I'm curious to know how many of you breastfed on demand, or did you try to keep the baby on a schedule.
My ds is 5 weeks old and seems to want to feed every 1-1 1/2 hours. My doctor told me not to feed him before 2 hours. Did anyone experience this?
Sometimes I feel like I'm just gonna feed him whenever he's hungry....he's so content when I do this. Other times it seems like I'm feeding 24/7. I'm so confused. I need some advise.
emilain
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Re: Breastfeeding Question
No way, I fed on demand, why would you NOT feed your baby if he/she is hungry? It's not like nursing more foten will hurt the baby, plus all baby's go through different stages of growth spurts. I remember sitting in a chair every hour or 2 for the forst 8 weeks of my daughter's life, and she was a health, heavy baby, it made me proud to think I was making her so chubby and healthy!
Now.. you want to make sure you're not being used as a pacifier, make sure you hear sucking and swallowing.
michele31
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Re: Breastfeeding Question
Molly has always been feed on demand. I can't imagine making my child cry out of hunger and just tell her she has to wait another 1/2 hour because of some 'schedule' that I made up off the top of my head. Right now your body needs her to bf often because that is what is triggering the milk production.
I PROMISE it gets easier!!! The first 2 months are hard..plain and simple. You are tired and feel like a milking cow but after a few more weeks you will start to be a bit less tired and nurse a bit less often.
jpsgirl
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Re: Breastfeeding Question
I agree, after the first two months it is smooth sailing, and it is worth it!! Angela got pumped breast milk right away in addition to nursing, when she got a bottle she would go longer in between feedings. During that time, I would pump.
maria96
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Re: Breastfeeding Question
thanks for the advice. I do want to make sure I don't become a pacifier for Aiden.
How long did you nurse for in the first few months? And did you switch breasts during feedings?
Jenn524
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Re: Breastfeeding Question
My doctor told us to try to wait the 2 hour mark also, otherwise they snack more then eat and they will never get full and be up all night. We had Kiera on a schedule without a problem and she was also able to sleep through the night before she was a month old. From what I'm told it's because of her being on a schedule. Sometimes I would feed her every 1 1/2 hours, but for the most part she went at least 2 hours. After a day or 2 she adjusted and she wasn't yelling for food. And she has had no problems gaining weight, she is actually in the 75% percentile for weight. She also has such a healthy appetite that we already started her on solids.
To answer your new questions, each feeding went anywhere between 15 minutes to 45 minutes. At first I switched breasts but then I had an over abundant supply so I wound up only doing one breast each feeding and pumping the other one.
jennjohn17
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Re: Breastfeeding Question
i know how you feel. anthony ate all the time. i was feeding him every 1-1/2 hours, getting up several times a night and walking around like a zombie! my dr said the same thing as yours but how could you not feed your baby if they are hungry?? after 3 months he calmed down. i would nurse him about 15-20 minutes on each side he started sleeping threw the night at 3 months. good luck! hang in there! it does get easier! my son is no longer bf-ing and i miss it! it was such a great bond.
Nancy
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Re: Breastfeeding Question
I always fed on demand and with my girl's appetite, it could have been every hour. She also slept through the night almost immediately after birth.
This is my opinion, some babies are born hungrier than others. Some babies are born better sleepers than others. I think in part, you get, what you get.
maria96
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Re: Breastfeeding Question
Thanks for the advise. I tried putting him in a feeding schedule, but it was driving me crazy. I going to try and just feed him on demand and see how it goes.
