Frustrated with nursing

[SMH]

Really I should have said I was frustrated with night nursing. My little man was born on June 29th and still nursing almost every 2 hrs at night. I can't stand to let him cry so I can't not feed him but I'm so tired! I have two other children and a busy busy life, I need a little sleep! I'm not asking for 10hrs, not even 5 hrs but I would like maybe 4 or so.

Is this normal for a co-sleeping, bfing 2 1/2 month old? I nursed both my other two but I can't remember being this tired and just so annoyed with it. What can I do to make this co-sleeping, bfing exp better for me???

HELP!!!!

[Ruthla]

Are you able to nurse him lying down, and doze off while feeding him? I was never able to do that with a newborn (even when tandem nursing,) but by 3 or 4 months we had it figured out. It saved my sanity-and very possibly my nursing relationships as well!

[Isis]

For being 2.5 months old, this is VERY normal whether you breastfed, formula fed, cosleep or crib sleep. That babe is so very young and still needing a lot of nourishment it sounds like. I know it's hard but you'll get through it. You're a mama- you don't have a choice. And obviously you know, it's not safe to let a baby that young CIO at night. (I don't believe in it at all) I wish you much needed sleep in the near future. And congrats on the baby

Is there anyone that can come and assist during the day so you can nap a little?

[SMH]

Oh geez I hope I didn't give the impression that I like CIO at any age!! I do get a nap here and there but it just doesn't seem like enough! I'm so tired!!

I do nurse laying don with him. I guess it's because I have 3 so close I haven't gotten a good night sleep in over 3 yrs. I'm just tired !

[Isis]

Originally Posted by SMH

Oh geez I hope I didn't give the impression that I like CIO at any age!! I do get a nap here and there but it just doesn't seem like enough! I'm so tired!!

I do nurse laying don with him. I guess it's because I have 3 so close I haven't gotten a good night sleep in over 3 yrs. I'm just tired !

You poor thing. You must be wiped out. I think as ds gets older, you'll be able to nurse him lying down in your sleep!

[Kia]

Here's a big hug for you mama

My little girl was born on June 25th - last year. And last year at this time, I was exactly where you are now: 3 kids and no sleep. Believe me, poor sleep-deprived mama, it does get better. Very slowly and very gradually - not overnight.

My Alina was waking up as often as every 15 min. until she was around 10 months old and now she is sleeping 4, 5, 6 even 7 hour stretches depending on her mood

Hang in there. It's not as if you have any choice, right?

Lots of love to you,

Kia

[sophmama]

Wow - you have a lot going on! Is there any chance you can get some help from someone else and get some down time with just you & the baby? At that age it sounds like a normal nursing relationship. Can you cut back on your busy schedule a little bit for a while?

[mommy love]

dont want to discourage you but ds was born nov 22 2004 and still nurses often in the night we also co sleep some nights are better than others good luck i understand

[mama24-7]

My ds was born in June too and I don't know how often he nurses at night because I don't count how many times he wakes and I don't watch the clock. It has really helped me to not be frustrated because I really don't know. I learned not to watch the clock about 1.5 years ago when I would be trying to get dd to sleep (she's now 3) and would get really mad when after an hour, I'd still be trying.

So, in short, try not to watch the clock & count how often he wakes you. ANd, if you can get someone to come over to help you during the day w/ the other two so you can nap when the baby does. Have you thought of hiring a neighborhood kid or HS kid to come and play w/ them while you doze? You might be able to get someone like that for less $ than someone w/ a lot of experience baby sitting (and since they won't be baby sitting because you'll be home, you can probably pay them less).

HTH & hugs to you,
Sus

[alegna]

Totally normal. Maybe you can get someone to take the older kids on a couple of special trips and give you some rest time and nap time with the baby.

-Angela

[SMH]

Thanks for all the support! I really appreciate and need it right now !

[Mountaingirl3]

My hat is off to you, SMH ! I can't believe how close your kids are. My first two were 19 months apart and the second was high-needs and it almost killed me!

Our third was born on June 2nd and we cosleep, too. I don't know if this is controversial, but I let him suck on my pinky when he wakes up at night. I can do this practically in my sleep. He sleeps on my right, so I just turn his head towards me and use my right hand pinky. If he is hungry, he keeps fussing and I sit up and feed him, but many times, he goes back to sleep (or never wakes up completely). He usually eats twice a night for about 15 minutes each time. He's 97% for weight, and I've never had supply issues, so I think this is working for us. Maybe it would be helpful?

The swaddling is also great for helping him stay asleep. We have the Miracle Blanket, but I think there are a lot of easy-to-use swaddling blankets out there.

Best of luck to you! I know how crazy it feels to try to be a good Mama to three kids on no sleep .

[Mountaingirl3]

I hope things are going better for you!

[SMH]

Actully things aren't getting better bu it's ok! He's so wonderful and sweet that most days I don't mind...sometimes I do though.
Today I had a hair apt so I took him. He nursed right before I left and then two times while I was there. It was 3 times in 3 hrs...he was really tired but wouldn't fall asleep. Oh-well I guess, that's what us moms do.

My middle child is really a handfull! I'm having a rough time with her but the better she communicates the better things get. I really need to work on reading her better and being even more attentive then I already am.

Thanks so much for thinking of me !