hourly BF 6 week old baby how can i extend the intervals?

Sara - posted on 09/07/2009

My daughter will be 9 weeks tomorrow and I thought she would be nursing 24/7 forever but over the last 3 weeks or so she has been spacing her feedings. She used to only nurse for 5 minutes at a time, on one side but now she is nursing 15 minutes and just started trying to empty both. So hang in there, I think you're almost there as far as getting some sleep. I get 4 hours at a time now. My best advice is to feed on demand, your baby will get on a schedule. Also, sleep when baby sleeps as much as possible even if that means neglecting the house work or taking a 'sick' day from work! Best of luck.

Maria - posted on 09/07/2009

Patience is the the key! If you are feeding so often it probably means that your baby is going though a quick growth phase and its totally normal! I remember a phase where i had to feed my baby every hour and from much longer 40 minutes each time. Whatever you do dont try to delay the baby feeding. Just remember that it will naturally change as the baby grows up! Patience!

Kat - posted on 09/07/2009

At 5 weeks my little guy did the sae thing. it was his first real growth spurt but that week I thought BFing was gonna be the end of me. i wanted to quit at least once a day, usually more. but i would just tell my self - i just need to get through HIS feeding and after a week he setled back into his noral pattern. but yes, those growth spurts are tough

Nicole - posted on 09/07/2009

It can be exhausting, hang in there! They say six weeks is a time of a growth spurt. I don't know about that as mine were always in a growth spurt (both boys 20 lbs by 4.5 and 3.5 months). My first nursed hourly for a long while and he'd take 45 minutes!!! So I'm glad you have a quick nurser. He finally gave me three hours sleep just shy of 3 months. Whew! Keep up your diet and fluids and rest when your son does, if you can.

Erynne - posted on 09/07/2009

Well, I know it's exhausting... but if you were hungry and someone told you, "Look, it's not convenient for me right now, just wait" how would you feel?

Your baby will grow and be able to go longer between nursing sessions. There is a growth spurt right around 6wk, I think, so he may just be getting ready to hit his spurt. He'll need a lot more calories while this is happening... just be patient!

Do you ever use a pacifier? If he's not TRULY hungry, sometimes the pacifier will hold them off for a little while.

- E

Minnie - posted on 09/07/2009

Attempts at holding baby off of nursing has been lined to failure to thrive/dehydration for baby and a failing milk supply for mother.



You can indeed make sure you do breast compressions while baby is nursing so baby gets lots of the fatty hindmilk, but you do not want to extend time in between nursings.



Keep in mind that breastfeeding is not just a source of nutrition or fluids for your baby but is a very important source of immunities, growth factors, and comfort.



Babies need to nurse very frequently sometimes because that is how they stimulate your breasts to increase your milk supply. My own ten month old has never gone an hour without nursing, and she typically nurses 2-3 times an hour. The biological norm appears to be about 3-4 times an hour of just a few minutes each. The 20 minutes every 3 hours advised by doctors and nurses just isn't typical.



http://www.kathydettwyler.org/detsuck.ht...

http://www.kathydettwyler.org/detfreq.ht...

Rochelle - posted on 09/07/2009

I can only tell you of my experience....My little guy (now 3 mos) feed every hour for the first month & a bit. He is still on an every two hour schedule, and is starting slowly to (thankfully!) slow down....to every three hours. It's super important to note that most babies experience their first growth spurt at around 6 weeks of age. This will not last long, and the feedings will slow down significantly after its over. My advice is to hang in there--there IS light at the end of the tunnel. Another idea that was given to me was to feed him a bottle of formula as the last feed before bedtime, which will keep his belley full longer. I tried this once with mine, for sanity, but he hated the taste (was OK with the switch back & forth between breast & bottle, though, thankfully...) Good luck, and this too shall pass...:)