Newborn constantly feeding and spitting up

[kiwii]

Throughout the day, my baby is content, sleeps a good amount, and I feed him about every 3 hours. He spits up a lot while feeding. I've been told its normal and just something we will have to deal with. But, at night it seems like I feed him non stop for hours at a time and he's spitting up each time. It doesn't matter how often I burp him or the position I nurse him in, it's just endless. I can't take it and I'm so ready to give up. How do I deal with this? I'm exhausted and I dread breastfeeding. Any advice in how to reduce the ridiculous amount of spitup or how to decrease the length of nightly feedings would be appreciated. I feel like I'm failing and all I do is cry wondering what I'm doing wrong and worried that I'm not providing what I can for him. I'm also interested in exclusively pumping so I can actually see how much he's getting and I could have some help. Any opinions on that?

 

[rainbowskin]

Sounds like clusterfeeding which is normal. The baby will feed constantly especially at night to bring up your milk supply and this lasts for the first month or so and then during growth spurts. I know it is hard but hang in there because it doesn't last long. I found that it helped to just resign myself to the fact I would be glued to the couch that first month and watched lots of movies and ate snacks
As for spitting up.. my LO does that too and I was told it is fine and normal and not of concern unless there is projectile vomiting where it shoots out, no weight gain, or if he seemed to be in pain. As for pumping, you can't tell how much a baby is getting from a pump. Babies are able to suckle out a lot more than you will be able to pump so its not an accurate way to see how much a baby is getting
As long as the baby is having plenty of wet and dirty diapers and gaining they are getting what they need it really does get easier the first month is hard but it really pays off and the spitting up will subside in time as well in the meantime its just a lot of extra laundry.

 

[kiwii]

Thanks for your response! I'm trying to deal with it, but I'm so exhausted. I'm still recovering from a traumatic delivery and its tough not truly being able to relax. Not to mention I cannot get comfy sitting it laying because everything is painful. Everyone keeps asking if they can help but there's nothing anyone can do when you're breastfeeding.

 

[kiwii]

Another question. It also seems like he spits up less the less I burp him. Has anyone else experienced that? I get paranoid about not burping him as much but if it keeps it down then I'll try to not burp him unless it seems like he really needs it.

 

[sewing_mama]

Hi kiwii, I remember you from 3rd tri. just wanted to say I am going through exactly the same think with my 3 week old, she feeds every 3 hours through the day with sleeps inbetween but she cluster feeds all night & it's so hard because I'm so tired by that time & can't get comfy while feeding in bed. I am going to try getting some sleep during the day to prepare myself for the night time feeding. My baby also spits up a lot & it's harder to settle her after she's been burpy/sick. Hoping this phase settles down soon as it's very draining. I also took a while to recover from birth as I lost a lot of blood so maybe that's why she's trying to get my milk supply up.

 

[kiwii]

Congrats on your little one! I hope our babies get on a better schedule soon! It is tough, isn't it? I never expected to feel this way. I guess I'm glad it's common and not just me but ugh how do people do this without needing to scream or cry at the end of every day lol. My husband has seen me in tears more this week than the entire time we've been together. I also miss the comfort of sleeping next to him at night.

The amount of spitup... I know people say its normal but I just can't take it. I want to scream when we are both bathed in it multiple times a day.

 

[MaisyMay]

Hi Kiwii, I just thought I'd let you know my story and see if it helps at all. I went throught the exact same thing with my little man. He wanted to be fed all the time and as soon as he finished feeding he screamed. He was being sick so much. We got him checked out at 6 days old and after they watched him feed they admitted us to hospital to monitor him. It runs out he had reflux which meant that the little sphincter in his oesophegus wasn't completely closed so milk and stomanch acid was flowing up and down hence the sick and the acid was causing him pain. The reason he didn't want to stop feeding was because the sucking and milk was a comfort and soothing him as it neutralised the acid. Reflux is very common and he'll out grow it. Your lo might not have this but if there's alot of sick it might be worth mentioning to the health visitor. HV generally have alot of training in reflux. All the best to you. It does get easier it really really does, reflux or not. Our baba was given ranitidine to neutralise the acid in his tummy and it made him so much more comfortable xx

 

[keela]

My son spits up so much his doctor was suprises but as he is gaining weight and not showin signs if pain it's normal.
Is there anyway you can bed share and nurse laying down? That's the only way I survived. Otherwise I was up all night and it was hard to get LO to settle back to sleep.

 

[AC1987]

awww hang in there ladies it is HARD isn't it? I wasn't able to do it alone I called my mom up crying and asked her to come help me, thankfully she did then I was finally able to sleep. So if you need help then don't be afraid to call someone

 

[tinytabby]

It's tough eh? But it gets easier as everyone says.

Some babies need lots of burping, some don't. Some babies puke lots, some don't. Over the next few weeks you'll get to learn all about your baby and what they do, what they like and what they need. It's a difficult time but its kind of special too.

As pp have said, get checked out for reflux. However you could just have a happy puker on your hands. (My LO is one. She just seems to overflow.) if that's the case, get lots of bibs and muslins ready and prepare to have to wash your sofa cushions!

 

[rainbowskin]

Another question. It also seems like he spits up less the less I burp him. Has anyone else experienced that? I get paranoid about not burping him as much but if it keeps it down then I'll try to not burp him unless it seems like he really needs it.

I always burp him even though I know he will spit up.. I have gotten pretty good at holding his bib or a receiving blanket under his chin to catch it.