HELP! 3wks Old Feeding Every Hour Since Birth

[MasynSpencerElliotte]

Tbh I don't know! I only ever drink a cup a day usually as it affects me if I drink too much (can't sleep!).

[BEHBII]

I will def talk to his ped about it. It also doesn't seem like he has reflux as he is soothsble and usually falls asleep. Someone was suggesting to me to top him up with formula. What are your thoughts about this? I've heard the top off of formula ends up to be the main thing than breastfeeding eventually as it messes up the supply and demand. I've been trying to withhold from formula even as a top off, but have been suggested to do so so many times.

I'm not a coffee drinker, but will need extra energy for the nights if I were to continue extending his feed via distractions. Will ask the hubby to help soothe in between feeds and take shifts through the night. As I feel targeting just day time feed isn't going to cut it.

[BEHBII]

Thanks MasynSpenserElliotte for your input. In no being able to do a yield, I was told two oppositing things:
1. If Lo is getting enough pees and poos in a day that indicates he's gettin what he needs for milk
2. If I top him up with formula and takes it, it indicates I'm not having enough in my milk supply to feed him sufficiently

Would appreciate any input on what people's thoughts are on this, particularly on milk supply and him feeding so frequently.

[MasynSpencerElliotte]

A bf baby may take the formula top up just because it is easier to drink and not because they are genuinely hungry. Addng top ups will decrease demand and therefore decrease supply. If lo is peeing & pooping within the norm and content between feeds then they are most likely getting just what they need.

I had over active letdown and oversupply with all three kids (in fact my.milk takes a good year to totally dry up) yet unless I was engorged first thing in the am I could not pump more than a few drops.

[*Ali*]

A bf baby may take the formula top up just because it is easier to drink and not because they are genuinely hungry. Addng top ups will decrease demand and therefore decrease supply. If lo is peeing & pooping within the norm and content between feeds then they are most likely getting just what they need.

Exactly this ^^^
I think many people like the idea of formula because you can see what they are taking and it puts people's minds at rest knowing LO has definitely had some milk and cannot be hungry but it is not usually necessary. Your LO is so tiny right now that everything will be different in 2-3wks so if I were you I would just get through all the cluster feeding and it should be worth it very soon.

Regarding coffee, a small amount of caffeine does get into the breast milk and some babies will be affected by it in a similar way that adults are and thus find it difficult to settle and be more alert or restless. Some babies however do not seem to notice. If you are drinking lots of coffee and baby is unsettled then it could be worth a try cutting it out or at least cutting back to see if it helps. Decaf might be an option perhaps? Theirs more info here http://kellymom.com/bf/can-i-breastfeed/lifestyle/caffeine/

I actually don't drink tea or coffee anyway except on very rare occasions (maybe a cup of tea once every few months for example) so it was never really a decision I had to make. I do like chocolate though and the occasional coke but those are relatively low in caffeine compared to tea and coffee. I can't remember noticing a difference in my babies but that is different to if I were drinking 5 cups of coffee a day of course.

[BEHBII]

Thank you, good to know I'm on the right path. I've received so much pressure to top up the baby.

I've contacted our pediatrician he said it does sound like he has reflux and to keep meals smaller and more frequent. I guess that's what we've been doing with the hour feeds. As a result, I've continued to feed on demand for now and extend whenever possible. I'm hoping as the weeks go by the feed time will naturally increase.
 
He's also grown lots so I'm thinking the growth spurt also had a role. Though the hourly feeds had occurred from day 1 till now.

[*Ali*]

I hope it continues to improve.

Don'tbe afraid to go bck to your dr to ask for meds if you think the reflux isn't controlled by the frequent feeds.

[BEHBII]

Thank you.

Update: yesterday we had another all day fussing while BF. We tried everything, either everything we  could: burping frequently, keeping him vertically upright, but hr would few and cry constantly from the afternoon till night (cluster feeding). I haven't been extending his feed thinking he had reflux. I realize my breast were very sore with lots of lumps, he wasn't really sucking hard with all that fussin in between, as a last resort we gave him 120ml of formula (he 5 weeks tomorrow). He drank it peacefully and was at ease since. I breast fed him shortly after and he slept for a good 3hours!

Now 2 thoughts came to mind:
1. If he's having reflux he would fuss still with formula? THis maybe points to my low a supply or his impatience of waiting for the next let down.

He seems to feed well when I feel there's a good supply going on and the milk is let down quickly.

What do you ladies think?

2. With the 3 hour sleep and no fuss, as oppose to the hourly if lucky sleep and distress cries to the point of tunin red while feeding... I'm tempted to call it quits on BF and go with formula, though I know this isn't the answer.

[1stimer]

Oh man this sounds like my DD...she was terrible at BFing...I guess I should say WE were but she was really impatient with my let down, and she didn't latch well and I think my supply never really came in well. When I started her on bottles with expressed milk she was happy as a clam. I ended up putting her on formula eventually for other tummy issues and bc I didn't make enough when I pumped to satisfy her and she was happy ever since. I think a big part of it was my stress level with all of it but its hard when you see them straining like that. IF you do chose to use formula or bottles don't feel bad...I beat myself up over it for weeks but in the end it was what was best for me and DD.

[BEHBII]

I know what you mean about the stress, seeing our babies cry like that can be distressing ourselves. I'm feeling the same way. I can't seem to express milk still, only done it once successfully and it was only 50ml.

Wondering if this will work in hopes to continue BF:
Top up with formula when baby fusses at breast when supply is low, but pump to stimulate the breast to get the supply up? If so how long should I pump to increase the supply? I did so this evening, just 5 mins each side.

[weaver]

Have you tried pumping before the feed? Or even massage/hand express a bit before feeding time?  To get the flow going, and make it easier for LO?   And then breast compressions while feeding?  All of this will just get it flowing, it sounds like there is plenty of milk in there.

Breast compression

I highly recommend having a browse around Dr Jack Newman's site for info on bfing.  Here for starters: and he also has great video tutorials!
http://www.breastfeedinginc.ca/content.php?pagename=doc%20PMBI

[*Ali*]

Have you tried dangle feeding?
http://kellymom.com/bf/concerns/mother/dangle-feeding/

If you think you have low supply check out the tips for increasing it in our FAQ. I'm worried I may have low milk supply

[BEHBII]

Appreciate all the helpful feedback!

I will definitely try the recommendations. Question re pumping before feeding, will it no take away from the milk supply to baby?

[*Ali*]

It should eventually lead to increased supply and you can always give baby the milk you have pumped after the feed if LO wants it. You wouldn't pump much just enough to get the milk flowing.