Emily's Birth Story

[TheWife]

Cluster feeding is when they go a long time between meals at certain times, and then they eat several small meals in a row for a few hours in a row. I guess Kyla was snacking more than cluster feeding since she never really went for a long time. For example, at birth most babies eat about 2oz every 2 hours. Cluster feeding is when they instead eat about 1/2 oz every 30 minutes for 2 hours straight, and then go maybe 3 or more hours till the next cluster. It's very annoying! By the time you are done feeding, get your shirt all done up and go pee or something, they are about ready to go again. So you pretty much have to make them wait as long as possible and gradually work them back to eating a full meal every few hours.

[MQAAord]

Both mine cluster-fed in the evenings. They'd want to eat every hour or every hour and a half. It started at maybe 4 weeks (?) and for both my kids was the begining of them sleeping longer stretches at night. It was like they were trying to 'stock up' before a long sleep.

So maybe take heart that she'll start sleeping a bit longer!

I don't know if cluster feeding is really an absolute indicator of longer sleeping, it just happened that way for us. Coincidence? Maybe.

BTW how's that pain doing? Seen your doc yet? Hope you're feeling better!

[Bigsweetie]

Michelle,
I did what you recommended last night and it worked like a charm. It was a grueling couple of hours while she fussed, but once I was able to get 4oz. down her, she slept for three straight hours (whoo hoo!!). The nights are getting easier thankfully. She really is a good baby. She only fusses when she wants something... other than that she's pretty content.

The pain is still there, but getting only slightly better each day. I see the doc tomorrow. The only thing keeping me going is the Vicodin. I hate relying on such an addictive drug, but when I try to skip a dose I am in so much pain. Hopefully I won't have to go to rehab after all this (ha! ha!).

Take care.

Tanya

[Kristie]

I can't believe she's only 11 days old and already sleeping 3 hrs into the night! is that typical or extraordinary?

Hope you start feeling better Tanya.. if not, talk to that doc of yours!!

[MQAAord]

Hmm, yeah if you're still needing the Vicodin after 11 days there's something that ought to be checked out. I doubt you'll need rehab though! [img]images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

3 hours is terrific! I hope this is the beginning of longer night-sleeps for her (and you)!

3 hours is pretty typical of a newborn. There are some miracle babies out there that sleep ALL the time and have to be woken up to be fed. That does not in any way describe either of mine. But I'm feeling pretty darn lucky that Brandon is consistantly sleeping though the night now. As long as he isn't so fussy that I can't get him to eat before bed. If he'll eat 2 oz or so before he goes down at 8, he'll sleep til 5:00 or 6:00. Which is (I think) awesome for a preemie not-even-4 month old!

Those first months are REALLY tough! I would just dread the night. It would be 9:00, and Alex was asleep, and I knew I'd be up 3 or 4 times to feed Brandon before Alex got up for the day. Then there was no 'sleeping while the baby sleeps'. Take advantage of the ability to do that with baby #1! I missed SO much being able to crash in the daytime when Brandon would sleep.

[CaptainsWife]

What a beautiful, but stressful, story! I am in tears over here! She is precious!

[Lianna]

I just read this thread and your story brought tears to my eyes! I don't have any kids yet, but I can't wait to experience that type of love. Congratulations AGAIN! She's precious.

[Kimberly]

I hear ya!!
All the pain in the world is worth it!
Now sleep deprivation, that is another story
Thanks for sharing your story! Hope you are feeling better soon.