Will feedings too far apart affect supply?

maramarrie

My LO is already sleeping longer stretches at night and during the day. For the last 3 days he's only had about 7 feedings. Should I force him to wake up and feed a little more often so my supply doesn't dwindle? He is now going at least 3 hours between feedings, sometimes 4.5 hours between them (night time) from start to start. I'm worried this will cause my supply to suffer since it's so early on (he's only 9 days old). Does anyone know for sure? I've looked in book after book and can't figure out if this is going to be ok. I'm also starting to pump one bottle a day to store up, so this may help?

Any LC on this board?

QueSara74

I'm not an LC, but this is not normal 9-day-old behavior. Most babies will eat at least 8 to 10 times a day for the first 12 weeks. And, yes, if your little one isn't, it WILL affect your supply. I'm not an expert, but I suspect the reason he's sleeping so much is because he's not getting enough nourishment. If I were you'd I'd try waking him every 90 minutes to 2 hours to nurse.

 

The pumping will help your supply, but nursing will be better for both of you.

susiederkins

Has he reached his birth weight? Until he does, wake him a minimum every 3 hours to eat. Once he reaches birth weight, let him take a longer stretch of sleep at night and just wake him every 2-3 hours during the day.

maramarrie

yes, he has reached his birth weight. At 7 days he was 4 oz. over his birth weight; 12 oz. over his discharge weight at 3 days old. The pedi was happy with his progress and thinks things are great. I'm not concerned that he isn't getting enough, just that his feeding in wider stretches will affect the supply I have for him.

tmp-214118062502913

My DD was the same - pedi happy with her progress, she told me to let her feed on demand and if she slept up to 5 hours take it as a blessing for our sanity and parental health.

She is now over 2 months old, and supply has never dwindled to below what she has needed.  Sometimes it's 2 hours between feedings, sometimes it is 6.  I even pump at work and bring home more than what she consumes during the time I am away.