Is it ok to BF on a schedule?

hille12

Ds is above birth weight so I realize that at this point I can feed on demand. However, I find it just easier to feed him every 2- 3 hours during the day (of course if he is hungry before then I definitely feed him).  Am I doing any harm?  He is still really sleepy during the day, and I don't want him to go long stretches (4+ hrs) in the daytime for fear he would "make up" for feedings all night long.  Thoughts?

kswift

I did this with my DD around the 6 week mark.  I woke her up so she would eat every 3 hours during the day.  She was pretty much eating every 3 hours on her own, but if she was sleeping I would wake her up and feed her.  If she was really tired she would just put herself back to sleep after she was done feeding.  I know many people are of the opinion to not wake a sleeping baby, but I had no problem doing that since my DD went (and still does) go to sleep pretty easily.  If she was hungry earlier than 3 hours I would feed her as that usually meant she was going through a growth spurt.

I think putting her on a schedule also gave her a sense of comfort because she knew that at certain points during the day we would be doing certain things.  I also think it helped my DD to sleep through the night (she started around the 9 week mark). 

Every baby is different, what works for some people doesn't work for others.  You have to do what feels right for the both of you. 

smilelari

It's probably ok as long as you go ahead and feed LO if they are hungry before their next scheduled feed.

Personally I like to feed on demand because I feel like that teaches them hunger cues better so that as they grow up they eat because they are hungry rather than because it's time.

vanfox

If you're feeding him more often than he's demanding, that's fine. You might just be heading him off at the pass before he can start cueing you. Feeding him less often than he demands is where the problems are.