Stretching out feeds without CIO

[*Jade*]

Hi all,

I was wondering if there are techniques to stretch out feeds without using CIO. My babe is 5 weeks old and doesn't sleep during the day (unless it's on me), just feeds constantly. I'd love for him to take more in each feed and then last longer, and preferably nap. At the moment he feeds at least once an hour.
So far my mothers suggestions have involved trying to soothe him other ways while he cries, but I hate this And I think the nurse who does the well baby checks will probably suggest the same.

So far we go walking everyday, which gives him some time to sleep and me a break from feeding, plus using a pacifier, but this only settles him for a short time.

Any suggestions, or should I just wait until he is older?

[GoBecGo]

I think at 5 weeks he is still getting the hang of feeding and getting your supply established (keeping the breast empty as much as possible is how he tells them to make more) so if i were you (and i was about 10 weeks ago) i would just feed whenever he needs it.

[scrapadoozer]

I think this is just normal newborn behavior. My DS nursed like that for the first two months or so of his life. It is a hard patch, but it does get better.

[SubliminalDarkness]

Normal newborn behavior. Sorry. It usually gets better as the baby gets older.

[Hannah32]

I found this stage SO hard emotionally and psychologically. Looking back, it might have even been a little PPD. My boy just fed and fed and fed. Every two hours! Ha! More like every 45 minutes.

It started to improve for me around 10 weeks, though we at 12 now and in a growth spurt, so it's more like every 1:15 m to 1:30. I have been trying to stretch the feeds out to every two hours since things improved. Usually, I just distract him until it's been 2 hours. If he's real fussy, I go ahead and feed him, but it was starting to work.

When I was in constant nursing mode, some things that helped me were:

1) watching movies while cluster feeding....which *might* give you a slightly longer break afterward
2) cheesy, juicy novels to read
3) trying to nap with the baby while he nurses
4) pumping out a bottle for my husband to feed him while I got some extra sleep or went to the gym or just tried to preserve my sanity (btw, sleeping through feeds gets easier over time, so don't despair)

[PatioGardener]

How is baby's milk transfer? Sometimes they feed more frequently because they are taking a smaller amount each time. Is baby gaining weight well?

But mainly they feed frequently because they digest milk so fast and are hungry.

It usually makes everyone miserable to try to 'stretch' time between feedings. Baby worries that milk may not be available and gets anxious, and Mama has to live with an anxious, hungry baby.

[LittleBirdy]

I hear you mama. DS is 8 weeks old and I felt just beside myself with the frequency of his feedings! It gets easier. DS still eats really frequently - probably every 90 minutes but it's easier because I'm more used to it. And I'm sure as he gets a little older and the world becomes more interesting he will want to nurse less frequently because he'll be too busy having fun!

Do you have a baby swing? DS is not a good napper but he will go down in the baby swing if he's in a tired mood. Sometimes for barely an hour, sometimes for nearly 3... just depends on the day.

[AFWife]

I agree with everyone else...if baby is gaining well (ie: getting enough milk each feeding) there is nothing you can or should do at this point. The first few months were the HARDEST for me. I was worried I wasn't making enough the first 2 weeks...but he gained something like a pound by his first appt (3 weeks in) so the OB told me not to worry and keep feeding on demand.

We watched A LOT of TV (thank God for Hulu) and movies. I got a comfy chair and just camped out there. Sometimes he napped in a swing...but not always.

It does get better!!! Just hang in there, it's totally worth it to feed on demand!

[jecombs]

I've been there too! DS was feeding every hour during the day for about the first 8 weeks of his life. Then he gradually was able to go slightly longer. He's now 3.5 mo. old and goes 1.5-2 hours between feeds, with one 3-4 hour stretch at night.

ITA with pps, do what you have to do to maintain your sanity. For me, that meant watching movies or surfing the net while I nursed. Once, I even broke a bunch of fresh green beans, which we later ate for supper!

It also might be worth your while to make an appointment with LC to check for potential milk transfer issues.

[JudiAU]

At five weeks he is still getting the hang of things. He'll likely figure things out soon and figure out a more predictable pattern. I really think it is much, much to early to do anything but nurse on demand.

[LadyCatherine185]

He is MUCH too young for you to be trying to stretch out feedings. It takes 6 weeks to establish your milk supply. They have many growth spurts in the first few months. Try to sit back and enjoy this time with him.. it won't last long, and you will miss newborn baby snuggles.

FWIW, my DS nursed every hour during the day and night for a looong time. But, as he got bigger/stronger it took less time for him to feed. He could drain both sides in under 5 minutes by about 6 months old. And the older they get, the more aware of their surroundings they become and the less they want to nurse.

hang in there mama!

[blessedwithboys]

You are still establishing a milk supply. Your supply is established by demand. A 5weeker needs to demand quite frequently. It may seem frustrating to you know, but it is actually a good thing that he is so eager to feed. With my ds1, I was still fighting him to stay awake long enough to bring a good let-down at that age.

[*Jade*]

Thanks all, I'm glad to hear its normal (and that it does get better!!)

As for the milk transfer - I'm not sure if it's great, because we use a nipple shield. And his weight gain is good (although we supplement with formula during the night, which was started due to weight loss). His last weigh in he gained 270grams / 9.5oz in a week, which I assume is good.

[pumpkin]

The thing that saved my sanity was borrowing an iPod touch with a kindle
App so I could read books. Also lots of tv and movies.

It does get better.
Posted via Mobile Device

[tankgirl73]

I'm not an expert, but I would probably recommend you wean yourself off the nipple shield earlier rather than later, and avoid the pacifier as much as possible. It can interfere with proper latching, and if they're meeting their sucking needs from the plastic instead of from the boob, it can inhibit your supply.

Same with the formula... I don't know if the "weight loss" was just within the normal parameters for weight loss in the first week, which many drs will panic about because they don't understand what BF babies' patterns (ie, NORMAL patterns) of weight gain actually look like. Or if it was truly weight loss that deserved intervention. If he's now gaining, though, you should get off the formula, that stuff can do damage to the gut and it can also interfere with proper latch and with your supply for the same reasons as the pacifier.

If he was truly losing weight before the formula, then you probably should look into feeding issues, like tongue tie, or maybe that shield is interfering. Again, I'm not an expert, just these are the possibilities that come to mind from what I've heard about with other mums.

Anyway -- as to the topic of keeping your sanity during this totally normal phase of CONSTANT feeding (around 6 weeks is a common growth spurt time too) -- I'll echo the suggestions of TV, books, movies, even computer games. Just let this be "me time", relax and do nothing but bond with your baby and keep yourself entertained. I took up hemp jewelry weaving around that time lol...

But also, if you're not already, do wear your baby around the house. A simple soft pouch sling will do the trick, or a wrap if you're up for the challenge (a little tricky to master but SOOOOO worth it when you do). Being held close to you like that all day -- while keeping your hands free to do other stuff -- helps relax baby, and they sleep better too. Plus, baby is close to your boobs (even when not nursing) and that seems to help stimulate production too! And with just a little practice, you can even nurse hands-free while they're in the sling. I never really got the hang of hands-free nursing when DD was that little, but could easily do one-handed, so I could still do lots of other things while she was... busy.

[Jane]

Did they give you weaning advice with the nipple sheild? The sheilds are awesome and also a total pain. Washing, finding, positioning, etc. It's so much easier without one. Lemme know if you want some tips.
Usually milk transfer is a little less with the sheild, but depends on baby/mama.
I'd probably recommend trying to get more milk into the baby at each feed and still let him nurse on demand. If he takes more, you may get a better stretch. Tips for more milk transfer at a feed:
Heat pack the breasts for 10-15 minutes before a feed
Massage the breast for a minute or two before a feed
Tickle the babe's feet or behind the ears to encourage more sucking and swallowing in the same time, ie, get 20 more sucks in the same amount of time.
Change the baby between sides
Make sure you're fully emptying the starter boob, before topping off the second side. Start the next feed on the top off side. Total nursing time for a young baby is often 40-50 minutes. 30 on the first side, 10-20 on the second.
Use breast compression (Dr. Newman's site has info) to encourage more milk into the babe.
Consider adding galactogues, like more milk tea or oatmeal, or even fenugreek to your diet/suppliment regimen.

Remember, this too shall pass. It does get easier! I promise!

[*Jade*]

Originally Posted by tankgirl73

Same with the formula... I don't know if the "weight loss" was just within the normal parameters for weight loss in the first week, which many drs will panic about because they don't understand what BF babies' patterns (ie, NORMAL patterns) of weight gain actually look like. Or if it was truly weight loss that deserved intervention. If he's now gaining, though, you should get off the formula, that stuff can do damage to the gut and it can also interfere with proper latch and with your supply for the same reasons as the pacifier.

If he was truly losing weight before the formula, then you probably should look into feeding issues, like tongue tie, or maybe that shield is interfering. Again, I'm not an expert, just these are the possibilities that come to mind from what I've heard about with other mums.

From what I've read online 5-7% loss is ok, the hospital said up to 10% but he lost 12%. Mostly, I believe, because my milk didn't come in till day 6/7. But then after we went home and stopped the formula (just bf and pumped) he only gained 25g/ <1oz in 4 day, so we started the formula again, but not at every feed like they suggested.
At the moment I let him go on one breast until he pulls himself off and starts to doze, then burp him and let him do the same on the other side.

And thanks everyone for the bored tips, I swear, without a DVR (tivo) I'd be gong mad!

Apricot - did you wean off the shield? I try without, but I can't figure out the shape I'm supposed to make it, even though I've been shown a million times.

[AislinCarys]

You might want to check that he swallows with most sucks. Put a finger on his neck, under his chin and ear. You should feel it. DD didn't swallow much, lost weight and my supply dipped. Keep him feeding actively for at least an hour at a time, by tickling, taking clothes off, changing nappy, changing breasts (switch-nursing - which actually is a good method to up supply). The bonus from this was that DD started sleeping in the daytime after we changed the feedings. She'd be awake 30 min after each feed, and the I took her for a walk to sleep. She became a much happier baby almost right away!

You are very welcome to pm me if you want to know more, from what you have told us, I think our situations are quite similar!