnourished, breastmilk is rarely affected. In order for breastmilk to suffer, mother has to be severely malnourished (for example living with famine for an extended period of time.)

It sounds like you are exhausted! Are you trying to do too much? Is there anyone that can help you out with 'the rest' so that you have time and energy to nurse baby?

Hang in there! And Welcome to MDC!

[MSinghsMama]

Thanks Everyone i spoke to at a breastfeeding group said their baby has been going from 2-4 hours since they were 4-8 weeks old. It made me feel like the only one who's life almost revolves entirely around nursing!

His dad works nights and approx 70 hrs a week and i don't have family around to help out. I never expected that it would be every hour after the newborn period and tbh i'm finding it a little suffocating after 15 weeks being glued to him I'd just love to be able to go out for an hour or so but it's not possible with his appetite and need for mummy cuddles! I guess i was hoping there would be some magic point where he would suddenly go about 3 hours between feeds

My expressed milk smells sour to me, i've had breast surgery (yrs ago) and i'm losing weight and run down - so i was worried there was something wrong my milk. I was even wondering if it was possible to get it tested but that's probably bordering on obsessive lol. But if my milk is most likely OK, i will just stick with the frequent nursing!

[PatioGardener]

Is baby growing well? If weight gain is good (5-7 oz/day for first 3 months, then 4-6 oz/week until 6 months), and baby is making lots of pees (6 heavy wets in 24 hours) then you know that baby is getting enough milk.

Did you have surgery on both breasts? Do you mind sharing what kind it was?

And, are you eating enough? There are Mamas here who have to eat LOTS to stay health when breastfeeding - they need to make sure they are getting lots of good fats in their diets.

[Bokonon]

Originally Posted by PatioGardener

Your situation sounds completely normal, Mama. Breastmilk is digested within 45-90 minutes, so it makes sense that baby wants to feed every 1-2 hours!

Breastmilk is an amazing food - even if the mother is malnourished, breastmilk is rarely affected. In order for breastmilk to suffer, mother has to be severely malnourished (for example living with famine for an extended period of time.)

It sounds like you are exhausted! Are you trying to do too much? Is there anyone that can help you out with 'the rest' so that you have time and energy to nurse baby?

Hang in there! And Welcome to MDC!

There is no reason to have your milk tested. Some babies are just frequent nursers - I've had 2! Peepers is 7.5 months old and is finally starting to go 2.5-3 hours between feedings during the day, and just in the last week, has started going 3 hours between feedings at night, which is so much better than the hour and a half spacings she had before!

Hang in there, it does get easier. Make sure you get out of the house every day so you don't start feeling resentful. If you're not comfortable nursing in public, the mall is a great place to go because many have family lounges where moms can nurse, and you can always use a dressing room at a department store!

Do you wear your baby? I find that when I have Peepers in the Mei Tai, she usually falls asleep and I can get more done. As long as I feed her beforehand, she'll have a good nap in the carrier since she's practically getting a big hug from me the whole time!

[MSinghsMama]

He was gaining upto 12oz a week, but i had an over active letdown and imbalance. Since that's improved it's slowed to about 4-7oz a week and he's a happy healthy chappy

My BMI is only about 18 now. I probably am just one of those who needs to eat more to sustain nursing but i don't seem to have the appetite or time to eat more than usual and often feel exhausted and nauseous.

Everyone around me is telling me that nursing him every hour is abnormal/not healthy/make him go longer - inc his pedi nurse and the one who runs the breastfeeding group I bet if i wasn't hearing that all the time i wouldn't feel so bothered about it!!

I wear him in a wrap, but haven't figured out how to nurse in it so have to take it off everytime which is abit frustrating to say the least! I'd love to know how to nurse in it, or to find a better baby carrier that we could use?

Is there a section for babywearing or vegetarian recipes on here?

Thanks again for the support

[PatioGardener]

I think you just need to come here often and be reminded how normal your baby's nursing pattern is! He sounds lovely

There is a great babywearing section of the forum (scroll down to the Natural Family Living section) and vegetarian eating is here http://mothering.com/discussions/forumdisplay.php?f=366

[MSinghsMama]

thank you, it's reassuring to hear it's normal 2 weeks ago I was told that he wouldn't develop normally and would be spoilt and clingy because i'm still treating him like a newborn ... but if he's hunrgy, he's hungry! I think i'll just have to start ignoring all these comments from people and then maybe it'll be less stressful!

Will check the other forums now