4weeks old and constantly eating

[izzysmum]

Hello,

My little girl is now 4 1/2 weeks old and was 7lb 9oz at birth. She now weighs 11lbs and is ebf. I did demand feeding and still am but it feels like she's always eating. Her rough feeding routine during the day is
6am ish
8.15/8.30am
10.30/11am
12.30/1.15pm
3pm ish
5pm ish
7pm
8.30pm
10pm
11.30pm
then she wakes at least 3 times a night. All of which she screams til she's fed.
That's a lot of feedings and I'm concerned she's gaining weight too quickly.
Her sleep is terrible and she often falls asleep on the breast after 6-7mins gulping (i have a fast let down). I then have to try and wake her and if all else fails change her nappy or partially undress her to wake her enough to finish a feed. Nine times out of ten she doesn't wake then is hungry again anything up to an hour later. This is really taking it's toll and I'm now getting run down and fed up.
I have averaged just 2 hours sleep in 24 hours and can't sleep when she has her big nap in the afternoon as I also have a 3yr old who demands my time. DH works and I'm lucky if he hears her during the night.

How can I get her to take a full feed in one go so that she can manage at least 2.5-3 hours between feeds? If I can sort her feeding out then maybe her naps and night time sleep might get better. My eldest suffered with reflux until she was nearly 3 and I did wonder if her constant feeding could be reflux but she has only brought milk up a few times and she's putting on weight. She produces frequent wet and soiled nappies too.

Any advice would be appreciated. I'm not sure how much longer I can last on virtually no sleep. 

[kel2y]

How long has it been going on for?? I would say she's on a growth spurt or just about to have one. Babies feed more to up your milk supply so they have enough for a growth spurt. It shouldn't really last more than a couple of days to a week. 

[NoelleChristine]

10-12 feeds at this age IS normal.  I know it feels like you're feeding ALL the time and looking at your schedule above, like the pp said, looks like classic growth spurt to me too. 

You mention a big nap in the afternoon.  How "big" is that nap.

How can I get her to take a full feed in one go so that she can manage at least 2.5-3 hours between feeds?

Really you just need to keep doing what you're doing.  It's just kind of an endless circle of trying to encouraging good feeds, letting them sleep when sleepy, and starting again.  I'm sure you've tried this but I used to do a diaper change when my lo would fall asleep nursing and then finish up the feed.  Sometimes it worked...sometimes not.

Also, I know I did anything and everything to get some good naps so we could get good feeds.  Sometimes some APing, like a swing, letting them sleep in a carrier, whatever works really.  My focus at this age was getting good feeds.

Regarding her sleep, have you tried sssh/pat?  You may want to check out the sleep boards for some ideas on helping her to sleep.

You really are doing well.  Hang in there!   It's early days yet.  She'll get there.

[lisi's mum]

I just wanted to agree with everything Noelle said. It is normal, you're doing great, and things DO change VERY quickly. When my dd was 4 weeks old I worked out that I had a baby attached to me for roughly 8 hours a day. It was getting me so down, but by even 6 weeks things got easier.

On a positive note, feeding frequently at this age is the best assurance for long term breast feeding success as you are establishing a really good supply.

As for gaining weight too quickly, mine gained a pound a week between 3 and 6 weeks, but then slowed right down only gaining another 2 pounds in the following 6 weeks.

[Mum of 3 + 2 stepkids]

Hi, just agreeing wih pp's. The first 6 weeks are the most important, get it right and your supply will be great. Your over half way so keep going your doing fab.

Kate x