nighttime nightmare!!

[cartwheelroll]

My son is 6wks old n being breastfed. Every evening from 7 until around 10/11pm he feeds constantly-and I really mean constantly with no breaks! Obviously he is asleep for part of this time but if I take him off he wakes and cries almost instantly. Eventually he finishes himself and then I can move him to his bed but its driving me insane!!

I did think he perhaps wasn't getting enough as I wasn't getting much when I tried to hand express as a test but we then tried topping him up with formula but this didn't help.

So two problems really. Firstly that this situation is driving me insane and cant continue long term as it means i cant even leave the couch for the entire evening and secondly he can't get to sleep without my boob! Any advice???

 

[optimistic1]

6 week growth spurt. He's probably trying to build your supply for when he's bigger..they do this periodically and it only lasts a few days. Although my daughters lasted over a week. It was exhausting but we made it. I wouldn't top up with formula if your going to continue to breast feed your nipples need the simulation so they can produce enough milk to accommodate your Los needs.

 

[Kellen]

This is very normal. At the time it feels like it lasts forever, but eventually he will stop doing this. My LO used to feed constantly from 8-11. Now she goes to sleep at 7:30 and doesn't wake up until 5am for the next feed... well, except for last night when we were up every 2 hours. Not sure what happened?

 

[cartwheelroll]

Sounds like I'll have to grin and bear it for now - thanks for the replies ladies. I don't think its a growth spurt as has been like this since birth!

 

[Kellen]

Mine was like that from birth until about two months. It eventually will become easier. Have you experiment with laying down and nursing? That was our turning point.

 

[AC1987]

My LO fed on the hour for a LONG time well that's what it felt like, but in reality 2 months.

 

[sarahh]

Cluster feeding in the evening for newborns is normal if you go to Kelly's mum website she has lots of info on normal breast feeding behaviour.