My daughter still nurses every 2-3 hours???

Suzanne - posted on 02/08/2009

Maybe you're not producing enough to satisfy her. I had that same problem. I supplemented between nursings with a bottle of formula.

Jennifer - posted on 02/07/2009

Quoting Claudine:

Are you offering her water after she eats solids? I found this to be true for my daughter as well, come to find that she was very thirsty after feeding her solids, plus at this age they need water to assist their kidney/liver function. I give my daughter  water with fluoride in it, which you can find in the baby section of most stores, the fluoride helps their teeth development. She has not take well to the sippy cup yet, so I offer her water in a bottle and then try with the sippy after she has has a few ounces of water, so I know she is getting adequately hydrated.

breastfed baby's don't really need water. the milk that comes out first is low cal milk that is like water. breast milk is best it's like water food and it helps them with constapation

Jennifer - posted on 02/07/2009

sounds like a gas, burp and feed again or u are now a suce which is fine. if it makes u feel better i am in the same position as u. do u offer solids before or after feeding(makes a difference) does she empty out one breast before u give the other. because she might be getting the low cal milk the rich filling milk is at the end. when she gets up or right after a feeding offer the last breast then switch when u see her sucking but not swallowing, even if she is falling asleep, switch she will end up spacing the feeds more. rich milk is more filling and that's at the end. to know if the breast is empty squeeze the nipple to get milk out about 3-5 times if at the 5th time not much comes out it's time to switch

Shayna - posted on 02/07/2009

I have always fed on demand.  My boy eats about every 3-3.5 hrs.  At night it varies, but as a rule, he usually sleeps for 8-10 hrs a night.   I am barely giving him solids.  I've done apple a few times and  a carrot a few times.  I nurse him on both sides every time, usually about 15-18 minutes total.

I agree with whoever said that she might not be hungry, just cranky, tired, just needs attention, etc.  and may be try to play with her, put her down, etc.

I am not an expert, nor a doctor and this is my first kid - just so you know.

But one thing I know for a fact - snacking through out the day for adults is MUCH healthier than eating 3 full means.  I don't know how it translates for babies, but since their stomach is smaller, common sense would tell me that they need to eat more through out the day.

I am all for discipline, but when it comes to food, it's a completely diffeent ball game. I don't believe you should be forcing baby to eat when she is not hungry and not feeding her when she is, just to "make a schedule".  JMHO

Claudine - posted on 02/06/2009

Are you offering her water after she eats solids? I found this to be true for my daughter as well, come to find that she was very thirsty after feeding her solids, plus at this age they need water to assist their kidney/liver function. I give my daughter  water with fluoride in it, which you can find in the baby section of most stores, the fluoride helps their teeth development. She has not take well to the sippy cup yet, so I offer her water in a bottle and then try with the sippy after she has has a few ounces of water, so I know she is getting adequately hydrated.

Julie - posted on 02/06/2009

My daugher still nurses every 2 hours during the day and night time it varies. She is not "snacking"..she is truly hungry. I go by her schedule, and I do not think it is necessary to conform her into a different one. Every baby is different, and breast milk goes through some babies faster, depending on their energy levels, metabolism, etc. We just go with the flow...I do not even pay attention to the clock. I think it would drive me crazy if I did.

There is no "schedule" that will work for all babies....please be careful trying to conform your baby to one.

Stephanie - posted on 02/06/2009

My baby will go anywhere from 1-4 hours during the day and can go all night. Sometimes we're up every 3 hours at night too. But I notice that no matter when she's eaten, as soon as I get home from work, she wants to nurse. I think she likes the closeness.

Liz - posted on 02/06/2009

just another idea, not every time your baby cries is she hungry. she could be too wet, or tired, or she just may want some attention from you. i've also read that if your baby nurses for less than 10 minutes on each side, she is not getting the "hind milk" that is more fatty and will (hopefully) make her feel full and be able to go longer between feedings.

Heather - posted on 02/02/2009

my daughter eats every 2 excet at night ous has a schedule.... like my doc told me... she wont eat if shes not hungry... my baby girl is 16lbs 3 oz and healthy thats all that matters... every baby is diff

Beckie - posted on 02/02/2009

my little boy does i say they want it give it to them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anita - posted on 02/01/2009

Schedule, schedule, schedule. (Am I repeating myself and others who have already said that? I guess I feel strongly about this.) Snacking all day long isn't really healthy for adults, so naturally I don't think it's a good habit for our babies to have either. I think your life will be a lot easier if you can work you and your baby into a rhythm/routine. I would also say this to Megyn. YOU are the parent. You can teach your baby when he/she needs to eat during the day, and that will help them (and you) sleep better at night.

Here's what we do. When she wakes up, I feed her. (If your baby is used to snacking just a few minutes and then wanting to play or sleep, work on lengthening the mealtime till they can take a full meal.) She is then rested and full, which means she is happy. She plays, either with me, her sisters, or by herself until she's tired and starts to rub her eyes, fuss, be uninterested in anything except cuddling. Usually this is for about an hour to an hour and a half. (Different babies have different sleep cues--you follow yours's signals.) I hold her close, give her a pacifier and wrap her in a blanket, and cuddle her for a few minutes, then put her down for her nap. (Sometimes she goes down still awake, sometimes I hold her till she's asleep and then put her down. I think it's important that she can do either.) She has a good nap, and when she wakes up, it's usually been about 3 1/2 hrs since her last meal. Perfect. (We're in the process of her meals going from 3 to 3 1/2, and soon I hope she'll be going  4 hrs between meals.) She's ready to eat, and since she's well rested, she doesn't have any trouble staying awake through a full feeding (unless I am sleepy and then she will fall asleep too.)

With all 3 of our girls, a well-rested and well-fed baby equals a happy baby. And we all know a happy baby makes a happy mama!! Good luck.

PS: I got my routine from a book called "Babywise." It's meant to start from newborn up, but the principles "grow up" with your kids. It is a wonderful book in my opinion.

Rebeca - posted on 02/01/2009

Yep, my daughter does as well and through the night too! I tried to feed her more during the day (so she'll eat less at night), but she just spits it up. I'm hoping once she's able to hold more down she'll be able to go longer between feedings.

Heather - posted on 02/01/2009

my daughter still eats ever 2 hrs i asked my doc and the way he explained it is unlike formula that is heavy and filling breast milk isnt like that so nothing to stress my best friend fed every 2 hrs for a year lol.... :)

Megyn - posted on 01/29/2009

My son nurses that frequently...at night. He's too busy in the day to remember to ask to be fed, and when he is nursed during the day, it's for 5 mins max.

Melanie - posted on 01/29/2009

Just wondering...is she really hungry or just likes the comfort of being at the breast? My 6 mo old daughter eats every few hours also (day and night at this point)...I'm just waiting for this growth spurt to be over ( I enjoy nursing too but it's still very time consuming)! ....best of luck...

Ashley Goss - posted on 01/29/2009

I have twins and they eat 4 times a day. First I nurse them as much as they will take, and immediatley feed them cereal with baby food. I started with greens, now on orange foods. I also have a 2 1/2 year old that eats very well now! You have to set a schedule for her, or it will really make your life difficult in a few months! I love nursing too! Snacking isn' t healthy for the little one. Babies really only need about 5 feedings a day of breast milk or formula. The food isn't their main source, but should be the suppliment until they have solids. If you try feeding her at the same time every morning, plus cereal and a fruit, then 3 to 4 hours later she should be hungry again.... For milk and food,  and If she is hungry before that , you might want to check your  milk supply and make sure she is getting enough. I am not an expert, but going by all that I have read, and my doctors advise has really helped my babies be able to sleep through the night and go for longer stretches. I hope this helps you. It is hard figuring out what works, so take lots of advise and make your own version!! Flexibility is key. Good luck

Amanda - posted on 01/28/2009

I am the same way, my daughter feeds every two hours still except at night, but she usually falls asleep after every feeding for an hour or so. I would start slowly adding 15 minutes inbetween feeding so you would wait 2 hours and 15 minutes one week then add on 10 minutes every week until you are at the time in between that you think is a good time to wait.

Mareesa - posted on 01/27/2009

I still feed every 2 hours or so. My son has started solids about 5 weeks ago.However I used to just feed on one side, but now if I can keep him interested he'll feed both sides (which takes a lot longer, but at least he's fuller). Often he's just distracted during the day time and won't stay still long enough to be completely full.

Rebecca - posted on 01/27/2009

I think babies learn to 'snack' on the breast rather than have a good 'meal' sometimes. Perhaps you could try giving her water for every second feed and see if she starts drinking more when she is given the breast. It may only take a day or two. I have been looking into routines lately and most have said to feed your baby milk every 4 hours, solids at the 2 hour mark in the middle and water if they want it at any other time.