I'm going to lose my mind

[Lintu]

My little girl is 6 weeks old as of yesterday. Last week, she was nursing pretty much constantly. I figured that she hit her 6 week growth spurt early. Alas...today, she's nursed constantly since 1017 EST (it's now 1145 EST). I'm seriously about to snap. I don't understand what's going on. I've been seen by a great lactation consultant and I make plenty of milk. Her diapers are yellow and seedy, not green and frothy or anything. I just don't know if I can take this anymore!!

[rivkah]

Originally Posted by Lintu

My little girl is 6 weeks old as of yesterday. Last week, she was nursing pretty much constantly. I figured that she hit her 6 week growth spurt early. Alas...today, she's nursed constantly since 1017 EST (it's now 1145 EST). I'm seriously about to snap. I don't understand what's going on. I've been seen by a great lactation consultant and I make plenty of milk. Her diapers are yellow and seedy, not green and frothy or anything. I just don't know if I can take this anymore!!

Lintu--

You are doing a great job. Infants just go through these days. My husband called our DD a "milk tick," because on certain days, she latched on a didn't let go. Rest assured, your little babe will outgrow this stage and you will be so happy to see how healthy she is from all your mama's milk!

[Lintu]

Originally Posted by rivkah

Lintu--

You are doing a great job. Infants just go through these days. My husband called our DD a "milk tick," because on certain days, she latched on a didn't let go. Rest assured, your little babe will outgrow this stage and you will be so happy to see how healthy she is from all your mama's milk!

If it were just a day here and there, I think I could deal, but this has been going on constantly for over a week now I had to put her in her swing because I was about to lose it, and she's content and falling asleep! When she was in my arms, she was rooting around, sucking her hands, acting as though she hadn't had a meal in weeks.

[CI Mama]

I just want to send you hugs and say you are not alone, many of us experience feelings of being overwhelmed during those first few months of BFing!

The first few months of BFing are so intense. I had a hard time with my daughter's marathon BF sessions. I am not wired to sit still for long periods of time, and I often thought I was going to lose my mind.

I had to spend some time every day away from my daughter. It wasn't easy to do! Sometimes all I did was leave her with my DP and walk around the block once. Sometimes I was able to get away for an hour or two. But that time away became critical to being able to come back and get latched on again.

Every new mama has to find her own way...it's a work in progress.

And it doesn't stay that intense forever! Things get easier as baby grows up.

Hang in there!!!!

[rivkah]

Originally Posted by Lintu

If it were just a day here and there, I think I could deal, but this has been going on constantly for over a week now I had to put her in her swing because I was about to lose it, and she's content and falling asleep! When she was in my arms, she was rooting around, sucking her hands, acting as though she hadn't had a meal in weeks.

Oh, I understand! It can be overwhelming! I would second the suggestion to get some time alone each day--just a short walk and a shower can help. It sounds like you are just "touched out" as they say.

Your baby sounds like a very smart girl--she knows what is good for her. I know it seems like these days can be endless, but I assure you they will pass. Hang in there and try to give yourself a break.

[Lintu]

Originally Posted by rivkah

Oh, I understand! It can be overwhelming! I would second the suggestion to get some time alone each day--just a short walk and a shower can help. It sounds like you are just "touched out" as they say.

Your baby sounds like a very smart girl--she knows what is good for her. I know it seems like these days can be endless, but I assure you they will pass. Hang in there and try to give yourself a break.

I would love some alone time My husband doesn't get home til 8 every night though so it's really hard.

What really concerns me is that my mother-in-law keeps saying that my husband nursed constantly like this until he was 5 months old. I just can't keep this up for 5 months straight.

Thanks so much for listening to me and offering your support and kindness. I really appreciate it!

[PatioGardener]

Originally Posted by Lintu

What really concerns me is that my mother-in-law keeps saying that my husband nursed constantly like this until he was 5 months old. I just can't keep this up for 5 months straight.

Your little girl may be nothing like your husband. Sometimes MILs need to keep their thoughts to themselves! Just take one day at a time, you'll get through!

ETA: You are not alone. I have a 'boob tick' too who is 4 weeks old. This morning I had to answer the door to pick up a parcel with him attached...

[desertgirl01]

Hi Lintu, it's DG from AWH!! Really, MIL probably doesn't remember what it was like when your husband was a baby! I barely remember how P was at that age!!

[scottishmommy]

my dd was like that. I just threw up my hands and said "to h*** with housekeeping, cooking and everyone else, I'm just gonna lay around in bed and read!" And that's what I did. I just stayed in bed and read juicy historical fiction novels for weeks. Once I decided that I was just gonna be a milk machine for a while my nerves settled. I say surrender! You can't win. Enjoy your nursling for a while. This too shall pass.

[Megan73]

Originally Posted by scottishmommy

my dd was like that. I just threw up my hands and said "to h*** with housekeeping, cooking and everyone else, I'm just gonna lay around in bed and read!" And that's what I did. I just stayed in bed and read juicy historical fiction novels for weeks. Once I decided that I was just gonna be a milk machine for a while my nerves settled. I say surrender! You can't win. Enjoy your nursling for a while. This too shall pass.

Yup. I had trouble turning pages while nursing (needed to support the feeding boob) but I'd watch movies and listen to audio books.
I wouldn't have believed it at the time, but I kinda miss those days now that I have a busy toddler!

[desertgirl01]

Yep, that was me too. I read all the Meyer Vampire books, plus about 50 other books. Watched a ton of movies. Developed a crush on the actor from Bones, watched the series from start to finish, still watch it Thursdays. I thought my arse was going to have some permanent damage from sitting so long!

[Goddess's mom]

I have a daycare with other kids so alas, the books and movies weren't an option but a good wrap that I could nurse in was great. One time I nursed walking down the street pulling the wagon full of other kids.

[mommajb]

Originally Posted by PatioGardener

ETA: You are not alone. I have a 'boob tick' too who is 4 weeks old. This morning I had to answer the door to pick up a parcel with him attached...

I've done this but really it works best with the first baby. One day after marathon nursing and door answering I took dd3 to gymnastics where I sat to nurse ds2 yet again. The UPS driver who was there with his daughter looked over and said, "Hey I know you! You live at *insert my address here*." He recognized me with the babe attached but not before I put ds to breast.

If you have seen an IBCLC and ruled out problems it really is just a hard few days and will get better. Your little one loves having you close.

[Lintu]

So as it turns out, she's TEETHING. One tooth is just erupted and the neighbor is just under the surface. I am shocked, but it does offer a possible explanation.

[rivkah]

Originally Posted by Lintu

So as it turns out, she's TEETHING. One tooth is just erupted and the neighbor is just under the surface. I am shocked, but it does offer a possible explanation.

Oh yeah--kind of early to teeth, but not unheard of. My LO's all nursed constantly when they were cutting teeth. Honestly, it can be overwhelming, but at least you have an effective way to sooth her.

[KittyDanger]

It might not be a tooth. It might be something called a pearl? My 8 week old has one I think.

I felt the same way with both my sons. With DS1 I got so frustrated that I quit nusring..at 6 weeks actually. With DS two, who is now 8 weeks and still nursing, I had days where ALL I did was nurse him. Recently he started nursing a lot less frequently and for the first couple of days I missed it! I wanted to wake him up to nurse because I felt lonely .

Try not to give up.

[GAjenn]

I remind myself that one day my children will be teenagers and I will miss holding them and them wanting to be held. I think the most important time to myself is spent hopefully getting to shower by myself everyday without the resposibility of either my toddler or my infant. Hang in there Momma!