How often does your baby nurse? | ExpatWoman.com
 

How often does your baby nurse?

16
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 02 May 2012 - 17:59

These last few days I have noticed that my 4 1/2 month baby is suddenly nursing less frequently. There was a time when she needed to nurse every two hours but now she can go for as long as four hours without nursing and in fact actively resists my trying to feed her in between. Nursing sessions are also shorter than before- occasionally just 5-7 minutes. Wondering if that's just her growing up and becoming more éfficient'? She seems reasonably comfortable otherwise

297
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 03 May 2012 - 15:20
I wouldn't worry too much about your baby's nursing unless there is a change in wet/dirty diaper output and weight loss. They really do get more efficient at nursing and unless there is something wrong with them will let you know loud and clear if they are hungry. In regards of making feeding schedules for your baby: I would advise against that, because it is not necessary. I noticed something very interesting with my first round the 3-4 month mark. I had read somewhere that it would be a good thing to track down feeding times, nap times and wet and dirty diapers. So I did this for a while. And what I found out was that without me trying anything, my on demand breastfed DD had her feeds always at roughly the same times every day, without me doing anything. The same went for naps too. So all I had to do with this knowledge was to make sure that he had the oportunity to nap when her times were and to nurse when her mealtimes were. So we did end up with a schedule but I did not have to do anything, it all fell into place. And in my personal opinion an enforced schedule for feedings can lead to eating problems later in life, especially if the schedule is strictly enforced despite the baby being hungry before the "scheduled" times....
2782
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 03 May 2012 - 14:06
Thanks all... and while I completely agree that it is important not to find a norm, a part of being mothers is that we're always worried about whether our LO is getting "enough". I used to tell myself that I would be a 'cool' mom who follows her baby's cues- feeds when the baby wants to, and lets her be when the baby doesn't- whenever I saw other moms worry about their little chunky babies not eating/drinking/sleeping/talking enough . But now I fret all the time..!! Ahh well yep welcome to motherhood lol :)
16
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 03 May 2012 - 13:55
Thanks all... and while I completely agree that it is important not to find a norm, a part of being mothers is that we're always worried about whether our LO is getting "enough". I used to tell myself that I would be a 'cool' mom who follows her baby's cues- feeds when the baby wants to, and lets her be when the baby doesn't- whenever I saw other moms worry about their little chunky babies not eating/drinking/sleeping/talking enough . But now I fret all the time..!! Ahh well
2782
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 03 May 2012 - 13:16
My baby stayed on 90min feeds until he was close to 10 months, all babies are different and so are all boobs so its important not to try and fit a "norm" in terms of length of feeds or gaps between feeds.
1381
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EW OLDHAND
Latest post on 03 May 2012 - 12:49
my baby is 15 days old and has started to feed only 5 min max on one side then he sleeps for 10 min then wants again :( so my feeding time is like 1-1:30 hr once. i counted and he normally takes about 8-9 feeds a day. at night i have to nurse him once and he sleeps like an angel. only wakes up at 2'o clock to play for 2 hrs :) <em>edited by manubhadauria on 03/05/2012</em>
270
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EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 03 May 2012 - 12:22
wow I am looking forward to that. My baby is a month now and he is surgically attached to my nipple all day and night....
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EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 03 May 2012 - 09:07
My DS turns 4 months this weekend and i am spacing his feeds to 4hrly now. And yes, he feeds for 7 minutes max and he is done.
2782
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EW EXPERT
Latest post on 02 May 2012 - 21:35
A 2 hour gap and a 4 hour gap are both quite normal and they def seem to get more efficient as they get older. So long as her weight stays good (on the WHO charts, its normal that they will drop down a centile or two from this point if your Dr is incorrectly using the CDC chart) then let her nurse as she demands. I'm assuming she is still BF exclusively but if you have started solids early then its possible they are displacing breastfeeds which is not a good thing at this age.
 
 

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