Feeding- On demand or schedule

And for those who say schedule....HOW do you schedule it? I would like to try to establish a daytime at least schedule. But its not happening.

DS seems to eat when he wants and sleep when he wants on an ever changing daily schedule.

Re: Feeding- On demand or schedule

I fed on demand for atleast a month, I think it was closer to two. Then I started being able to figure out how long he could go. I would feed every 3 hours, then every 4. Of course, if he seemed crazed, I would feed on demand. And I always fed on demand overnight until he started sleeping through the night. Then all nightime feedings stopped.

Re: Feeding- On demand or schedule

I think it depends on BFing or formula -- you know we don't have a schedule!! Whenever she screams basically...

Re: Feeding- On demand or schedule

I fed on a schedule but Jake put himself on the schedule. We came home from the hospital and he was eating about every 1.5 hrs and little by little he stretched out the feedings because he would sleep longer or stay awake longer before he fell asleep, etc. So he really made his own schedule. If he ever seemed hungry earlier than his scheduled feeding, we just fed him and that usually happened whenever I gave him BM. So after I stopped pumping and he was exclusively on formula (about 6 weeks old or so) his schedule became more consistent.

Re: Feeding- On demand or schedule

when they were first born their schedule was every 3 hours. If they polished off 75% of their bottles, I increased teh amount by 30cc, as per pediatrician's advice. They seemed to do well with that method and didn't get hungry in between.

Re: Feeding- On demand or schedule

on demand....after a few weeks I started writing down times that Alyson woke, ate, fell back asleep and noticed she had fallen into her own pattern/schedule.

try that and you may notice that DS has his own rhythm going as far as length of time versus clock time (ie: every 3 hrs he wakes to eat, etc)

Newborns don't have an internal biorhythm yet, so they eat/sleep when they need to versus going by a clock.

Re: Feeding- On demand or schedule

We're still on demand, but I'm hoping to get a schedule soon.

Like a PP said, I'm going to start writing down Logan's day to see if there's a pattern there I'm just not seeing at this point and try to tweak it from there.

Re: Feeding- On demand or schedule

Cadence is 2 months now and she is basically on a schedule... Every 3 hours until 10:30 at nite... and then she sleeps till 6-6:30

Re: Feeding- On demand or schedule

Tyler is a little over 7 weeks and is feeding on demand. It seems that his pattern is every 2.5-3hrs, but it isn't consistent. Sometimes he snacks all day instead of eating full meals.

Re: Feeding- On demand or schedule

Steven put himself on a schedule. Maybe if you try writing down when and how much he is eating and sleeping. Over a period of time, I'm sure you will see some sort of schedule. It doesn't have to be minute to minute, but you may see that every day between 8 and 9 he wants a bottle, and between 10 and 11, he looks for a nap, or whatever.

Also, did you read "Secrets of the Baby Wisperer"? She gives some GREAT advice on how to get a schedule established.

Re: Feeding- On demand or schedule

I did and still do feed on demand

Re: Feeding- On demand or schedule

I fed on demand for about 3 months but she did fall into somewhat of a rhythm at around a month in a half.

Re: Feeding- On demand or schedule

both.

ideally, he is on schedule to eat every 3 hours. like a clock. sometimes he is hungry at 2.5, I feed him. Sometimes he naps through it and eats at 3.5-4. If we're lucky, at night, 5 hours! I was told by the pediatritian to feed on demand...but generally, he wishes to eat every 3 hours. Basically, they didn't want me to "starve" him to 3 full hours if he wanted it at 2.5.

Re: Feeding- On demand or schedule

We fed on demand in the beginning, and they worked themselves into a schedule. But I'm a SAHM, so it's easy for me to work my day around them. I imagine that if you are going back to work the daycare centers prefer a schedule.

Re: Feeding- On demand or schedule

I fed on demand in the early months, DD kinda set her own schedule and we rolled with it, instead of forcing her on our schedules.

I figured we eat when we're hungry, we drink when we're thirsty, why should a baby be any different and not "allowed" to eat/drink til a set time.

But that's what worked for us

Re: Feeding- On demand or schedule

Posted by snuggleupagus

both.

ideally, he is on schedule to eat every 3 hours. like a clock. sometimes he is hungry at 2.5, I feed him. Sometimes he naps through it and eats at 3.5-4. If we're lucky, at night, 5 hours! I was told by the pediatritian to feed on demand...but generally, he wishes to eat every 3 hours. Basically, they didn't want me to "starve" him to 3 full hours if he wanted it at 2.5.