When to start feeding on demand?

mom2binKC

DS has been a super sleepy baby, so I have been waking him for most feedings -- day and night (about every 2.5 - 3 hours).  Occasionally he wakes prior to the 3-hour mark, and obviously I feed him then.  He does tend to cluster feed in the evenings, so I'm not having to wake him then.

Just wondering when you started waiting until LO was waking on his/her own to BF?  I admit last night I went one 4-hour stretch, b/c at the prior feeding he nursed non-stop for over an hour, and I was so tired.  I still had to wake him at the 4-hour mark -- he was still conked out.  Sometimes I wonder just how long he would sleep if I let him!  But I know I still need to wake him, for his sake and for my supply's sake.

At what point were you feeding entirely on demand?

amber&patrick

I'm not there yet and I'm sort of wondering the same thing (for my supply's sake).  However, a LC told me that you could switch to demand feeding once the baby is 1 lb over his/her birth weight.  We just got there today.  However, I'm still not sure if it's too early to switch to demand feeding and still maintain my supply.  I suspect DS would only want to eat every 4-5 hours other than the evenings (when he cluster feeds).

juniper19

At night you can let them sleep as long as they want once they regain their birthweight.  During the day you should continue nurse every two to three hours to make sure they aren't getting their days and nights mixed up.

LydiaE2

So I fed on demand from day 1.  Ds typically nursed about 12 times per day till about 7 months or so.  Once baby reaches birth weight you can stop waking them to feed at night.  

I personally think that on demand feeding would maintain a supply better than scheduled feedings.   

CJ2008

At her one week appt (actually 6 days) she had reached her birthweight and the Pedi said we no longer needed to wake her. Since then we've been feeding on demand and she's gained 2lbs 6oz in only 4 weeks, so she is eating plenty!!