Breastfeeding - Is This Normal?

Hi M.! Congratulations on your new little bundle! Well, I don't know if it's "normal", but my son was the same way. I started to think I would never get off the couch...now he's 4 1/2 months and won't let me sit! He likes to be held and moving around constantly. How I long for the days when he would nurse for hours and I could rest :) So yes, I think it must be normal. Especially in the late afternoon/evening. Even though my son is nursing more efficiently now, there are still days when he just wants to be on the boob in the evenings. I'm sure it's a comfort thing, but that's ok with me (most days:)). Hang in there. The nursing will get easier, and as soon as it does, something else will come up...like not sleeping! :o)
L.

Breastfeeding IS hard work. A baby or newborn will nurse EVERY HOUR many times. Breastfeeding takes much time and effort. My husband would go to work in the morning and see me breastfeeding...then when he came home from work he would see my sitting there with my Boppy pillow breastfeeding "still." He would tell me "whenever I see you, you're breastfeeding...is that all you do all day?" (he was just puzzled as a new Dad back then, and still learning too). I would reply "yes, that's all I do all day. That is what breastfeeding is."
Yet, he was proud of me for the way I took care of our baby. He understood it was VERY hard work, and he said he's glad he didn't have to do that. LOL.

Babies also go through MANY growth spurts... and at these times they feed more. This will happen many times as the grow each month, so head's up.

Your baby is just a newborn... they NEED to nurse "on demand." Never withhold breastfeeding. It is part of their "survival" instinct. Babies often feed anywhere from 1-3 hours apart. AND it can vary each day. AND their patterns of sleep and feeding will change all the time too. So head's up.

I would highly recommend getting a book on it. The book "What To Expect The First Year" by Arlene Eisenberg is a good one. That way, you will know what happens each month per their development.

It is good your baby is growing and gaining weight..that means he is probably getting enough intake, and that you probably are producing enough breastmilk.

Just be sure he is "latching on" properly at the breast.

As for napping, he is still very young, but get a good nap and sleep routine going, if you don't have one yet. A baby and child NEED to nap... because sleep is when the body regenerates and their brain develops as well. It is a developmental necessity. Newborns usually sleep and nap a lot.
AND they wake up at night too.

Good luck and take care. There is SO much to write on this subject... I can't write everything. But I would recommend getting a good book or two on babies and what to expect.
~Susan
www.cafepress.com/littlegoogoo

Hi M.!
Baby boy is really savoring his meal! :) Who could blame him? If you have the time right now to enjoy your son and bond it's awesome! I allowed both my children to nurse on demand and gave them all of the time they needed with me. You also get that release of hormones right now that make you nice and relaxed. At your son's young age- I would let him nurse on demand. However, do take him off the breast every half hour- so that he becomes accustomed to being taken off the breast. I never took my first child off the breast- I always waited until she let go. When I finally started to initiate the process, she was seriously insulted! The results were a year long battle to get her off the breast at night. I didn't get any sleep. I had neck problems and obviously sore nipples!! She got "bottle rot" on the back of her front teeth.
From my experience your little man is seeing how long you will let him go for it. He needs you, but in reality he should be able to have a good feed in 30 minutes and then take a little break. Give him a break and then if he still demands a feed-give him what he needs!
Make sure you get your baby used to you removing your nipple from his mouth after 20-30 minutes. (later on you might feel like a hostage!) :) Congrats on the little prince!

Congratulations on your baby boy!!! That's awesome!! Congratulations on breastfeeding too! It's hard thing to do but so worth every moment. I nursed my daughter until she was 12 mths old. It's normal for babies to nurse like that every once in a while. It's when it becomes an everyday occurrence you need to think about what's going on. Your son may be going through a growth spurt or using you as a soothing method or both. My daughter did all of the above. Have you tried logging it when it occurs to look for a pattern? Maybe that can give you some insight. Try looking at all aspects: time of day, food you ate 8 to 12 hours earlier, nursing location, distractions etc. Maybe you can take the results to you pediatrician & see what he/she says. Hope this helps congrats & good luck!

Congratulations!! Only 3 weeks old!? How exciting! (Sorry, I love babies) (-:

What you are going through is normal, especially at this very early stage. I've breastfed two and my first was more like you are describing than my second. I felt like I was glued to the couch and my bobby pillow day in and day out with my first but eventually feedings spaced out a bit more. Your baby is doing some comfort sucking along with the nursing. After some experience, you learn when you can pop them off without disturbing them. Hang in there and just enjoy this new time with you and baby, it will get easier! I promise, a lot easier.
Best wishes,
M.

I'd say some of that is comfort. My son will "bulk up" at night before bed and then first thing in the morning, but he also sleeps 7-9 hours straight.

I love breast feeding. It does take up a lot of time and it will get easier the older they get. They become better at it. She even latches on with out me helping her! Hang in there. As a newborn they need a lot of milk to grow. My daughter is almost 6 months and nurses every 2-3 hours for about 15 min then 40 min before bed. My general rule (once she was a couple months old) was to listen for gulps. Once the gulps really slowed down and I could pick up her arm and it was like a wet noodle then I know I can delatch her and let her nap in my arms or where ever. Great job on sticking with breast feeding!!!!