[stlgirl]

I really need some advice and comfort. My little girl is just now 5 weeks old and for the past 3 days (getting worse each day) she has been VERY fussy and been cluster feeding, eating every single hour all day long and not napping in between. She also fusses at the breast, particularly in late afternoon and evening, even though I know I still have milk because I can express it manually when she pulls off and starts crying. She also is so exhausted and frustrated at the end of the day that she doesn't go to sleep easy, so it takes me over an hour to get her down and settled. I feel like I am loosing my mind! I am also confused, because even though all signs point to a growth spurt, it seems a bit early for that. I just hope this doesn't go on for much longer. She was SUCH a good nurser up to this point, and still has plenty of wet and poopy diapers, so I know she isn't actually going hungry, but she acts miserable all day and I am at my wits end.

[Lyz]

is she arching her back when she's eating? if she's fussing while nursing that can be sign she has an upset tummy or reflux. Is she spitting up? There is something called Silent Reflux. Google it. I'm glad I did because I talked to my pedi about it and he was impressed I did my research. We just feed her at a 45 degree angle and keep her upright at 90 degrees for 30 minutes after eating. Plus, she has a wedge under her crib mattress too.

it's not too early for a growth spurt...but usually when they grow they sleep alot too. I'm sorry sweety. It's realyl hard when they go through these spurts but it should pass soon!

[karenwalter]

Have you recently changed something in your diet? Connor was doing that strange latching and then pulling off the breast thing at night for a few nights and I finally figured out it was something I had eaten and he didn't like the taste of my milk. It sounds similar to what Reese3 is doing with the latching. Maybe it is also making her gassy and that why she's fussy in the day.

Sending you lots of hugs. It's so frustrating when we don't know what is causing things and we are at a loss of how to fix them. I hope things get better for you soon.

[Jodi0804]

Growth spurts are really hard, especially when bf; its so demanding! keep up with your water intake. Do you nurse her in the side laying position at all? I wouldn't have survived the hour long nursing sessions w/o doing that! I think Lyz made a great point about the silent reflux. My lo wouldnt sleep laying flat and was really fussy (although he is colic also). We hold him upright for 30 mins after nursing and have a wedge under his mattress to elevate him (and he went on zantac which made a difference). I also cut dairy out of my diet and that made a HUGE difference. He is still fussy sometimes at the breast but not nearly as much. I always found my lo slept awful during the growth spurt but made up for it after. Hopefully thats the case for you. Hang in there

[lttle_one]

{{HUGS}} Those first weeks are so overwhelming! I only have a quick second, it could be any of the things suggested, or just a good old-fashioned growth spurt. Some babies have them pretty much weekly for the first 6 weeks. Lol. Cherie tended to sleep a lot before and after a growth spurt, but she would be up constantly during one. I hope it passes soon for you! I agree w/ trying side-lying if you can, it can be a sanity saver! Hang in there, Mama, you're doing great!

[KCMomma]

Oh hun, I'm so sorry. I was going to say exactly what Lyz said. Maybe it's reflux or maybe something in your diet. to me that's the hardest part about bfing because when they are fussy you automatically assume it's something YOU are doing, which it may be but it's so hard to put that on yourself. I totally understand how things are and how frustrating they are. Hang in there. Do you have any help?

[*Mommy2Camden*]

I'm sorry chica! I was going through the same thing and pumping has saved my life. I honestly don't know what I would do without it. Camden has been a little piggy from the beginning and was the king of cluster feeding. Since I've been pumping he eats about 4.5-5oz and is happier MUCH longer (3-4 hours) You will get through it.

[fromustobaby]

Obviously I got nothing on suggestions...but...
Just sending you good thoughts...

[stlgirl]

Thanks ladies. I do think it was a growth spurt, because she's been much calmer and back to feeding every 2 hours since yesterday. I also think that I need to be better about her getting enough naps during the day - I think the problem was made worse by me not working hard to get her to nap even when she was fighting it, so that by the evening she was not only stressed because of being hungry and growing, but was also over-tired on top of it. So I am doing my best to do whatever it takes now so that she gets at least a few 1-2 hour naps in every day.

[MarinaAndCharlie'sMommy]

So glad she's a little calmer. I obviously don't have any advice but wanted to wish you luck and I hope this phase passes soon. Sounds like you are doing a wonderful job momma!

[lttle_one]

Glad things are going better! No napping can start such a hard cycle of not being able to sleep. It can be so frustrating!

[Etph007]

You're doing such a great job Momma!

[stlgirl]

Gah! So even though I have worked really hard to get her on a better nap schedule, I'm really struggling! She has continued to be fussy and really mouthy and not napping unless rocked or being pushed in her stroller, so I think there may be some silent reflux issues as well. Taking her to Ped tomorrow and to the chiropractor...

[Jodi0804]

Is there any pattern to her napping? I realized I was missing Billy's nap time and us the 90 minute nap schedule. Its basically saying from the time they get up to when they need a nap again its 90 minutes. So Billy got up today at 645 and took his 1st nap at 8:20, so close enough. He got up at 8:45 and then took a 3 hour nap starting at 10:15. It isnt perfect and I have to read his cues but it helped us alot. He usually skips a nap in the evening for whatever reason and is a bit more cranky but its better than before when he was barely napping at all! We started this around 5 weeks. HTH

[KCMomma]

I'm so sorry Rachel. I hope you find some answers with the ped! Keep us posted!!