Breastfeeding help - on demand or on a schedule?

Okay, my first official post here is a cry for help.

Pediatrician told us in the hospital that I shouldn't let Logan "snack" and try to keep him to every 3 hour schedule for BFing.

But it seems he's rooting and looking for more food every two hours or sometimes more often.

He nurses between 20-40 minutes at each session.

Do I go with the Ped? Do I feed when Logan indicates he needs it?

Am I going to lose my mind before this kid is even a week old?



He's such a good baby but I feel like I'm doing something wrong.

TIA

Re: Breastfeeding help - on demand or on a schedule?

I'm sorry but I think your pediatrician is completely wrong. Sometimes newborns can feed every 90minutes-3hrs. It can suck for you but hey they're hungry. As you establish your milk supply it will start space out a bit. Keep feeding on demand. If you find he is eating every hour then he could be using you as a human pacifier. At this point you can either offer him a pacifier or if you are worried about nipple confusion let him suck on your pinky finger(we did this for the first 2 weeks and it worked like a charm until my hand got tired and I finally caved and gave DD a binky )
Hang in there it does get easier!

Re: Breastfeeding help - on demand or on a schedule?

my boob was offered to Josh at all times. My ped said he needs to eat to grow and I won't overfeed him.

sometimes though, he was just looking to suck and would get ****** that milk was coming out, so I introduced the pacifier.

I totally did on demand, and I don't know if its right or not of me, but I treat his belly like a gas tank. I don't wait for him to be on empty if there is not going to be a gas station around
I always try and feed before we leave the house, no matter when he last ate. It buys me time in the car and shopping.

Re: Breastfeeding help - on demand or on a schedule?

My ped. told me last night that I should continue to feed on demand (DD is almost 4 weeks) and that sometimes at this age they can eat every 1.5 hours! She promised me it would ease up soon! My DD rarely goes 3 hours without a feeding...except at night or during a long nap. Good luck!

Re: Breastfeeding help - on demand or on a schedule?

I feed DS on demand

Re: Breastfeeding help - on demand or on a schedule?

Breastfed babies feed on demand. That is how you get milk supply. Your boobs regulate to how much your baby needs.

Re: Breastfeeding help - on demand or on a schedule?

Don't let the ped make you second guess what you know you should be doing. If your son seems hungry, you should feed him. You could try the pacifier if you think he just wants to suckle on something.

I never watched the clock with my DD. When she was hungry, I fed her. She eventually got onto a good feeding schedule for herself.

Re: Breastfeeding help - on demand or on a schedule?

I fed Julia whenever she was hungry.

Re: Breastfeeding help - on demand or on a schedule?

I wish my kids would have fed every three hours

I agree with everyone else!!


Congrats BTW I must have missed your announcement

Re: Breastfeeding help - on demand or on a schedule?

On demand. My pediatrician told me that I should nurse whenever she wanted it.

Re: Breastfeeding help - on demand or on a schedule?

Re: Breastfeeding help - on demand or on a schedule?

we still aren't on a strict schedule at 4 months. Some days she eats more than others, especially during a growth spurt so I let her eat when she wants. You will be able to tell soon when it out of hunger or just to soothe.

Re: Breastfeeding help - on demand or on a schedule?

congratulations! I BF on demand

Re: Breastfeeding help - on demand or on a schedule?

my DD would sometimes feed every hour....

I think it is better to feed on demand at this young age...good luck

Re: Breastfeeding help - on demand or on a schedule?

I fed on demand, but after about 20 minutes, theres nothing left and he is using you as a pacifier.

have you introduced a pacifier?

My ped actually suggested it, he said some babies just need to suck. And DS never had nipple confusion in case you are wondering.

I remember feelign like you. He would want to eat every 2 hours and then nurse for an hour. I thought I would lose my mind.

Re: Breastfeeding help - on demand or on a schedule?

I fed on demand in the beginning. Joseph was a snacker too - I felt like I was feeding him ALL OF THE TIME.

The neonatogist suggested flicking his foot to wake him up, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. Sometimes unwrapping them/undressing them will wake them up enough to finish the feeding.

Welcome!

Re: Breastfeeding help - on demand or on a schedule?

I feed on demand and I have a snacker. The lactation consultant I used said that a lot of babies nurse for the bonding time with mom as well as for nourishment. Your baby may just want that closeness with you. Cherish this time. There will be plenty of years for strict schedules.

Re: Breastfeeding help - on demand or on a schedule?

Absolutely feed on demand, when that baby was in your womb they had sustinance(sp) at all times! I am a big believer in feeding on demand until 1 (not necessarily BF'ing) Good Luck!!!

Re: Breastfeeding help - on demand or on a schedule?

I didn't read the other posts, but your Ped is dead wrong -- I get so angry when doctors give out this type of bad advice!

Feed him on cue, whenever and how long he needs to eat. It will keep you from having supply issues and keep your baby happy and healthy!

Re: Breastfeeding help - on demand or on a schedule?

On demand. My ds wasn't able to go three hours between feedings until 6 months or so. I fed when he wanted, usually around every 2 hours. I let him fall into his own routine......it takes a while for them to do it. IMO 3 hours is a long time for a bf newborn to go.

Re: Breastfeeding help - on demand or on a schedule?

use your intincts.
My ped always tells me that no one knows my child better than me.

I nurse Marianna when she is hungry. Sometimes its a 4 hr span, sometimes its only 2...but at the end of the day teh average is about every 3 hrs.

My girl friend is follwing her a$$ backwards ped and only feeds her daughter every 3 1/2 hours...the kid is screaming of hunger and she waits until that 3 1/2 hour mark.

My baby was born at 5lbs 6 oz on 1-9-07
Her baby was born at 8lbs 11 oz on 1-3-07

as of last thursday...my baby now weighs 12lbs 4oz...hers weighs, 13lbs, 2oz...I think that because her poor baby spends so much time screaming for food she is using up her engery and not gaining the weight that she should be.

Re: Breastfeeding help - on demand or on a schedule?

What he is doing is completley normal, he knows what he wants Feed him on demand or as I like to call is on cue It WILL get easier give it time You are doing great!

Re: Breastfeeding help - on demand or on a schedule?

Use your own maternal intincts. If you feel he is hungry feed him. He may just want to suck on something. Maybe a pacifier will help a little.

Good luck!

Re: Breastfeeding help - on demand or on a schedule?

I agree, I think the ped. was wrong. A newborn should be fed on demand regardless of bfing or ffing. They will cluster feed at times and sometimes, they are just hungry. Trust your instincts and feed when you think he's hungry. Plus, there is nothing wrong with him getting comfort from just s@cking to s@ck, it's a natural instinct for babies and they get comfort and pleasure from it.

Re: Breastfeeding help - on demand or on a schedule?

Another "on demand" person here- my ped told me to do it that way. She is 9 weeks and I am still feeding her that way.

I did give DD the binky earlier than recommended by the books, because one night she just wanted to suck and not eat (I had her on the breast for 30-40 minutes for 6 hours straight)