Breastfeeding and the Little One...

Maybe I don't understand your situation or marathon feedings but when I had my kids and they were 6 weeks old I fed them about every 2 hours depending on the child and I nursed them for anywhere from 5-10 minutes a side. Most milk is gotten in that amount of time but of course if the baby is a slow eater it takes a bit longer. I don't understand if you are saying you feed the baby 2hrs. I would not feed him as much as you are. They can get too full with little stomachs. Also if he goes a little over 2 hours it won't hurt him. What is acting like he's hungry to you? Sometimes they act hungry but aren't too. You should talk to a lactation consultant and get some advice in my opinion.

Hi there! I think there is a good chance that he is trying to adjust his supply to his new demands. I seemed to remember this happened to me with my daughter (who is now 2) and now it seems to be happening with my 1 month old. I breastfed him for what seemed like all day yesterday and I got a little bit of a break today, so its getting better. Here's an article I found about cluster feedings: http://www.lactivist.com/evencluster.html . They say it usually happens in the evening, but its also been in the afternoon sometimes for me. After a couple of days, he will probably be satisfied with the supply again. Good luck! Try not to use what you've pumped because then your supply won't adjust to the level he needs. Just go with what he wants for now and he'll regulate the supply. You'll probably be able to stretch out the feedings a little bit, too.

Cluster feedings are normal at that age, they are a way to up your supply during a growth spurt. Breastfeeding should be on demand, which means that you feed when your baby is hungry. Forget the clock - when he seems hungry you feed.
If he goes for a long time between feedings and you feel uncomfortable (or want to increase your supply) you can pump.
Good luck.

I def agree with suazanne call your hospital labor and delivery floor and ask for the lactation consultants #!! They have sooo much positive help and could def help with your situation... I def would not give the baby already pumped milk or formula because your breasts dont make milk wen your not nursing the more u nurse the more u make... He could be going through a growth spurt to and mite be trying to nurse longer to get your milk supply up!! I would def call a lactation consultant tomorrow!

Newborns eat, sleep and make diapers. I'd feed him when he wants to eat. There is a difference between the feeding nursing and the comfort nursing and if he's doing the shallow comfort nursing, you can also try a pacifier. But it is not abnormal at all for a child (especially at a growth point like 6, 9 or 12 weeks, or 6 months) to nurse even more often than usual. Their nursing increases your supply for their next growth jump. SO, even though you might be going a little batty, remember that this is a natural phase and will pass.

A professional lactation consultant can be helpful.

I've always tried to sleep when mine slept and when they woke up I fed them until they are done. They've both got a natural "pop off" point. I've timed them and I used both breasts. Both had/have a 20/15 min routine set. 20 mins one side, pop off, diaper changed, burped and 15 mins to pop off on the other side and a 2/3 hour nap in between.

Time your little guy, just give him one breast see how long he'll go on his own, then put him on the other and time that. :) Do this for a day or two if you can, then look over your notes to see if he has a pattern. It might help.

Good luck.

It sounds like you two don't have your rhythm down yet. You're trying to feed him when he's not hungry, and then he's overwhelming you with his appetite when you're not expecting it. Additionally, I think that about 6 weeks is time for one of those growth spurts.

I think that you should feed him when he's hungry and not wake him to eat; let him give you his schedule instead of the other way around. The marathon feedings are draining you, literally, but they're part of the package. Have you talked with your pediatrician about it? Do you have reason to believe that he is not eating enough?

Oh, and CONGRATULATIONS on your new baby!! I wish you the very best and hope that you get to enjoy him immensely!

Just keep feeding on demand. Take time off other duties, drink plenty of fluids and relax. I'd say you're going through the typical 6 week growth spurt.

I nursed both my kids. I nursed on demand 24/7. day and night.
Infants, go through what is called "cluster feeding" which means they will be hungry every single hour and NEED to feed. And this is normal.
I don't know what you mean by your baby is still feeding every 2.5 hours. That is normal. NO baby feeds at the exact same timing every day and they feed, often.
Thus, you need to nurse according to baby's cues and hunger cues.
My kids as babies, nursed anywhere from EVERY hour, to 2 hours to 3 hours at most. AND they did this for several months. And I would nurse using both breasts each session, and they drank me dry. And they had GINORMOUS appetites.

In an infant, they have Growth-Spurts every 3 weeks. Then at 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, 12 months, 15 months and every 3 months. AND at these times, their appetites increases and they need to feed more frequently.

I don't know what you mean by "marathon feed." An infant and baby nurses all day everyday. Non stop.

I always nursed my kids before naps, and after naps. That is typical.

I don't know what you mean by in between feedings. A feeding is a feeding. My kids as babies did not take 1.5 hours to feed, like you said yours does.
Perhaps, see a Lactation Specialist and they can tell you if he is feeding correctly and/or if he is getting enough intake etc. And they can check his latch.

What should you do about the "in between feedings" and the "marathon feedings?" Well, you nurse him.
Breastfeeding should always be done on demand. Not by a schedule.