The Cluster-Feeding Survival Thread

[jessicaR4bbit]

Very normal yep. I'd also get this weird 'pulling' sensation inside my breasts while he sucked when they felt empty, and I'm convinced it was my breasts filling up while he was nursing but I don't really know what it was. It only happens when he cluster feeds after a few hours.

 

[Flutterly]

Oooooooh is this what my LO is doing??!! I'm having a mare at the mo because not only are feeds taking a good couple of hours, when he does go off to sleep he screams if I put him down! Thus i can do absolutely nothing else!!!

Thanks for this post!!

 

[PG5K]

Thanks for the link, its set my hormones off so I just want to cry...but in a nice way.

This is what my feeding has been today and tonight. I've had a couple of hours sleep when my Dh cuddled her
9:20 10 mins - R
10:15 2 mins - L
10:35 8 mins - L
12:10 10 mins - R
13:35 8 mins - L
14:00 3 mins - L
16:35 25 mins - R >L
19:25 5 min - R
20:05 10 mins - L
21:30 10 mins - R
10:30 10 mins - L
23:05 10 mins - L
23:35 3 mins - R
00:45 5 mins - R
1:38 5 mins - L
2:05 2 mins - R
3:15 15 mins - R
5:05 10 mins - L
5:25 3 mins - L
5:40 7 mins - R
6:12 3 mins - R

I am finding it difficult that my husband is upset that he can't do anything to soothe her when she cries. He finds it really frustrating and I get upset because I can see how down he looks about it.

 

[Scromfy]

My DH felt the same way but tell him it will change. In the early days they just need so much boob time it's hard to DH to really get in there! My DH did almost all diaper changes in the early days. Also got me water, tea, snacks, etc, which really helped. Now that LO is older he is much more easily entertained by daddy. Try not to worry...

What are healthy snacks though? Chocolate is healthy right?!

Thanks for the link, its set my hormones off so I just want to cry...but in a nice way.

This is what my feeding has been today and tonight. I've had a couple of hours sleep when my Dh cuddled her
9:20 10 mins - R
10:15 2 mins - L
10:35 8 mins - L
12:10 10 mins - R
13:35 8 mins - L
14:00 3 mins - L
16:35 25 mins - R >L
19:25 5 min - R
20:05 10 mins - L
21:30 10 mins - R
10:30 10 mins - L
23:05 10 mins - L
23:35 3 mins - R
00:45 5 mins - R
1:38 5 mins - L
2:05 2 mins - R
3:15 15 mins - R
5:05 10 mins - L
5:25 3 mins - L
5:40 7 mins - R
6:12 3 mins - R

I am finding it difficult that my husband is upset that he can't do anything to soothe her when she cries. He finds it really frustrating and I get upset because I can see how down he looks about it.

 

[seaweed eater]

Munchkin's 3 week growth spurt lasted about 40 hours...two straight days of cluster feeding, and one night in between where he woke every 1-1.5 hours. It was rough. It felt like it would never end...but it did. I will try to keep that in mind when the 6 week growth spurt hits.

 

[toby1331]

I made myself a comfy spot on the couch. Tucking myself in the corner gave me support. I had comfy pillows and blanket. I had snacks, water, my laptop all by me and lots of shows to watch on netflix. I didn't try to get anything else done.

I use organic coconut oil and slather it on my nipples to help keep them moist. I also wet a soft face cloth (one of my LO!) and put it in the freezer for a few minutes. Putting them on my boobs helps.
Having a supportive OH is also really important. My OH would take her and snuggle her between feeds, even if it was only for a few minutes!

My LO is currently hitting her six week growth spurt and the dreaded cluster feedings have come back. I will say the pacifier is really helpful this time. Some of the time she just wants to comfort feed. Giving her the pacifier allows me to know if she's hungry or comfort feeding and can spread the feedings out a little longer.

 

[fifi-folle]

8.5 hours yesterday 430pm to 1am. I was in tears and ready to give up!

 

[armywife11]

Hang in their girls it gets easier I promise!

 

[5_Year_Plan]

So I guess this is what my LO is doing ATM? We have been sat on the sofa all day most days for over a week (he's 7 1/2 weeks now) where he went from left boob to right boob & back again with next to no break for hours in end!

He did seem to be following a pattern of alternating days between an eating day & a sleeping day, & will not be put down at all. Last night he woke up at 2am, 2 hours after his last feed, & fed for 5-10 minutes every 15-30 minutes for the next 3 1/2 hours. He had a really full messy nappy after this & seems to have filled it again as soon as it was changed- too much of the laxative effect from foremilk do you think?

Is this cluster feeding or am I doing something wrong? Is it still the 6 week growth spurt? It's only going to get worse after his jabs tomorrow in sure! oh well, good bye sleep!!

Xx