Breastfeeding

I've been ebf dd who is 2 weeks old. I'm sure this is all fairly typical but I need some advice. Dd nurses what seems like 24/7. She will sometimes nurse for over an hour and then like 15mins later will scream for it again for another like 40mins. I know that I have plenty of milk bc I am able to pump about 5oz at a time. I feel like she barely lets me get up to eat or use the bathroom. When dh gets home I think that I'll get a little break but she screams bloody murder bc she wants to boob again. If she falls asleep and I pull out of her mouth (bc she's not latched anymore) she will instantly wake up and want more. She will not take a pacifier. I've tried many different kinds and if I even attempt to offer her one she makes a noise like she's choking.

So is this all normal? Is there anything u did that helped? I love breast feeding but I'm exhausted and my nipples are so sore so any advice would be appreciated!

Message edited 5/2/2013 8:46:33 PM.

Breastfeeding

YES!!! It is normal!!! The first few weeks are SOOOOO hard because you feel like all you are doing is sitting in a chair with a baby on the boob. But something happens around the 6 week mark. It gets sooo much easier. Part of it is that they are eating, another part is that they are using you as a pacifier. Another thing that they don't always tell you is that breastmilk digest a LOT faster than formula. So they do need to eat more often than ff babies.

As for the sore nips, air them out, put on lansinoh lanolin and know that in 2 more weeks, it won't feel that bad.

Message edited 5/2/2013 9:01:16 PM.

Re: Breastfeeding

IT GETS BETTER...I PROMISE!
I posted a few times on her about having trouble and DS wanting to eat constantly. I started supplementing around 4 weeks because I couldn't take it anymore. Once I took the pressure off myself...within a week I was back to breastfeeding 100%. Between 5 and 6 weeks things got so much easier. He nurses quicker..maybe 20 min or so. It still can be every 2 hours or so but so much better.

He is also sleeping 8-9 hours straight at night.

Hang in there

Re: Breastfeeding

First of all congrats on your new little one! You are doing a great job so far so hang in there! I know you prob don't want to hear this but it is definitely normal. They nurse for comfort, when they are hungry, to build your supply and because they love their mama! Anyway it sounds like she is cluster feeding...my DD did this at night on an off for 6 hours and it lasted 8-9 weeks. My nipple pain lasted that long too - ouch but it was all worth it. Do whatever you need to do to get through it and just know it will end.

Ok so is she napping at all? Can you try swaddling her and then feeding her so she stays nice and warming and comfy? Also maybe a moby wrap or baby carrier would be good for her to nap in so she is close to you? Do you have a swing? My DD hated it at first but after a few weeks she took to it. Try putting her up on your shoulder and walking around the house if she gets cranky or rock her with a bounce. Just keep trying things and keep repeating "this is a phase and it will end!". I know when you are going through it you think it will never end but it will. Hang in there!!!

Breastfeeding

Like everyone else has said, it really does get better! The first few weeks are so incredibly hard because you really are attached almost 24/7. Your DD is still learning how to nurse efficiently, so it takes a lot longer than now than it will in a few weeks. Eventually it will become second nature to both you and her. She also might eventually take a paci, which will be extremely helpful. My DD refused the paci until at least 4-6 wks and now she loves it. Hang in there, it will get easier!

Re: Breastfeeding

Thanks everyone! Im glad to see that its normal. I was getting worried bc shes hardly ever off the boob and screams if shes not.

Re: Breastfeeding

Re: Breastfeeding

Message edited 5/3/2013 7:54:48 AM.

Breastfeeding

I agree with tyrese although I don't think a 2 week old can self soothe without a pacifier.. Dd was using me to pacify herself and it got so bad my nipples were cracked and bleeding. I was able to get her to take a pacifier though...I literally have 6 different ones and played around until she found one she liked (she likes the avent soothie but all babies are different). There were times I would put a drop of milk on it to coax her into taking it but it worked. Once she stopped using me as a pacifier a schedule came easy and I could tell her hungry cry and knew she needed to eat every 2.5 hours

Message edited 5/3/2013 9:54:27 AM.

Breastfeeding

My DS is 3 weeks and it's the same story. I just sit with my iphone and check email, FB etc or watch tv. Have you tried nursing lying down that helps with the strain on your back. I have only had my mom give him a pacifier went I "escaped" to the store. Since this is my second time I know it will get better even if it seems like an eternity....

Breastfeeding

Like others said, it will get better... Mine wouldn't take pacis, so I was it. A 2 week old cannot self soothe!