New at this & overwhelmed

[PaytonPlace]

DS is 3 1/2 weeks old. BF has been a real challenge but it is now going well even though I find it to be so incredibly time consuming. I'm having such a difficult time trying to take care of him, myself & my 3yo DD. She is really craving attention because DS seems to be getting it all because I feel like all I do is feed him. So everyone keeps telling me that 6 weeks is the magic corner to turn. But, I'm curious, what exactly changes at that time that supposedly makes everything "so much easier"? Will I ever have more than 1 - 2 hours between the time he finishes eating & starts again? Will I ever get more than 4 hours of sleep at one time? I only have 4 weeks left until I go back to work and I'm worried that I'm going to be so frazzled and stressed still with the feedings.

[ein328]

Mama, I totally understand your feelings! BFing can def. be overwhelming at first. However, I would be hesitant to put a timeline on "when" exactly BFing becomes easier, because I think that's different for every mom/baby pair. For us, BFing became hugely easier when we finally got nursing in the side-laying position down pat. Then I was able to nurse at night without hardly waking up, and def. without sitting up (we co-sleep). My baby is almost six months old, and DOES NOT sleep through the night yet- she still nurses at least once, usually twice- I def. have not slept more than 4 or 5 hours in a row since she's been born. Also, I work full time, so I pump during the day and nurse on demand while I'm at home, which can be exhausting. I credit co-sleeping and side-laying nursing to my survival.

If anything, I think that nursing becomes easier because you become more in-sync. As a mama, you'll adapt to waking at night to nurse, and as you learn your baby's cues better, you'll be able to nurse practically before your LO fusses. You also adapt to the sleep cycle yourself!

Stick with it, mama! You're doing great- and although going back to work is extremely difficult, you might even enough having a little "adult time."

[Lineymom]

Nursing in a sling will help you be able to play with the 3yo. At some point... I guess it is around 6wk... maybe later, the duration of the feedings have shorten a lot with mine. I 2nd pp about cosleeping and side-laying. I couldn't tell you how many times/ how often my 3month dd nurses at night... I sleep thru it, lol! When she roots around for the other side I am ready to role over anyway. Having the 3yo bring you books to read to her while nursing or letting her cuddle up to you and watch tv is fun too.