Tips for getting your baby to go longer between feedings?

Eladia - posted on 04/19/2009

Quoting Vanessa:

yes, sometimes i feel like that too. having one little person so dependent on you is draining.
things will change soon and i know you will feel better :)

Thank you

Vanessa - posted on 04/19/2009

yes, sometimes i feel like that too. having one little person so dependent on you is draining.

things will change soon and i know you will feel better :)

Eladia - posted on 04/19/2009

Quoting Vanessa:

please remember that human breast milk is easily digested and young babies need to feed frequently! it is completley normal for a 3 month old baby to be breast feeding as you are describing and trying to impose a "schedule" on your breastfed 3 month old baby will only lead to problems, (for example- engorgment, mastitis, reduced supply) and frustration (for both of you) when your baby asks for more than the "schdule allows".
the beautiful thing about breastfeeding is that it suits your baby's needs at that exact moment and it can be flexable (i mean it always there and avaiable, just as nature intended).
breastfeeding happens easily and naturally when you follow your baby's lead.
breast milk is different at different times of day, sometimes they feed for a few minutes other times for an hour. sometimes they "cluster feed" (ie, 5 or 6 feeds in 4 hours), then sleep for 4 hours.
unfortunately many old fashoned ideas (that all relate to artificial infant feeding) have done alot of damage to mothers trying to establish successful breastfeeding relationships with their babies. artifical infant formula is processed powdered milk that is based on cow's milk (not easily digested by babies). thus the idea of scheduled feeding came about, as it actually takes atleast that long for digestion to occur.
this is simply not the case with breastfeeding.
when they are having a growth spurt, they feed more frequently to boost your suply.
when they are thirsty they want to feed.....don't forget babies get thirsty too! (especially in warm weather....and breast milk is all they need until they are 6 months old)
i know mothering and breastfeeding can wear you down (especially if you feel unsupported). ask for help where you can. your loved ones around you can support your breastfeeding relationship with your baby by helping with lots of other things.....or help settle the baby or take him for a walk while you do something for yourself.
hang in there, breastfeeding this intensly doesn't last for ever. things change from month to month.
one tip i learnt so much from is "when you acknowledge somethings is normal....
it makes it a whole lot easier to cope with".
maybe get some support from your local breastfeeding group???
i found being around other breastfeeding mother's the most valuable support to me. when you see other babies going back to their mum's boob frequently.....you will think "oh, that baby does that too!"
i have 2 babies, both breastfed according to their need and they thrived and to be honest, so did i as a mother and a person.
if you follow your baby's lead, i promise things will work out for you. trust ytour baby and trust yourself. know you are doing your best and the rewards will be HUGE!!!!
good luck.

 Thank you Vanessa,

I know that babies need to eat where their hungry, and of course I'll feed him each time he wants it, but after awhile it becomes very exhuasting. I like your idea of having help from others and seeing a breast feeding group. I will look into that, I can't wait for the day when he settles down and I can rest up a little.

 Thank you for your response!

Vanessa - posted on 04/19/2009

please remember that human breast milk is easily digested and young babies need to feed frequently! it is completley normal for a 3 month old baby to be breast feeding as you are describing and trying to impose a "schedule" on your breastfed 3 month old baby will only lead to problems, (for example- engorgment, mastitis, reduced supply) and frustration (for both of you) when your baby asks for more than the "schdule allows".

the beautiful thing about breastfeeding is that it suits your baby's needs at that exact moment and it can be flexable (i mean it always there and avaiable, just as nature intended).

breastfeeding happens easily and naturally when you follow your baby's lead.

breast milk is different at different times of day, sometimes they feed for a few minutes other times for an hour. sometimes they "cluster feed" (ie, 5 or 6 feeds in 4 hours), then sleep for 4 hours.

unfortunately many old fashoned ideas (that all relate to artificial infant feeding) have done alot of damage to mothers trying to establish successful breastfeeding relationships with their babies. artifical infant formula is processed powdered milk that is based on cow's milk (not easily digested by babies). thus the idea of scheduled feeding came about, as it actually takes atleast that long for digestion to occur.

this is simply not the case with breastfeeding.

when they are having a growth spurt, they feed more frequently to boost your suply.

when they are thirsty they want to feed.....don't forget babies get thirsty too! (especially in warm weather....and breast milk is all they need until they are 6 months old)

i know mothering and breastfeeding can wear you down (especially if you feel unsupported). ask for help where you can. your loved ones around you can support your breastfeeding relationship with your baby by helping with lots of other things.....or help settle the baby or take him for a walk while you do something for yourself.

hang in there, breastfeeding this intensly doesn't last for ever. things change from month to month.

one tip i learnt so much from is "when you acknowledge somethings is normal....

it makes it a whole lot easier to cope with".

maybe get some support from your local breastfeeding group???

i found being around other breastfeeding mother's the most valuable support to me. when you see other babies going back to their mum's boob frequently.....you will think "oh, that baby does that too!"

i have 2 babies, both breastfed according to their need and they thrived and to be honest, so did i as a mother and a person.

if you follow your baby's lead, i promise things will work out for you. trust ytour baby and trust yourself. know you are doing your best and the rewards will be HUGE!!!!

good luck.

Itsamystery - posted on 04/18/2009

There's also a growth spurt at 4 months :)

Amanda - posted on 04/18/2009

No problems, my 9 month old, did this every 3 months right on the dot almost. We just got over every hour to 2 hour feedings for a few days, now shes back to normal. Stick it out he will go back to normal feedings.

Eladia - posted on 04/18/2009

Quoting Amanda-Lynn:

He is feeding more because hes the right age for a major growth spurt, 3, 6, and 9 months.

Ahhh i didn't know that. Thanks!

Amanda - posted on 04/18/2009

He is feeding more because hes the right age for a major growth spurt, 3, 6, and 9 months.

Lisa - posted on 04/18/2009

I find that my bub does this around growth spurts- they feed more often to produce more milk. It usually only lasts about 3 days then shes back to normal (between 2.5 and 4 hr feeds) If bub fusses an hr after feeds shes usually settles nicely with dummy n cuddles. It can be very tiring demand feeding but its worth stickin it out!!

Eladia - posted on 04/18/2009

Thanks, I saw the doctor and he said that I'm producing enough for twins, so he should be getting enough, but maybe he gets lazy and acts as though he's full. Next time I'm going to try to get him to get longer than the 30 minutes. Thank you!

Sara - posted on 04/18/2009

I have a four month old, and had similar problems. For me I didn't produce enough milk for her and she had to eat more often, now I supplement with a bottle when I need it and she is much happier. If your baby is not getting enough milk try eating more fruits, vegetables and dairy that helped me a lot.

Eladia - posted on 04/18/2009

My baby is three months old now, and we aren't on a schdule yet, I'm trying to get him to go longer than two hours between feedings. Right now he eats for apx 30 mins, then plays for 40 then sleeps for another 50 mins. Then it repeats. When he was a bit younger he would go longer, sometimes 3 to 4 hours between feedings. But now for some reason he's gone down to 2.

Any suggestions for help get him going longer without needing to eat would be amazing.

Thanks!