Help from breast feeding experts needed please!

**creamcracker** · 07-04-2012, 11:59pm

Ok, long story short, my little lady (5lb 6oz at full term), came home from hospital after 9 days of phototherapy bottle feeding all expressed milk and going to the breast inbetween.
At 4 weeks I couldn't keep up expressing 3 hourly with a toddler when DH went back to work so with some encouragement from friends we switched to breast feeding with one bottle a day for daddy to give and to make sure she didn't forget how. All has been well and I've been really enjoying it. She's gained weight although not huge amounts and during the day she feeds every 2-3 hours and settles inbetween.
However, the evenings are becoming a nightmare. She feeds constantly, which I know is common for bf babies but she only settles when she has the bottle feed which she sinks like she is starving. I then express and get 10 ml if im lucky.
Once she finally settles for the night at about 1am she'll sleep for 4-5 hours. She has lots of wet and dirty nappies in the day.

So, is it just the way things are going to be? I thought maybe 6 week spurt but it's been going on for nearly 2 weeks like this. I can't do anything except feed in the evenings as she is inconsolable and DH is gently mentioning if I think it's working etc I can't bear to think that I'm starving her. She's tiny as it is.

Please help! I'm so proud of myself for deciding to switch to breast after not having the confidence with DD1 but am worried its the end already if she is so unhappy.
Sorry for the essay! TIA

**donna-j** · 08-04-2012, 12:06am

I wish I could remember, but I would say that whatever is the norm now will probably be totally different in a couple of weeks.

**Mrs B** · 08-04-2012, 12:20am

Totally normal honey; many babies cluster-feed all evening to tank themselves up for the night, and she's probably only sinking the bottle because the milk comes out of the teat faster. Doesn't help you much I'm afraid, it's awful when you have a toddler to cope with and no help around the witching hour, but you're doing a fabulous job - the weight gain and wet/dirty nappies is testament to that. You certainly aren't starving her, that's for sure. If you want to continue expressing then first thing in the morning is best, gives your boobs a chance to recover after the day. Hang on in there! xx

**suemarie** · 08-04-2012, 08:41am

I found that Ashley was very grumpy in the evenings & thought she may be hungry so kept offering the breast, but she kept refusing, so DH helped & took her for 30 minutes & it seemed to do the trick as she had trapped wind...each night Dh took her for an hour @ 7pm & patted her back for ages, until she passed wind from either end.
I then fed her again at around 9pm & then again 11pm & probably twice during the early hours.

**claireh** · 08-04-2012, 08:46am

They do cluster feed in the evening, totally totally normal. It sounds like you are doing really well. Your little lady is getting bigger so her tummy can take more milk. She is feeding lots which will build your supply to catch up with her needs.

Drinking lots of water and eating lots of oaty cereal bars helps with growth spurt feeding frenzies. Sit with your feet up and watch something good on tv. The feeding marathon will diminish before you know it.

I am a huge fan of mixed feeding and I know that I personally wouldn't have stuck at bf for so long without having the break from feeding when we give a bottle. I hope it works out for you too.

**Faith** · 08-04-2012, 08:59am

It sounds like you are doing brilliantly. I agree with everything mrs. B said

Just be aware that it easier to feed from a bottle, so for some babies mixed feeding doesn't work as they can't be bothered with the breast. plus it can affect your supply long term. If you would be devastated if bf doesn't work out consider dropping the bottle. It never gave me a break anyway, as I had to express while she had the bottle...

Also expressing is difficult, and takes practice. Not expressing much doesn't mean your supply is low.

**parkejm** · 08-04-2012, 09:06am

Originally Posted by Faith

Also expressing is difficult, and takes practice. Not expressing much doesn't mean your supply is low.

I could never express much at all but I had loads of milk.

I agree with the others, sounds normal to me, just something you need to ride out and I know it's difficult when you have another to look after. You are definitely not starving her, it sounds like you're doing really well

**mrsironted** · 08-04-2012, 02:10pm

How are you expressing? I found that I got nothing out by hand or manual pump but I can get a really good amount using an electric pump.

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**creamcracker** · 08-04-2012, 10:25pm

Thank you ladies! I'm feeling lots better after reading your replies. I showed them to DH too for reassurance for us both. Tonight has been better because we tried her bottle earlier in the evening so everything felt calmer and I was able to move from the sofa. I expressed whilst she fed with DH and now we're tucked up in bed feeding at the breast again.
Mrsironted, i'm using an electric pump. I did have a hospital grade one until this week but now I'm using a medulla swing.

Thanks again everyone! I'm sure this won't be my last crisis of confidence!