Breastfeeding advice

Hi, just looking for some advice or support really. I'm a ftm to my adorable little girl who is 5 days old today. I'm breastfeeding and although it's going fairly well, I feel I have no idea what I'm doing. I read that baby should be doing 2-3 hour stretches but she's literally wanting boob every half hour or so! I've felt like a proper milk machine today. She's also been very fussy and crying lots. Falling asleep on the boob but then quickly rooting for it again.

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It sounds like you’re in cluster feeding territory. It’s rough and is a good sign. Ride it out and have snacks and fluid on hand to see you through it xxx

Totally unrealistic for a newborn baby to be going 2-3 hour stretches and very normal for them to be feeding more frequently than this. It was a long time before my first went this long. Many babies don't really follow a schedule with their feeds. It sounds like your baby is cluster feeding which is normal and a good thing for their growth and your supply, these phases do pass.

She's helping your milk to come in fully with all the cluster feeding, ride it out and eventually she will go longer stretches.

Yeah totally unrealistic that they go 2-3 hour stretches when EBF. My 2nd baby actually does go 2 hours but my little boy was attached to the boob 24/7 🤣 I’m fully expecting some cluster feeding soon at the 3 week growth spurt and I expect she will be attached constantly xx

Our little ones must have arrived the same day as I’m in exactly the same territory as you! My midwife came round today and reiterated exactly what everyone has said in the comments around cluster feeding and this helping your milk come through. I know it’s rough and I had a good cry about it tonight as my breast are feeling so sore and tender. Nights aren’t great since we returned from hospital so I also get the scaries this time of the eve. I wish I had advice but I just wanted you to know that you’re not alone and I’ve been reassured this is very normal! 🩷

Thank you so much for your help everyone, so reassuring to know it is normal and to just keep going. My poor boobs 😌

@Sammy aww yes little valentine's babes!! Oh I'm so glad it's not just me as was really starting to worry. Bless you, it's so hard isn't it, here if you need a chat with someone going through the same. Thank you for your kind words xx

I am 15 days PP now. And In the first 2 weeks my baby slept 2-3 hours between feeds. But there were sections where he also cluster fed especially nights. I felt like a milk machine not sure if he was getting any . But turns out sometime he ate a Stomach full and sometimes he would just eat a little and sleep and then eat frequently. 🤷🏻‍♀️

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