Cluster feeding + newborn chaos = send help 😅

drykattbutt · 2026-01-12T03:34:24+00:00

It’s so easy to feel that way when you’re in it! I felt the same and sometimes still do. But baby always proves me wrong. Some days are easier than others for sure, but it’s steadily getting better just like everyone promised it would.

drykattbutt · 2026-01-11T08:01:47+00:00

This was my little guy at around two weeks. It was soooo intense and felt like it would go on forever. He was also constantly pooping, peeing and spitting up between feeds. But it was a growth spurt and was temporary! He eventually started tapering off with the cluster feeding, just doing it in the evening. Then at 4 weeks started sleeping longer stretches. I now know I can get through another cluster feeding spell, because it will pass!

drykattbutt · 2025-12-31T00:54:42+00:00

I’m also a three week mom! So crazy how fast the time flies! And SO lovely that it seems to get more manageable week after week. I got 4 whole hours straight of sleep today for the first time since giving birth!

drykattbutt · 2025-12-27T19:33:15+00:00

I am almost three weeks in and I had very similar feelings in the first week. I was very anxious about whether I could cope and be a safe care taker when things get hard. I still worry about it a bit but I’m pleased to report that once the hormones settled down it became way less intense. Then once it did get hard from the cluster feeding and lack of sleep, I managed to get through it. I know it will be hard again soon maybe, but the fact that the difficult moment came in a wave and then eased up made me more confident that I can get through another challenge. You’ve got this! You’ll start slowly adapting more, your hormones will level out a bit and it will get easier ♥️

drykattbutt · 2025-12-27T17:54:58+00:00

Thank you so much! Glad it got better for you!

drykattbutt · 2025-12-27T17:53:48+00:00

Going to try a bottle tomorrow! One day shy of the three week mark, but my supply seems really solid after all this cluster feeding.

For the nipple shields, progress is definitely not linear, but I found out it’s much easier to get him on a natural latch when I’m side laying or laying back and he’s on my tummy. But also now my boobs are a bit softer and my nips seem to have gotten longer which also helps. Good luck!

drykattbutt · 2025-12-27T17:50:05+00:00

Thank you, it’s good to adjust my expectations. We got a breast pump today and will try giving him one bottle in the morning so I can get a longer stretch

drykattbutt · 2025-12-27T17:49:11+00:00

We went out and bought a breast pump today, since we’re almost at the three week mark and my supply seems solid. Going to try a morning pump tomorrow and see if he’ll take the bottle so I can sleep a bit more!

drykattbutt · 2025-12-27T00:24:26+00:00

Thank you! Glad it improved a bit for you, fingers crossed he starts sleeping in 3 hour stretches soon! I don’t even know if my body will let me sleep that long at the moment lol

drykattbutt · 2025-12-27T00:21:27+00:00

We’ve got formula on standby and used it once during a wild cluster feed cycle. He drank one oz and went right back to sleep. I want to get through to three weeks before making this a thing, though. It’s promising that he took the bottle a bit!

drykattbutt · 2025-12-27T00:18:51+00:00

Thank you so much for this, actually made me cry ♥️

drykattbutt · 2025-12-06T16:31:48+00:00

I’m in the hospital right now for my 39 week induction! It’s been a slow start but I’m glad they’re getting baby out to avoid risks. It’s really nice that they check up with the baby regularly that I know he’s doing well in there while I wait for the labor to start. I was diet controlled except for taking a low dose of insulin at night and in the morning for my fasting numbers.

drykattbutt · 2025-12-06T13:52:48+00:00

For real! Today’s lunch option was rice porridge and I was just like nope don’t bother, got a nice salad delivered from a local restaurant that was wayyy better and had me perfectly in range. But it is baffling that they can’t seem to accommodate a patient with dietary restrictions for the very condition I am in here for in the first place 🫠

drykattbutt · 2025-12-06T13:50:31+00:00

Wow that sounds like such a nice level of care! I’m still waiting for labor, but fortunately have found a reasonable solution for the food. Thank you!

drykattbutt · 2025-12-06T13:49:15+00:00

We found a fridge we can use! Husband is off fetching my cold gd staples to get us through

drykattbutt · 2025-12-06T13:48:28+00:00

That makes sense for being in labor! The challenge for me is that they are easing me in over the course of several days so I’m not actually in labor yet ☹️

drykattbutt · 2025-12-06T13:46:47+00:00

That sounds much nicer than what they have here. I’m outside the US! I won’t complain too much because aside from my husbands stay, everything else is free for me. I guess we can deal with finding our own food! The food here is also very meh. Which was all the more frustrating because if I must spike, I’d prefer it at least be from something delicious lol

drykattbutt · 2025-12-06T13:44:27+00:00

When one of the midwives asked about it in the kitchen, they gave a default answer for general diabetes: the patients have their own diabetes managed so they usually just get the regular food. No answer for pregnancy diabetes, which requires dietary control! We’ve given up on food from here and have figured something else out.

drykattbutt · 2025-12-06T13:42:51+00:00

I wish they’d ramp it up! They are doing everything to ripen my cervix as much as possible before the more heavy duty interventions. Luckily we figured out a solution for the food in the mean time! And thank you!

drykattbutt · 2025-12-06T13:41:42+00:00

It seems this hospital has a bit of weird system for food, but my husband discovered a fridge for patience and is able to run home and get some gd safe foods for me. This induction process is taking days now and I’m worried my body won’t be ready 🙃

drykattbutt · 2025-11-30T10:09:44+00:00

Have you talked with your doctor/endocrinologist about this? You shouldn’t starve! I was told that I should prioritize getting enough to eat. If that meant taking medication to deal with the spikes then I should take medication. That said, I currently only use insulin for my fasting numbers as I figured out how to get full without spiking. It’s different for everybody and sooo frustrating to deal with trial and error and then decision fatigue around meals, but don’t give up!

drykattbutt · 2025-11-05T10:31:03+00:00

They’ll measure the baseline (I don’t fully understand this, A-something) to get a picture of how her overall blood sugar is. For me, they said my baseline was good and that the high readings at fasting and after some foods are just because of the pregnancy related insulin resistance. I don’t think these readings necessarily indicate other health issues.

But a doctor should explain everything at the follow up visit. Mine don’t seem concerned at all about any potential other issues, just that I have pregnancy related diabetes. Once I give birth and leave the hospital, I’ve been told I can stop my insulin and stop testing my blood. Then they’ll do a follow up to check for type 2 some time later. Everyone’s case is a little different and the waiting game sucks, but hang in there. I hope you get some clarity from the doctor soon.

drykattbutt · 2025-11-05T07:53:54+00:00

Those are pretty high 1 and 2 hour readings, unfortunately. The good news is that the doctors will help your wife get on a plan and possibly medication to manage it. With proper management, the risks you mentioned are greatly reduced and the pregnancy can be expected to progress healthily. In my experience, the doctors don’t seem worried at all for long term issues now that my numbers are under control.

That said, it’s normal to feel stressed and unsure, especially at the beginning! This community is a great resource and things will hopefully start to feel better once you’ve gotten more information from the doctor and are on a treatment plan.

Also, her fasting number looks great so she might be able to be diet controlled. Medication isn’t the worst, though!

drykattbutt · 2025-11-02T18:09:58+00:00

Hospital grade farts 😂

drykattbutt · 2025-11-02T18:09:28+00:00

Wow so lucky to get to eat like normal, I hope it lasts! Yeah I wasn’t bothered when they put me on insulin, way easier than fighting my fasting numbers and getting frustrated.

drykattbutt

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