Baby wants boob all the time - help

superdood

Don't be afraid to breastfeed in public, theres more mothers out there breastfeeding than you realise, they are just discreet. I would normally just use a blanket or a muslin and no one would notice or ever said anything to make me feel uncomfortable, I also had a few tshirts with hidden openings which are absolutely fantastic as means that you don't have to lift your tshirt up to feed so is even more discreet. If you are nervous about feeding in public I would advise getting a few

JBD

I didn't really breastfeed but would like to add my support re breastfeeding in public. I don't really understand how any one could possibly object to this completely natural act. I have only ever seen 1 Mum doing it outside and noone seemed to notice or stare or anything. It is really important for Mums to get out and about, personally I feel it helps to combat post natal depression, and babies really benefit from getting out in the fresh air too.

fernliebee

Yeah just to echo what others have said, definitely sounds like a growth spurt, DD normally lasted about 4 days so it doesn't last forever honest! Def make sure you have lot's of water, also oats are really good for energy, so having porridge or muesli for breakfast or a piece of flapjack for a snack when your feeling drained will really increase your supply.

Now you (have pretty much) identified it as a growth spurt, make sure you don't worry about trying to do too much other stuff, just settle in, get a few good films if need be, or a DVD with some good programmes (if your getting a bit bored), feed as much as possible and don't feel guilty for not getting stuff done, you are doing the most important thing you can, and by resting you are encouraging your milk supply too. Supply soon catches up with demand and it settles back into a sort of routine.

On the whole feeding in public debate, I feel it is such a shame that some people feel under pressure not to do it. I have to say I never really had a problem with it, but if there was somewhere to go I would, but otherwise I would just do it wherever i happened to be. I found wearing a vest under, then another top on top, means you can do the 'one top up, one top down' trick so you can't see any skin at all. The amount of times people have come over to coo over my DD while she is feeding not realising at all! I just usually gave them a warning, "oh she is a hungry girl, feeding again" etc to save their possible embarrassment.

squashy

Just to echo what others have said, 6 week old babies are designed to feed all the time, I like to think it is so you can have a bit of a sit down when you most need it

You are doing great so just go with it if you can, things will settle in their own time. Re the feeding in public, I have done it lots but dont think anyone has ever really noticed. I used to love how I didnt have to run around trying to find a cafe to heat a bottle, instead just find the nearest bench and get snuggling.

A thumbs up from me about slings too, the ultimate in hands free yet close parenting! Have a look at https://www.slingguide.co.uk for a bit of info about the types out there.

Lunar_Eclipse

cleopatra4485 wrote: »

It is just a recent thing, she used to just be like it in the evenings when she would need to 'cluster feed' before bed, but now it is all day.

She has a dummy that she happily takes after her last evening fed and suckles that before she falls asleep in her crib. Thankfully she has a good bedtime routine now and sleeps through from 10pm-6am. She seems clued up on the dummy during the day, she will suck it a couple of times, looks at me in dissgust, starts crying and just wont have it.

I think she is getting the hind milk as I followed the HV advice to keep her on one boob for a feed instead of swapping her half way through. I also think this is the case as my poor boobie is left as a saggy spaniel ear, while the other is big and pert :rotfl:

Maybe she is having a growth spurt then and I should just ride with it

If she's sleeping through from 10-6, is 6 weeks old (growth spurt), already has a dummy and this is a recent thing - I really think she's hungry.

I would try to encourage her to have both boobs. My youngest would empty both in about 10 minutes by that age; a very efficient feeder. That would then last her about 3 hours.

Hang in there. Keep offering her more food if you think that's what she wants. She is at the classic 6 week growth spurt age and I'm sure it'll have passed by next week.

Lunar_Eclipse

superdood wrote: »

Also, are you aware that baby needs atleast 20 minutes on each breast at every feed to be sufficiently full, otherwise they'll just need feeding again as soon as you get comfy on the sofa- I know 40 mins of feeding, but saves time in the long run.

I think a HV must have told you that. :rolleyes:

It's a myth. They take as long as they take, but can do it in under 5 minutes, as I discovered with my second born. Eldest used to take about 30 minutes to feed, but that was more to do with her being a 'sucky baby' and loving the comfort. Don't fall for that; use a dummy if needed.

fsdss

cleopatra4485 wrote: »

I haven't been eating as much as I should, as she wont let me lol. I will take your advice and buy a sling to carry her around in, in that case i will have my hands open to make food for myself, tidy up etc etc

i would hedge a bet and say that this is THE problem - small snacks, banana, flap jacks, raisins, cake, rice puddings, yoghurts etc between meals. up your carbs too.

you'll also be able to get a sling on freecycle i should imagine - i'd send you mine if i didnt think that, being in the garage - its probably manky and has a nest of mice living in it!!lol

Lunar_Eclipse

JBD wrote: »

I don't really understand how any one could possibly object to this completely natural act.

I think because it is a natural act that can involve exposed body parts that are normally not exposed. Urinating and sexual intercourse are also natural acts, but many people don't like to see them in public either.

Thinking about it, many people don't like to see topless or naked sunbathing. It really is no surprise to me (an ex breastfeeding mother) that a lot of people are uncomfortable with breastfeeding in public. And then when, if ever, does it become unacceptable? It it's acceptable to feed a newborn in public, how about a 6 month old who could be crawling round the cafe one minute and feeding the next, a 12 month old walking toddler, 4 year old etc. Like anything in public, I think it requires thought for other people as well as the baby in question's needs.:)

mandragora_2

I fed both mine - the youngest one was a really regular feeder with his own routine - he quickly established that what he wanted was once an hour, for about 60 minutes - or that's what it felt like at the time! I did feel as if I wasn't doing enything else, and I can remember that was a real bind however, on the bright side:
I had an excuse to sit back, relax and enjoy plenty of time doing nothing, because feeding the baby is the important thing here
I had a reason to be bought lots of cups of tea
My abdomen shrank right back down to normal within weeks


Result!

And the other thing is that in no time at all, you'll turn round and they'll be sitting at the breakfast table, glowering at you through long locks of hair and over a big bowl of breakfast cereal. Enjoy now, for as long as you can, as much as you can.

becs

Hello, I'm not a Mum yet myself (still trying on that one!) but I just wanted to say about the breastfeeding in public. I totally agree about how some people react to breastfeeding women and I think it is awful and really sad (particually other women!) that society should make a young mum who deeply wants the best for her baby feel so awkward about it. I make nappy cakes as a sideline business and the blankets I use are swaddledesigns, I chose them because of a lovely photo on their website that I've posted below that shows the blanket being used to breastfeed discreetly. So I second what others say about using a blanket or muslin. How about a nice pashmina for Christmas! Good luck!