how often?

Jana - posted on 01/03/2009

I can not be of any reall assistance here as I have never had a breastfed baby on a schedule. It is always on demand so I am not sure how that would work! I think you are really going to have to wait until your baby makes that move I do not think that it is wise to try and set your lo to a 4 hour feeding schedule until their body says that it is ok as breast milk is digested very quickly hence the frequency of breastfeeding sessions. good luck

Mary - posted on 01/03/2009

Just go with the flow, feed him when he's hungry. I say no to schedules.

Angela - posted on 01/03/2009

I agree with all the moms that responded and I have to say that your baby is so adorable!!!! Already lifting his head!!

Jackie - posted on 01/03/2009

Yeah the 4 hours schedule is for formula fed babies! BB babies can't be over fed unlike formula fed babies. I nursed my son for 1 1/2 years on demand. There is too many factors to take into consideration to make a schedule work. For example, growth spurts, how can the baby let your body know they need more milk when they are growing if you are feeding them on a clock? When a baby nurses more often its to cue your body into producing more for them. I also found my son would feed more during certain time of day. Lots in the morning and night time but less during the afternoon. He was preping for that long night time sleep.

Sara - posted on 01/03/2009

My 12 week old nurses whenever she wants:) It ranges from 1.5 hours to 8 hours... usually more like 2-3hr with longer stretches of 4 hr at night. It drives me nuts when my mother says "you're feeding her again already... she just ate 2 hours ago." Like I can't tell when my child is hungry. She says "they" used to tell moms to put babies on a 4 hour schedule. I believe a schedule is helpful... but a baby needs to eat when they are hungry and not when the clock says so. Just follow your intuition... if he wants to wait more than 3 hours, try and see how it goes. There's no right or wrong as far as I'm concerned. As long as he is thriving and happy:) and so is Mom!

Libby - posted on 01/02/2009

My six week old nurses every 2 - 3 hours...I just feed her when she is hungry. She usually naps after each feeding and when she wakes up and starts getting fussy I feed her. I don't let her sleep more than 3 or four hours during the day ....I'll wake her up to eat.

Annie - posted on 01/02/2009

I agree don't worry about schduals and watching the clock. Your little one will let you know when it's time to eat. Look for the signs routing, sucking on hands, upper lips, whinning and crying. Crying is the last sign of being hungry so watch for the other ques.

Jenna - posted on 01/02/2009

I too have let my lil guy lead his schedule. Although one warning about that....I do know of ppl that have let their babies go longer during the day ex. every 4 hrs and it ruined their night time norm. The babies starting feeding every 4 hrs 24/7. Instead of getting more feeds in during the day. Every bab is different though. My lil guy at 3 mos may go 2-4 hrs. during the day between feeds. He goes 8-10 at night.

Shannon - posted on 01/02/2009

Feed him when he seems hungry.... I never put my son on a schedule... I let him decide when he is hungry and we now have a set schedule all on his own. At 4 months he eats at 715am, then again at about 10 am, again once before i leave for work at 1230.. he'll take 3 bottles throughout the time I am at work, then nurse again when I get home at about 11pm and one more at 4am.... clockwork!! Ohh, and I manage to pump usually about 2 times at work to keep my supply up. Good luck in what ever you choose to do....