cluster feeding

[tiredbuthappy]

can't believe i have so many questions...

so the past few nights, dd is cluster feeding- spending several hours on the boob. i don't mind, because it's always followed by a longer stretch of sleep. the unfortunate thing is her timing- it always seems to be during my turn to sleep. i sleep uninterrupted from around 10-12 while dh keeps her downstairs. anyways... I am not sure how to go about feeding her in these never-ending sessions. Do i keep alternating sides? I got thrown off when she finished a side, but only did a little on the next. So when she returned for more a short time later, i put her back on the second side, which messed up the switching routine. either way, both boobs were soon deflated, and she was looking for more.

i gave her a full feed the other night and went to bed. Apparently, she was rooting like crazy shortly after, so DH, wanting to give me a little sleep, finger fed her 2 ounces. She continued rooting like crazy, so he gave her the pacifier incase it was just for comfort. No luck, so an hour after I did a full feed, and only 30 minutes after DH gave her 2 ounces of breast milk, she was back on for another feed. 10 minutes after i think she's done, she's frantically looking for more.

so my questions are- how can she possibly eat so much? she's only 11 days old. how do i know she's actually hungry and not looking for comfort? When she's doing this (going back on the boob every 10 minutes), do i put her back on the side she was working on or go to the other side?

i'm not complaining- after these insane sessions, she'll go for over 4 wonderful hours before the next feed. so the aggrevation is definitely worth it. i don't even try to figure out how long it is btw feeds, since the previous session lasts like 2 hours. I just don't know if i'm doing this right, and of course it happens when we're tired and frustrated.

[pertykitty]

it seems the first couple months they do nurse pretty much constantly.  my mil was here for xmas and addy was about 8 weeks.  she would nurse ALL the time and mil said "she cant be hungry" and would try to not give her to me.  boy that was fun lol.  

i know you will be exhausted but at this age id give it to her every time she needs it.  not only will it keep her happy and satisfied but your milk will really come in well.  i mentioned in another post that when she was 2 weeks old dh left for the boat for 2 weeks.  i sat in bed crying because addy would nurse what seemed all night long.  then suddenly she stopped doing that.  

i think at some point you want to quit using lanolin and let your nipples get used to her nursing.  i would compare it to when i had braces lol.  i put wax on them so my lip wouldnt hurt.  the dds told me to stop it so my tissue could toughen up and get used to it.  well they did.  

i know some babies can take a paci and bottle and not be confused, but some can.  try turning your finger upside down and let her suck on it and see if it works.  you will get over this hump and it will be the easiest thing you have ever done, i promise!

[jenstam]

She may be able to pull some out if she is sucking, even if you feel she isn't getting any. Not only that, but she is definitely helping your body produce more and keep up with supply and demand! The more she latches on, the more your body will produce. There is usually a delayed reaction though, so expect that to take a few days to happen. But, it is completely normal for her to want to be at the breast constantly, even though you need sleep! I remember this and it's one of the things I dread once this baby is born. Don't get me wrong, it's rewarding but so exhausting!! Too bad we can't just sleep and have hubby latch baby on! Oh, and I always went with whichever side seemed less deflated. If you can't tell, just do opposite side of what was done last. Sometimes, even though I fed on one side it would still seem fuller than the other at the next feeding. Sometimes it's just a coin toss! Good luck, sounds like she is a little piggy, which is good for supply! Pictures soon?? (:

[mum2beagain]

I agree with Jen, feed from the side you think she will get the most satisfaction from. If she only fed a short while from one breast and there is still the hind milk in there give her that one; the hind milk will satisfy her hunger better. If it feels deflated and empty offer the other side.
Right now she is working on building your supply to meet her needs, she's only tiny and feeding will tire her easily by the end of the day. Sam was the same, from about 7pm to 11pm I sat myself on the couch with him on a cushion and had him latched on pretty much the whole time, he would feed for a bit, fall asleep for 30 minutes or so and then feed again. Usually by about 11pm he was sleepy and full and would go about 4 hours before he woke again.

[NicMom]

I had the same problem the pediatrician called it cluster feedings and it seemed to last for hours in the middle of the night. The doctor told me it goes away after the first couple of weeks. Hang in there it does seem to get better.