https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 21 May 2026 12:41:32 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fussy-cluster-feeding-at-night-for-hours-help#post-2443579 Sun, 31 Jan 2016 11:41:52 +0000 Astro Bee 2443579@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PachaMama: Glad to hear that! I wish I'd gotten a white-noise machine sooner. We didn't get one until 8+ months. I love that thing! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fussy-cluster-feeding-at-night-for-hours-help#post-2443510 Sun, 31 Jan 2016 09:57:51 +0000 pachamama 2443510@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: This is exactly what I do, it has saved me mentally!</p> <p>UPDATE; we used a white noise machine which REALLY calmed him down and he slept a lot better! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fussy-cluster-feeding-at-night-for-hours-help#post-2443033 Sat, 30 Jan 2016 14:34:33 +0000 Foodnerd81 2443033@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pachamama: one more suggestion- if/ when you take a break and let your husband soothe her for a few minutes, go somewhere you can't hear her. It sounds harsh but he is handling the baby and it doesn't help for you to be stressed listening to her cry. So shower, turn on a sound machine, whatever. (I wish I listened to this myself). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fussy-cluster-feeding-at-night-for-hours-help#post-2443013 Sat, 30 Jan 2016 13:58:00 +0000 Kemma 2443013@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@pachamama: Completely normal! Find somewhere comfy to sit, set yourself up with snacks, water and something to read / watch and just roll with it :-)</p> <p>You're doing great! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fussy-cluster-feeding-at-night-for-hours-help#post-2442979 Sat, 30 Jan 2016 13:04:37 +0000 Madison43 2442979@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Cherrybee: I was going to say the exact same thing. We combo feed pumped BM and formula and LO2 still eats no stop between 6:30 - 11. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fussy-cluster-feeding-at-night-for-hours-help#post-2442925 Sat, 30 Jan 2016 12:12:15 +0000 Cherrybee 2442925@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just in case anyone is reading this, worrying that their supply is low etc, my baby was exclusively formula fed and she still did this! Evenings were brutal! We would feel guilty getting her yet another bottle, terrified we were over feeding her! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fussy-cluster-feeding-at-night-for-hours-help#post-2442914 Sat, 30 Jan 2016 11:53:52 +0000 Astro Bee 2442914@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I also remember feeling pretty frustrated by the near constant feeding, and I wish I'd known then just how short-lived it would be. DH said on multiple occasions that we should just give him some formula, but I didn't want to hear it. He also thought there was something wrong with my milk that I couldn't feed him. The biggest thing your husband can do for you is support you, and tell you how great you are doing. To be fair, I did hear this from DH, but he wanted to try to make things easier for us. I'm glad you aren't in any pain. I'd do as @MrsSRS: suggested. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fussy-cluster-feeding-at-night-for-hours-help#post-2442886 Sat, 30 Jan 2016 11:21:48 +0000 pachamama 2442886@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsSRS: That's a good idea! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fussy-cluster-feeding-at-night-for-hours-help#post-2442877 Sat, 30 Jan 2016 11:13:11 +0000 MrsSRS 2442877@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If he will stay latched and it isn't hurting you, I would set up camp on the sofa with Netflix and a protein snack and a lot of water and just nurse through it. If you do, you're more likely to get a long stretch of sleep starting at 11. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fussy-cluster-feeding-at-night-for-hours-help#post-2442875 Sat, 30 Jan 2016 11:10:22 +0000 pachamama 2442875@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsSRS: I'm just glad to hear it's pretty normal... Ugh but I'm like HOW CAN YOU POSSIBLY BE HUNGRY AGAIN?!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fussy-cluster-feeding-at-night-for-hours-help#post-2442861 Sat, 30 Jan 2016 10:46:06 +0000 MrsSRS 2442861@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm afraid there isn't much to do but wait it out. You aren't doing anything wrong; it's normal. LO is making sure your supply ramps up. It sucks, but it doesn't last long. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fussy-cluster-feeding-at-night-for-hours-help#post-2442849 Sat, 30 Jan 2016 10:27:59 +0000 pachamama 2442849@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Foodnerd81: Yes! he does sleep the longest after a good cluster. My nips are really holding up so far. I never wear a bra and they don't hurt yet!<br /> @Astro Bee: Oh yes, there have been tears. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fussy-cluster-feeding-at-night-for-hours-help#post-2442835 Sat, 30 Jan 2016 10:05:56 +0000 Foodnerd81 2442835@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh- and make sure you use nipple cream after each feeding (or when you switch sides) or rub breast milk on them and let them air out in between (yes, you will be super sexy). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fussy-cluster-feeding-at-night-for-hours-help#post-2442832 Sat, 30 Jan 2016 10:01:51 +0000 Astro Bee 2442832@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This too shall pass. I remember sitting on the couch around 2-3 weeks almost crying. It's a growth spurt, and probably the most difficult one, because your nipples haven't toughened up yet, and your supply hasn't yet established itself. It will get better! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fussy-cluster-feeding-at-night-for-hours-help#post-2442824 Sat, 30 Jan 2016 09:49:15 +0000 Foodnerd81 2442824@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We had the same thing. It's brutal and feels like it will never end, but it will! Plus it's dinner time and you probably want to, I don't know, eat so that you have the calories to keep making milk! All you can do is power through and know it will get better. I also did find that once she finally stopped cluster feeding for the night she would have her longest stretch of sleep. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fussy-cluster-feeding-at-night-for-hours-help#post-2442818 Sat, 30 Jan 2016 09:37:01 +0000 Jess1483 2442818@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS1 did this every night 10-3 for a few weeks. I thought I was going to die. Hang in there, Mama! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fussy-cluster-feeding-at-night-for-hours-help#post-2442815 Sat, 30 Jan 2016 09:32:21 +0000 pachamama 2442815@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@travellingbee: thank you! We might try the syringe but even in the hospital he was drinking a ton. You're right about formula, not doing that !</p> <p>@oliviaoblivia: Yeah? Hopefully! Thank you </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fussy-cluster-feeding-at-night-for-hours-help#post-2442812 Sat, 30 Jan 2016 09:27:15 +0000 oliviaoblivia 2442812@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Sounds like the two week growth spurt.<br /> It'll be over before you know it.<br /> Hang in there mama. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fussy-cluster-feeding-at-night-for-hours-help#post-2442797 Sat, 30 Jan 2016 09:13:42 +0000 travellingbee 2442797@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>2 weeks is definitely a growth spurt/cluster feeding time. We just went through that and LO was the same. My nipples hurt. Maybe pump earlier and have DH help by giving a syringe or two of milk (have you done that before? It's better for the LOs than a bottle because it doesn't mess with their latch). How is your supply? The evening is when your supply is lowest so they cluster feed to up your suppl especially during a growth spurt. Kelly mom etc say do NOT supplement with formula because then your body isn't getting the message your baby is trying to send- to increase supply. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/fussy-cluster-feeding-at-night-for-hours-help#post-2442793 Sat, 30 Jan 2016 09:04:33 +0000 pachamama 2442793@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am looking for some suggestions or insight into a tricky nighttime situation we are having with our 2 week old newborn. Every night from 7-11pm or so he is INSATIABLE for food (I am EBF and he's done great with it so far). He is also fussy and gets really hysterically crying. My husband will try to soothe him while I sleep for like 45 mins at a time because I have to be up every 2.5- 3 hours to feed him. Should I just basically feed him this whole time? Is there any way to calm him?? Help!</p> <p>He was small at birth, 3 weeks early, maybe he's trying to catch up?</p> <p>Any suggestions for a super fussy baby who's making every night for 5 hours or so stressful for us and unsettling for him? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-tell-me-this-is-normal#post-842728 Sun, 09 Jun 2013 07:17:38 +0000 lomom 842728@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Agree 100% on the tongue tie... LO's was borderline but it was still impacting his ability to transfer. He had a decent latch but just couldn't get enough and zonked from exhaustion before getting full so he wanted to nurse every 30 minutes or so. I was having to top him off with a bottle of pumped milk to get him full. As soon as the tongue tie was fixed, he was able to get satisfied nursing, no pumping and bottles needed! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-tell-me-this-is-normal#post-842718 Sun, 09 Jun 2013 07:04:15 +0000 Boheme 842718@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yep, C is on his 14th or maybe 20th - I've lost count! - feed of the last 24 hours. An LC could work wonders for you. I was ready to quit day 3 when my baby was hungry, screaming, couldn't latch, and I didn't have that wonderful magical hospital call button anymore, that I could just push and help would arrive :) Keep going!</p> <p>If they check for tongue tie and decide to clip it - C was back to normal about 2 minutes after as soon as I nursed him so it wasn't a huge deal! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-tell-me-this-is-normal#post-842698 Sun, 09 Jun 2013 06:29:10 +0000 heartonastring 842698@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>As others have said, totally normal! Baby is helping your milk come in and helping establish your supply.</p> <p>As for the latch, if you're having pain I always recommend seeing an LC. My DD is 6.5 weeks and I'm still healing from nipple trauma that occurred in the first two weeks. If it weren't for my LC I would have quit breastfeeding altogether. Even if the LC comes and says you're doing everything perfectly, I think that reassurance is so important for a new mom.</p> <p>Congratulations! You're doing great! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-tell-me-this-is-normal#post-842695 Sun, 09 Jun 2013 06:25:47 +0000 hilsy85 842695@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Espion: definitely a good idea!! Also have them and/or his pedi check for lip/tongue tie, specifically posterior tongue tie..that's a common reason for lipstick nipple/shallow latch. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-tell-me-this-is-normal#post-842689 Sun, 09 Jun 2013 06:10:48 +0000 T.H.O.U. 842689@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>There may be some goo you tube videos too. Seriously pinch your breast. To make it flat and shove it in. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-tell-me-this-is-normal#post-842688 Sun, 09 Jun 2013 06:07:42 +0000 Espion 842688@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SleepyMonkey: I will definitely try that. Now, in fact. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-tell-me-this-is-normal#post-842687 Sun, 09 Jun 2013 06:06:16 +0000 SleepyMonkey 842687@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Espion: have you tried different holds? i found that i could get the deepest latch with the football hold, starting by baby laying down parallel to my leg and me leaning over her (i know i know, its bad form but at that time i was in survival mode) to get the deepest latch possible, then slowly sitting upright and holding the back of her neck so her latch stayed put. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-tell-me-this-is-normal#post-842685 Sun, 09 Jun 2013 05:57:40 +0000 Espion 842685@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Revel: Amen, sister. I'm partly glad the newborn stage is fleeting and it's partly lucky he's cute, lol! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-tell-me-this-is-normal#post-842683 Sun, 09 Jun 2013 05:51:39 +0000 Espion 842683@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hilsy85: Lipstick. I know (or I've read) that this is due to a shallow latch, but he can only fit so much in there. Most of the time it just hurts like crazy. Other times it is toe-curling, excruciating. Even if I try to get a deep latch, he likes to reposition himself into a "chewing the nip off at the base" latch. I'm marching into the lactation clinic first thing Monday morning, because enduring possibly 6 weeks of this is unimagineable. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/please-tell-me-this-is-normal#post-842680 Sun, 09 Jun 2013 05:35:16 +0000 hilsy85 842680@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Espion: totally normal! Helps establish supply.</p> <p>As for the pain, some soreness is normal...I would use lots and lots of nipple cream (I liked mother love because its easier to spread than lanolin) and express some milk to put on your nipples and let them air dry. It will get better!!! </p> <p>Are your nipples looking the same when they come out of his mouth as when thy go in? Or are they looking like new tubes of lipstick? </p>