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New baby and post birth advice #5
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@Abcd123 how old is your wee one again? (Sorry if you've mentioned it in the last thread I can't quote onto this one) it could be cluster feeding? Some nights I couldn't move from the sofa for 4/5 hours cos she just wanted fed that full time. Occasionally we still get days like that where I feel like I can't feed her enough and I'm stuck in front of the telly the full day being milked like a cow 
I tend to just write off those days and not get anything done though
I tend to just write off those days and not get anything done though Yep exactly the same here! Looking at my baby tracker app it’s not uncommon for her to feed 9-10 separate times per day (not including a cluster feeding episode as I usually don’t bother logging these on the app). It can be totally relentless some days and then others she’ll go 3 hours without a feed!@Abcd123 how old is your wee one again? (Sorry if you've mentioned it in the last thread I can't quote onto this one) it could be cluster feeding? Some nights I couldn't move from the sofa for 4/5 hours cos she just wanted fed that full time. Occasionally we still get days like that where I feel like I can't feed her enough and I'm stuck in front of the telly the full day being milked like a cow
I agree- cluster feeding is so intense. I posted on here a few weeks ago that I was convinced my boobs were empty! My baby is now 12 weeks old and feeding has become much more predictable and consistent. I feed every 3 to 4 hours in the day and then he sleeps at least 8 hours.@Abcd123 how old is your wee one again? (Sorry if you've mentioned it in the last thread I can't quote onto this one) it could be cluster feeding? Some nights I couldn't move from the sofa for 4/5 hours cos she just wanted fed that full time. Occasionally we still get days like that where I feel like I can't feed her enough and I'm stuck in front of the telly the full day being milked like a cow
This is in contrast to every 2 hours in the early days and some evening were every 30 minutes.
Keep going
@Abcd123 yeah, that was exactly my experience. For the first month he was constantly attached to me, my partner used to call him my extra limb. He’s 2 months now and I’ve found that the mornings are much better but afternoons are still a feeding frenzy. He cluster feeds from about 2/3 until 6 then feeds until bed.
I would definitely keep putting her back on as much as she wants, she’ll be increasing your supply to what she needs especially with the move from pumping to direct feeding.
In terms of getting things done, for now some things might just have to wait. It won’t be forever and you’ll be able to juggle things soon.
Honestly though, your mental health is so important and pumping is breastfeeding just differently. You should be so proud of yourself for persevering. You’re doing the best you can and that’s all you can do. Sending positive vibes
I would definitely keep putting her back on as much as she wants, she’ll be increasing your supply to what she needs especially with the move from pumping to direct feeding.
In terms of getting things done, for now some things might just have to wait. It won’t be forever and you’ll be able to juggle things soon.
Honestly though, your mental health is so important and pumping is breastfeeding just differently. You should be so proud of yourself for persevering. You’re doing the best you can and that’s all you can do. Sending positive vibes
This gives me hope!!!!I agree- cluster feeding is so intense. I posted on here a few weeks ago that I was convinced my boobs were empty! My baby is now 12 weeks old and feeding has become much more predictable and consistent. I feed every 3 to 4 hours in the day and then he sleeps at least 8 hours.
This is in contrast to every 2 hours in the early days and some evening were every 30 minutes.
Keep going
She is only 13 days old. After a bottle she's cot ent for a while though. 2.5-3hrs id say minimum, whereas before husband gave her bottle at 4pm, she was on me every 5mins, fell asleep then crying. So I basically gave up for tonight and he gave bottle. She's far happier.@Abcd123 how old is your wee one again? (Sorry if you've mentioned it in the last thread I can't quote onto this one) it could be cluster feeding? Some nights I couldn't move from the sofa for 4/5 hours cos she just wanted fed that full time. Occasionally we still get days like that where I feel like I can't feed her enough and I'm stuck in front of the telly the full day being milked like a cow
My understanding (and I could be wrong so someone can correct me) is that it's much harder to get from breast than bottle and if her tongue has just been cut she's basically having to re learn with her "new" tongue so probably isn't as efficient at getting as much which is probably why she is getting hungrier sooner and probably a bit more frustrated, but with practice will get better. But you need to do what's right for your mental health, fed is best!
You definitely need to do what feels best for you and baby. I’m sure combo feeding works really well for lots of families. All I would say about breastfeeding is that by 13 days, I hadn’t got a clue what I was doing and neither had baby. I didn’t find it came naturally to me or baby but am so glad I preserved x
@Abcd123 you mentioned in your post feeding for 5 then for 15 mins. Try not to time feedings because it’s no indication of how much baby gets. Some babies will feed for 5 mins and get the same amount as a baby who feeds for 20. Even the same baby can do this on the same day. I know it’s hard, these first weeks are so rough. But I can confirm it is totally normal for baby to want to feed and feed, on and off and on and off. Remember that she will feed for more than just milk too, she maybe wants a wee snuggle with her mummy and that’s the way she knows how, where she feels safe and cosy 
And as said above, if she’s had her tongue tie cut she’ll maybe still be feeding inefficiently so she may have to feed more often, and she’ll tire easily from it.
And I love what Ilando has said about it not coming naturally. It’s such a skill for both you and baby, it has to be worked at and learnt, despite what many things would have you believe! But it’s hard, and it’s sometimes just too much and that’s absolutely ok
And as said above, if she’s had her tongue tie cut she’ll maybe still be feeding inefficiently so she may have to feed more often, and she’ll tire easily from it.
And I love what Ilando has said about it not coming naturally. It’s such a skill for both you and baby, it has to be worked at and learnt, despite what many things would have you believe! But it’s hard, and it’s sometimes just too much and that’s absolutely ok
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Sending love, I can’t imagine how worrying it all must be for you. I don’t know about clapping, but my kids never would have waved at anyone as a baby, it definitely wasn’t a thing they did at all (but my kids are very anti social
). If she’s crawling and interacting well with smiles I think that sounds amazing tbh! I always wonder why clapping and waving are a thing we mark as a milestone with babies. Like, why do they need to be able to clap?!Thank you. This is so well put. I've screen shot it to keep. Day 13 is so early on. And with TT I need to give her/us a chance.i just got scared today that she'd need to feed every 5mins and I couldn't live like that. But I've over reacted I think! X
Yeh combo feeding could work. Specialist today said to wait 8 weeks before introducing a bottle though...so I think I need to go cold turkey on the boob for a couple of days, get her weighed and see if she's gained/lost/check nappies then decide what to do. Thanks for the reply and for providi g some clarity for my mind! X
Baby b had her first jabs today and I’ve been giving her Calpol as prescribed - she HATES it and even though I’ve been so careful squirting it so slowly into the side of her mouth she’s still coughing and choking on it 
I don’t dare put her down now!
I don’t dare put her down now!That's worth noting re the feeding time, I didn't k ow that. And yes if course she may just want snuggle/comfort. I've got a sling coming from amazon tomorrow which will help I think. I feel like it'd so hard with a newborn and a 4year old. Feel guilty husband doing all the jobs too. Even though I shouldn't! Sorry for rambling and thanks again. X@Abcd123 you mentioned in your post feeding for 5 then for 15 mins. Try not to time feedings because it’s no indication of how much baby gets. Some babies will feed for 5 mins and get the same amount as a baby who feeds for 20. Even the same baby can do this on the same day. I know it’s hard, these first weeks are so rough. But I can confirm it is totally normal for baby to want to feed and feed, on and off and on and off. Remember that she will feed for more than just milk too, she maybe wants a wee snuggle with her mummy and that’s the way she knows how, where she feels safe and cosy
And as said above, if she’s had her tongue tie cut she’ll maybe still be feeding inefficiently so she may have to feed more often, and she’ll tire easily from it.
And I love what Ilando has said about it not coming naturally. It’s such a skill for both you and baby, it has to be worked at and learnt, despite what many things would have you believe! But it’s hard, and it’s sometimes just too much and that’s absolutely ok
Blow on her face to make her swallow it before she can choke on it, that is the life hack that saved usBaby b had her first jabs today and I’ve been giving her Calpol as prescribed - she HATES it and even though I’ve been so careful squirting it so slowly into the side of her mouth she’s still coughing and choking on it
All mine have hated it when tiny, it’s so hard to get in to them.Fingers crossed she doesn’t suffer any ill effects from her jabs. First ones are the worst I think xBaby b had her first jabs today and I’ve been giving her Calpol as prescribed - she HATES it and even though I’ve been so careful squirting it so slowly into the side of her mouth she’s still coughing and choking on it
It IS hard, doubly so with older kids. And the guilt is never ending, but remember at 13 days post birth you’re still in recovery so good on your husband for doing all the jobs! You need to rest, so please don’t feel guilty (oh how easy it is to say
) Hopefully the sling will work well for you, and give you some breathing time and time to be with your older one9 months is usually the earliest most babies start to do it.
There is no 'normal' there is a rough average.
Same as, for example, my first 2 babies could sit by themselves at 5 months. Average is 6 months. Everleigh is 7 months old in less than 2 weeks and still can't sit.
However she can crawl. Which my other babies didn't start until at least 8 months.
Every baby is completely different. My son didn't start walking until over a year and a half, my second started walking the week before her first birthday.
Every baby is so different. There's a rough average and that's it. Definitely no need to worry
I’m skim ready as baby has had a TEN HOUR WAKE WINDOW today but when my little one had her TT snip the lady said think of that day as day one of your BF journey. Not sure if this is helpful I’m eating dinner and need to rush back to little miss I don’t need sleep x
I have never heard of this!! Will try it, thanksBlow on her face to make her swallow it before she can choke on it, that is the life hack that saved us
10 hours!!
she’s 9 weeks as well right? good luck - hopefully she makes up for it tonight…!
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