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#1
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A 6-hour feed? (long, sorry)
I know it's normal for babies to feed continuously for a couple hours in
the evening. DD did that, usually from about 7:00 to 10:00 every evening. I wouldn't have a problem with that. DS had been doing that, but over the past few days it's been getting longer and longer - starting earlier and ending later. Yesterday was just unbelievable. He's four weeks and one day old. Now, starting in the early afternoon, he eats more and more frequently, (at least every hour) leading up to the evening feeding frenzy where he only lets go so he can yell until I put him to the other side. Last night he was eating from 6:00 pm to midnight, non-stop, no exaggeration. He really was *eating*, too - I was still feeling let downs fairly regularly right up to 12:00 and he was gulping it down. I got so hungry for dinner, I had to leave him scream for 10 minutes to microwave some soup, gulp half of it down, then repeat that sequence after next time he dropped off one side (DH had a business dinner). I am having a hard time dealing with having to nurse him so much, mostly because I am so exhausted by 9:00. The only time I could nap (during DD's nap) he's already starting in on the frequent feedings and there isn't time between the end of one feed and start of the next to do much more than pee and refill my water bottle (I'm drinking at least 96 oz of water -- that's just during the evening). I thought after a growth spurt, the feedings are supposed to get further apart? Why are they getting more frequent at this point? Is something wrong here? He was 1 1/4 pounds heavier than DD at birth. I've always had complete confidence in bf but yesterday I really started to wonder. Is it because of his size, does he need too much milk, too soon, for my body to keep up? (Birthweight was 8 lbs 1 oz, which I know isn't earth-shattering, but I was stunned that a baby over 8 pounds could possibly come from me.) I swear he is visibly fatter today than yesterday, so I don't think he's failing to gain weight. I guess I'm just looking for either reassurance that this is within the realm of normal and, hopefully, that it won't last much longer, or for information on whether this might indicate some problem and what I should do about it. -- Cheryl S. Mom to Julie, 2 yr., 6 mo. And new arrival, Jaden Cleaning the house while your children are small is like shoveling the sidewalk while it's still snowing. |
#2
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A 6-hour feed? (long, sorry)
I
thought after a growth spurt, the feedings are supposed to get further apart? Why are they getting more frequent at this point? Because you haven't reached the "after" the growth spurt yet? He's still in the middle of one, it sounds like. I'm sure it has nothing to do with his size. But I'm not sure what else it could be, aside from a perfectly normal, if more pronounced than average, growth spurt. I'd probably suggest coping the same way you would if you were really ill and couldn't get any help. Gate off the living room or your bedroom, park DD in front of some videos and her favorite toys, get some snacks and water set up within reach and nurse DS in bed or on the couch. If it doesn't get better within a couple more days, call a doctor and an LC. Have you tried a pacifier? Holly Mom to Camden, 2.5 yrs |
#3
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A 6-hour feed? (long, sorry)
HollyLewis wrote in message
... I thought after a growth spurt, the feedings are supposed to get further apart? Why are they getting more frequent at this point? Because you haven't reached the "after" the growth spurt yet? He's still in the middle of one, it sounds like. Thanks for the quick reply! How long can a growth spurt go on, though? Aren't they usually 3-4 days long? If he is still having one, it's been two weeks now since it started! Could he be having the 6-week spurt at only 4 weeks old? I just started going out and doing things in the mornings this week, for the first time since he was born. We've been out every day from about 10:00 am to noon, to places like the grocery store, post office, etc. Could my increased activity have affected my supply and make him need to spend more time nursing to get as much milk? I'm sure it has nothing to do with his size. But I'm not sure what else it could be, aside from a perfectly normal, if more pronounced than average, growth spurt. I'd probably suggest coping the same way you would if you were really ill and couldn't get any help. Gate off the living room or your bedroom, park DD in front of some videos and her favorite toys, get some snacks and water set up within reach and nurse DS in bed or on the couch. If it doesn't get better within a couple more days, call a doctor and an LC. Will do, thanks! Have you tried a pacifier? No, I wasn't sure if he was still too young and it would mess up his latch, or hinder my milk production? I just bought two on Monday, still in the package, that I had intended on using only during nighttime diaper changes, to keep him from waking the whole household when he moves to his own room (he's rapidly getting too big for the bassinet). -- Cheryl S. Mom to Julie, 2 yr., 6 mo. And Jaden, 4 weeks Cleaning the house while your children are small is like shoveling the sidewalk while it's still snowing. |
#4
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A 6-hour feed? (long, sorry)
I remember Cheryl Izabella being somewhat like that, she would nurse and
nurse and nurse till well till she had enough! I had long stretches like that with maybe a 10 minute break in between it was CRAZY!! And getting sleep was next to impossible! It did only last though during a growth spurt, which she seemed to have all the time in my opinion. And it would last a week or 2 with her as far as her nursing and nursing all the time. Finally when she was around 2 months old it stopped and slowed down, now I believe its getting worse for me..shes not nursing 6 hours or more straight, she wakes up every 30-60 minutes during the night to be fed or rocked!! Boy I dont know what I liked more, the 6 hour straight feedings or this?? HAHA I dont think you going out and doing lots of active stuff would make him what to eat more. But I am no expert, after all Izabella is my 1st and I really don tknow that much. I am sure soon it will slow down and you will look b ack and thank God it finally has. -- Laura Mommy to Izabella **Feb 10th, 2003** And 2 felines *Ashes(2) & George (4)* http://www.babiesonline.com/babies/i/izabellawelburn/ "Cheryl S." wrote in message ... HollyLewis wrote in message ... I thought after a growth spurt, the feedings are supposed to get further apart? Why are they getting more frequent at this point? Because you haven't reached the "after" the growth spurt yet? He's still in the middle of one, it sounds like. Thanks for the quick reply! How long can a growth spurt go on, though? Aren't they usually 3-4 days long? If he is still having one, it's been two weeks now since it started! Could he be having the 6-week spurt at only 4 weeks old? I just started going out and doing things in the mornings this week, for the first time since he was born. We've been out every day from about 10:00 am to noon, to places like the grocery store, post office, etc. Could my increased activity have affected my supply and make him need to spend more time nursing to get as much milk? I'm sure it has nothing to do with his size. But I'm not sure what else it could be, aside from a perfectly normal, if more pronounced than average, growth spurt. I'd probably suggest coping the same way you would if you were really ill and couldn't get any help. Gate off the living room or your bedroom, park DD in front of some videos and her favorite toys, get some snacks and water set up within reach and nurse DS in bed or on the couch. If it doesn't get better within a couple more days, call a doctor and an LC. Will do, thanks! Have you tried a pacifier? No, I wasn't sure if he was still too young and it would mess up his latch, or hinder my milk production? I just bought two on Monday, still in the package, that I had intended on using only during nighttime diaper changes, to keep him from waking the whole household when he moves to his own room (he's rapidly getting too big for the bassinet). -- Cheryl S. Mom to Julie, 2 yr., 6 mo. And Jaden, 4 weeks Cleaning the house while your children are small is like shoveling the sidewalk while it's still snowing. |
#5
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A 6-hour feed? (long, sorry)
Thanks for the quick reply! Well, I didn't know how much help I would be, but I figured you could use a fast response. :-) How long can a growth spurt go on, though? Aren't they usually 3-4 days long? If he is still having one, it's been two weeks now since it started! Could he be having the 6-week spurt at only 4 weeks old? I think usually they're only a few days long, but I've heard of a few that lasted two weeks. If you're lucky, he won't have another at 6 weeks. :-) I just started going out and doing things in the mornings this week, for the first time since he was born. We've been out every day from about 10:00 am to noon, to places like the grocery store, post office, etc. Could my increased activity have affected my supply and make him need to spend more time nursing to get as much milk? It won't have affected your supply significantly, unless maybe you were letting yourself get dehydrated. But stress can inhibit letdown, so if you've been feeling like you're rushing around, slow down. Have you tried a pacifier? No, I wasn't sure if he was still too young and it would mess up his latch, or hinder my milk production? I Given how much and how effectively he's nursing, it certainly isn't going to hurt your supply, and if his latch is good, there's no harm in trying. If he takes it but then his latch slips (or his diaper output goes down too much), just stop offering it. But if he takes it, and it doesn't affect his latch, it'll give you at least a little relief. Long enough to maybe microwave some soup anyway! Also, can you nurse him in a sling yet? If not, I'd recommend you really focus on getting that down, because it will allow you to feed yourself and play with DD a bit even while he's latched on for hours at a time. Holly Mom to Camden, 2.5 yrs |
#6
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A 6-hour feed? (long, sorry)
We can still remember the 10 hour nursing session from hell.
You have 4 hours to go. :-) Larry Cheryl S. writes: : I know it's normal for babies to feed continuously for a couple hours in : the evening. DD did that, usually from about 7:00 to 10:00 every : evening. I wouldn't have a problem with that. DS had been doing that, : but over the past few days it's been getting longer and longer - : starting earlier and ending later. Yesterday was just unbelievable. : He's four weeks and one day old. Now, starting in the early afternoon, : he eats more and more frequently, (at least every hour) leading up to : the evening feeding frenzy where he only lets go so he can yell until I : put him to the other side. Last night he was eating from 6:00 pm to : midnight, non-stop, no exaggeration. He really was *eating*, too - I : was still feeling let downs fairly regularly right up to 12:00 and he : was gulping it down. I got so hungry for dinner, I had to leave him : scream for 10 minutes to microwave some soup, gulp half of it down, then : repeat that sequence after next time he dropped off one side (DH had a : business dinner). I am having a hard time dealing with having to nurse : him so much, mostly because I am so exhausted by 9:00. The only time I : could nap (during DD's nap) he's already starting in on the frequent : feedings and there isn't time between the end of one feed and start of : the next to do much more than pee and refill my water bottle (I'm : drinking at least 96 oz of water -- that's just during the evening). I : thought after a growth spurt, the feedings are supposed to get further : apart? Why are they getting more frequent at this point? Is something : wrong here? He was 1 1/4 pounds heavier than DD at birth. I've always : had complete confidence in bf but yesterday I really started to wonder. : Is it because of his size, does he need too much milk, too soon, for my : body to keep up? (Birthweight was 8 lbs 1 oz, which I know isn't : earth-shattering, but I was stunned that a baby over 8 pounds could : possibly come from me.) I swear he is visibly fatter today than : yesterday, so I don't think he's failing to gain weight. I guess I'm : just looking for either reassurance that this is within the realm of : normal and, hopefully, that it won't last much longer, or for : information on whether this might indicate some problem and what I : should do about it. : -- : Cheryl S. : Mom to Julie, 2 yr., 6 mo. : And new arrival, Jaden : Cleaning the house while your children are small is like : shoveling the sidewalk while it's still snowing. |
#7
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A 6-hour feed? (long, sorry)
Cheryl S. wrote:
I know it's normal for babies to feed continuously for a couple hours in the evening. DD did that, usually from about 7:00 to 10:00 every evening. I wouldn't have a problem with that. DS had been doing that, but over the past few days it's been getting longer and longer - starting earlier and ending later. Yesterday was just unbelievable. He's four weeks and one day old. My pediatrician says that the growth charts are actually quite jagged. The growth spurts are not just at 6 weeks, 2 months, etc. Some babies go through a smaller growth spurt every few days! I have no suggestions, just sympathy! I remember trying to explain to people that if I nurse continuously for 45 minutes, I can get maybe 10 to 15 minute of "free" time to get some water, then Pillbug would want more nursing. I remember wondering how I could get people to believe that I only had a few usable minutes every hour! (And not have them think I'm doing something really wrong!) -- Anita -- -- SUCCESS FOUR FLIGHTS THURSDAY MORNING ALL AGAINST TWENTY ONE MILE WIND STARTED FROM LEVEL WITH ENGINE POWER ALONE AVERAGE SPEED THROUGH AIR THIRTY ONE MILES LONGEST 57 SECONDS INFORM PRESS HOME CHRISTMAS. |
#8
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A 6-hour feed? (long, sorry)
Irrational Number wrote in message ...
Cheryl S. wrote: I know it's normal for babies to feed continuously for a couple hours in the evening. DD did that, usually from about 7:00 to 10:00 every evening. I wouldn't have a problem with that. DS had been doing that, but over the past few days it's been getting longer and longer - starting earlier and ending later. Yesterday was just unbelievable. He's four weeks and one day old. I am so annoyed to learn now about 2-3 hour feeding sessions being NORMAL. All of the books I read said that babies would want to nurse for 10-40 minutes total once every 2-3 hours. My DD wanted to nurse all the time, but my family was giving me weird looks and comments when I nursed her on demand. "She's eating AGAIN?!?" I heard more than once. I am convinced that I would not be having the supply issues I am currently dealing with if I had just followed my instincts and not listened to other people's idea of how often or how long a baby should eat. Go with your instincts. If he wants to eat, let him eat. If you put him on any kind of restrictive schedule, your supply might decrease and your baby might become fussy and frustrated. Just my two cents. -V. |
#9
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A 6-hour feed? (long, sorry)
Vijay wrote:
I am so annoyed to learn now about 2-3 hour feeding sessions being NORMAL. All of the books I read said that babies would want to nurse for 10-40 minutes total once every 2-3 hours. My DD wanted to nurse all the time, but my family was giving me weird looks and comments when I nursed her on demand. "She's eating AGAIN?!?" I heard more than once. That's why I like this newsgroup more than the books and pamphlets! Pillbug feeds every 2 hours (sometimes 1.5) and does NOT sleep 10 hours through the night. NONE of the books told me this! I am convinced that I would not be having the supply issues I am currently dealing with if I had just followed my instincts and not listened to other people's idea of how often or how long a baby should eat. Go with your instincts. If he wants to eat, let him eat. If you put him on any kind of restrictive schedule, your supply might decrease and your baby might become fussy and frustrated. I'm thankful to my pediatrician who said to feed on demand, don't watch the clock, don't schedule feedings, and throw out the formula. I took my mom to the ped. with me once, so she could hear for herself how well Pillbug was doing with feed-on-demand, so she's totally with me on this. -- Anita -- -- SUCCESS FOUR FLIGHTS THURSDAY MORNING ALL AGAINST TWENTY ONE MILE WIND STARTED FROM LEVEL WITH ENGINE POWER ALONE AVERAGE SPEED THROUGH AIR THIRTY ONE MILES LONGEST 57 SECONDS INFORM PRESS HOME CHRISTMAS. |
#10
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A 6-hour feed? (long, sorry)
Larry McMahan wrote in message ...
We can still remember the 10 hour nursing session from hell. You have 4 hours to go. Saturday night DS ran a fever of 103F for a few hours, which turned out to be the start of a nasty virus. Last Sunday night we had a 10 pm to 4 am session followed by a 5 am to 8:30 am nursing session (the hour break was when my back couldn't take it any longer and I got us up and distracted DS with toys for an hour). Then Monday night we had an 11:30 pm to 7:30 am session. I just got up from an almost two-hour session and left him sleeping on the bed. Poor thing has had a scratchy ragged sore throat (I know, as I have it now). I'm sure nursing is the only thing that makes it feel better... -- C, mama to 11 month old nursling |
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