Scheduling my 6 week old

Karena - posted on 08/14/2009

I notice that a few other moms have mentioned the growth spurt thing. It typically happens at 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months. Just fee on demand and it should pass soon. Also consider the fact that breastmilk is 50 % digested after 1 hour and 90 % digested by 2 hours so a 3 hour "schedule" (which is more normal for formula fed babies) doesn't always work for breastfed ones. I would really recommend that you check out the La Leche League site: http://www.llli.org/

They have the answer to the question your asking under the resource page and will also give great advice on going back to work. I would also suggest that while at the site you look up your local group as the leader will definately be able to give you great advice and suggestions that will make sure you are able to continue to successfully breastfed.

Laura - posted on 08/14/2009

Your son obviously isn't getting enough milk, so the best thing you can do is start bottle feeding your baby, you will then see a difference and feeding your son will then be more controlable and your son will be happy because he will then be more satisfied. I breast fed my daughter and I was feeding her all the time because she wasn't getting enough, so she was still hungry. When I put her on the bottle so was happy and the feeding ending up once every 3 hours.

Kim - posted on 08/12/2009

Quoting Chelsea:

Quoting Amanda:

have you tried pumping and bottle feeding? Maybe he would be more interested in "getting down to buisness" plus if you are going back to work he will probably be using a bottle more when that happens and should be gotten used to it.

This will result in low milk supply in most cases.  A pump cannot get close to what a baby can get from the breast.  Giving a bottle when not necessary also leads to nipple confusion/nipple preference.  The baby may not go back to nursing at the breast.  

I haven't found this to be true at all. My 3 month old took a bottle fine and has no problems nursing when I come home from work at night. In fact, during his first two weeks I pumped and bottle-fed him mostly since we had problems breastfeeding. When he was two weeks old, I went to a lac. consultant, and my baby had no problem going to the breast after being bottle-fed, and vice versa. I think it depends on the baby.

What I have noticed is that since I've been back to work for the last three weeks, my son wants to nurse all night long when I do get home (I work evenings), so I'm up every two hours with him during the night. I pump at work, and get at least 6 oz. every few hours. My supply hasn't diminished at all. I think it actually might be easier to use the pump a few times before going back to work, for mama and baby. Mom needs to get used to using the pump and invoking similar "breastfeeding feelings" to stimulate supply, and baby needs to learn how to take a bottle from someone else so there aren't major issues once work does begin again. At least that's how I did it and I've had great success! My baby is happy and still wants to nurse when he's with me...more in fact! I'm not sure if it's a growth spurt or the result of him missing his mama, but I love coming home to relax and nurse him after a long night at work. It's the best part of my day.

p.s. I bring a few pictures of my son to look at while I'm pumping at work, or I close my eyes and picture him smiling. It really helps!

Tawny - posted on 08/12/2009

i am in the same boat my 8 wk old is a huge snacker and wont feed for a long period and go a couple hours until the next feeding...i have no answers im looking for them too lol

Joanie - posted on 08/12/2009

Six weeks is typically a growth spurt time, so I would be hesitant to withhold feedings for too long. I would encourage him to continue eating on one side as long as possible, by massaging his back or shoulders just enough to irritate him. And then I would burp him and offer the other side. You can try changing his diaper between sides to wake him up enough to take the other side. If it's a growth spurt, it shouldn't last too long. Also, when you are trying to hold him off, try stimulating him by taking him outside or somewhere around other people or kids. That can keep his mind off food. Oh, one more thing. A lot of times people mistake sleepiness for hunger. He might just need a nap. Babies shouldn't be awake for more than two hours at a time (the experts say) so pay attention to the clock for both sleep and feedings. Good luck.

Amber - posted on 08/09/2009

Don't get discouraged. My daughter goes through these fazes and it will probably pass. Your baby could just be going through a growth spurt or just needs the comfort. Also, I learned that what everyone else said above is true. Make sure baby is getting the hind milk and that will make the in between stretch longer. I know it can get a little frustrating devoting so much time to it but relax and enjoy it, it's so worth it. Good luck!

Mandy - posted on 08/09/2009

make sure he is getting the hind milk and not just the foremilk. when he feeds, keep feeding on the one side untill your breast feels really soft. he needs the hind milk as it is fattier and will keep him full for longer. i had to do this with my son. he is now 7mo and still only feeds on one side at a time.

Chelsea - posted on 08/09/2009

I would suggest that you try a few things to see if you can get him to go a bit longer between feeds but keep it in your mind that you may just have to except him as he is. Infants nurse for a variety of reasons not just for nutrition and that may be part of what is happening. He may be seeking comfort, closeness and to fulfill his sucking reflex. By allowing him to do all of those things while getting nutrition you are fulfilling his needs. I applaud you on fulfilling those basic needs because a lot of mothers these days rely on artificial means to fulfill their babies need for contact, love and sucking. A baby that is held close and breastfed on demand is healthier with more regular breathing patterns, better upper body strength and more stable blood sugar levels.

With all that being said I have a feeling that your infant is going through a growth spurt and is cluster feeding to up your milk supply to meet the ever growing demands of his body. This cluster feeding can go on for 1-2 weeks but should subside after that. One way to help this process along is to keep your infant awake at the breast. If this has been an issue (it normally is with new borns) take all of his clothes off of him and wipe him down with a wipe prior to feeding. Squeeze your breast when your infants sucking slows during the feeding. Also prior to the feeding message your breasts and warm them with a hot compress to encourage more milk to let down. The more your infant takes in at a feeding the longer (typically) they will go without nursing. That being said breastmilk is fully digested in 90 minutes.

Keep up the great work breastfeeding on demand. The hourly feedings WILL NOT go on forever so enjoy that close time with you infant. My daughter is 10 months old and stays no more than 5 minutes at the breast every 4 hours or so. I long to hold her close the way you are holding your infant close and some day you will look back and remember these moments fondly even though right now it seems like a chore.

Chelsea - posted on 08/09/2009

Quoting Amanda:

have you tried pumping and bottle feeding? Maybe he would be more interested in "getting down to buisness" plus if you are going back to work he will probably be using a bottle more when that happens and should be gotten used to it.

This will result in low milk supply in most cases.  A pump cannot get close to what a baby can get from the breast.  Giving a bottle when not necessary also leads to nipple confusion/nipple preference.  The baby may not go back to nursing at the breast.  

Brittany - posted on 08/09/2009

My son is that way also right now, the doctor said that he is probally going through a growth spurt and suggested that I suplement with formula when I feel like I can't feed him anymore. Supplementing with formula is also nice because when you are feeding him that often it is nice to have a break and his dad, or someone else can feed him while you get a break.

Nicole - posted on 08/09/2009

Nursing all of the time is normal for a six week old. They cluster feed during growth spurts. I went back to work full time four weeks post partum and never had the need for a schedule. Nursing on demand is what babies need since their stomachs are so small. It does get better until the next growth spurt ;) It always passes fairly quickly. I still nurse Phoebe on demand and she is ten months old now.

Melissa - posted on 08/08/2009

My 5.5 week old gets in moods like that as well and still isn't on a good schedule and it has def taken a toll on me so don't feel bad you are not alone! What I have found is that if I don't let her fall asleep at my nipple then she will feed for the full time. Try to keep your son awake and alert if possible so he won't feed for a few minutes at a time. If he is staying awake and still doing it then I would suggest pumping to see if he is more interested in the bottle or if he will like it more because it comes out faster then he will fill faster so if he loses his attention span then he will be fuller and not want to feed as often. Also, by pumping, you can see if your milk starts to let down around the time he stops feeding because that might be the reason as well...if thats the case he might think that feeding time is over if your milk isn't coming out as fast. Good luck!

Angela - posted on 08/08/2009

I went back to work at 6 weeks as well. My baby was eating all the time, which doesn't last much longer than the 2nd month. Try to pump every three hours and that should keep your milk supply up. Just wait a couple more weeks and ur baby should be in a better 3-4 hour schedule. Also, when u come home at night feed the baby as much as he wants and then when he falls asleep he should give you a good stretch which will increase in the upcoming weeks! Don't give up! :)

Amanda - posted on 08/08/2009

have you tried pumping and bottle feeding? Maybe he would be more interested in "getting down to buisness" plus if you are going back to work he will probably be using a bottle more when that happens and should be gotten used to it.

Teresa - posted on 08/08/2009

Good luck! We had my twins on a 3 hour feeding schedule right from birth and it was fabulous. They thrived wonderfully and were really good sleepers too. I tried to do the same w/ my son and he just wouldn't have it. At 16 months now, he still nurses all the time and sleeps horribly. I'm a big believer that schedules are better for everyone.



Sorry, I don't really have any advice on how to help you get him on one. Maybe you could start by gently encouraging him to eat a bit more when he tries to be done and then slowly stretching out time between feeds (like 10-15 minutes at a time). Hopefully he will begin spacing out a bit more for you. Try not to stress about it if he won't cooperate though. Some kids don't unfortunately.