Moms on Call Method Question

jennrooney28@gmail.com

We are going to follow the moms on call method for sleeping which I've gotten great reviews from other moms for but I'll be going back to work at 3 months.  The typical days fgor that period start with a feed at 7am I have to drop the baby off at daycare at 6:15am, do you think its better to feed before daycare and have them up earlier or try to have them hold out till 7pm to feed even though they'll have to get up at 5:50am?

MommyAmes2

I have never heard of this, what is it? I tried googling and I just get the book.

BelhurstBride

I've also never heard of it. 

If you're planning on BFing it's really best to feed on demand, not according to a schedule. Though most babies do eventually set their own, predictable schedule. 

I imagine regardless of what an infant is fed, there's no not feeding a screaming 3 month old at whatever time it is when they decide they want to eat. 

tokenhoser

Any method that tells you not to feed a newborn on demand is a recipe for Failure to Thrive.

MommyAmes2

tokenhoser:

Any method that tells you not to feed a newborn on demand is a recipe for Failure to Thrive.

Agree with this.

If this is what "Mom's on call method," is... Then good luck, because it isn't going to work! When my baby is hungry, my baby eats.

mommabmb

We're going to try the CHERISH method. It's a combo of timing and feeding on demand. I realize it might not work, but I need a goal/place to start. Sounds like that is where you are, too. I say it's always better to feed first thing. I imagine after a night of rest, baby is HUNGRY. Good luck! Even if it is just us FTMs that have hope it will work... I'll be right there with ya!

silvercamaro77

Don't confuse setting a routine with setting a feeding schedule. On a schedule you say I will only feed baby at 6, 9, 12, etc. No matter what you only feed baby at those times.

A routine will likely evolve to look like a schedule but you don't hold hard and fast to times. For example on Monday you get up at 6 and nurse. Baby wants to eat right before drop off at 7 so you nurse again. Baby gets hungry at 8:30 and gets pumped milk. On Tuesday baby nurses at 6 skips 7 and wants to eat at 8 and so gets a pumped bottle.

I've never heard of the method you asked about so can't comment specifically but if it helps set your routine then it will probably help. If it calls for setting a schedule I'd keep looking.

silvercamaro77

Also, I personally preferred to nurse at daycare right before leaving to try to reset DDs timer and push off her first bottle off a little. It didn't always work but it made me feel better that I tried. Pumping is so much more work than nursing.

ScarletOflaherty

Feed baby when baby is hungry. No 'method' needed. I swear new moms over-think this stuff to death.

RoosterMemphis

somebodysmama21:

ScarletOflaherty:

Feed baby when baby is hungry. No 'method' needed. I swear new moms over-think this stuff to death.

 

agreed. I'm a new mom and I'm annoyed by the over thinking that other women do.  What happened to keeping it simple?

mommabmb

I'm not sure that's a fair evaluation to assume FTMs are overthinking. I'm sure we overthink a lot of things. But, for example for us, I work full time and only get a few weeks off before going back. If I get a full 6 weeks, that will be amazing. With such a tight time to establish a routine, I need to make sure I at least try to organize the day for my caregivers. . . it might be overthinking, but when you have NO idea what you're doing, you have to start somewhere! I agree with OP that a plan, even if it fails, is better than none.

tokenhoser

mommabmb:

I'm not sure that's a fair evaluation to assume FTMs are overthinking. I'm sure we overthink a lot of things. But, for example for us, I work full time and only get a few weeks off before going back. If I get a full 6 weeks, that will be amazing. With such a tight time to establish a routine, I need to make sure I at least try to organize the day for my caregivers. . . it might be overthinking, but when you have NO idea what you're doing, you have to start somewhere! I agree with OP that a plan, even if it fails, is better than none.

No, any good caregiver will respond to your newborn's cues. They will not force a newborn onto a schedule for their own convenience. Put your baby's needs first and your caregiver's second.

mrs.JL

While I agree to feed when hungry within the first month you can establish a routine. Expect to feed every two hours apart then slowly increase it, with the exceptions of growth spurts.

lauran82

I find it a bit offensive the way people are calling out "new moms" on this thread. I am a new mom planning on going back to work. Anything that will make my life easier and my baby happy, I'm willing to consider. If that means I'm "over thinking" things, oh well. We are new. We need encouragement and KIND advice...not to jump all over this new mom's method she's like to try.

You do what is best for you and your child. Don't let people's opinions hinder what you want to try. If it doesn't work, it doesn't work! No big deal! I'm going to try for a schedule with my daughter because I'll be a better teacher and I know I'll be a better mom if I have set amounts of sleep. I have no husband to help he's deployed, so it'll be up to me.

We new moms will find out by trial and error, just like all the vet moms have on here. But there is no harm in TRYING methods that will accommodate our lifestyles.

BelhurstBride

lauran82:

I find it a bit offensive the way people are calling out "new moms" on this thread. I am a new mom planning on going back to work. Anything that will make my life easier and my baby happy, I'm willing to consider. If that means I'm "over thinking" things, oh well.

Did you read the responses? Because this:

"It is a baby you can't plan with them, the sooner you learn this, the better." 

is spot on. You really need to get over the idea of accommodating your lifestyle. Learning to accommodate baby will make things so much less stressful for you. Trust. 

tokenhoser

lauran82:

I find it a bit offensive the way people are calling out "new moms" on this thread. I am a new mom planning on going back to work. Anything that will make my life easier and my baby happy, I'm willing to consider. If that means I'm "over thinking" things, oh well. We are new. We need encouragement and KIND advice...not to jump all over this new mom's method she's like to try. You do what is best for you and your child. Don't let people's opinions hinder what you want to try. If it doesn't work, it doesn't work! No big deal! I'm going to try for a schedule with my daughter because I'll be a better teacher and I know I'll be a better mom if I have set amounts of sleep. I have no husband to help he's deployed, so it'll be up to me. We new moms will find out by trial and error, just like all the vet moms have on here. But there is no harm in TRYING methods that will accommodate our lifestyles.

Actually, "failure to thrive" is the harm in trying these methods.

It means you've starved your baby to follow a book. And it really happens, especially with these plans that have religious overtones (so if you fail, you're letting your baby down and God, too). 

ajgottach

I just came across this post...of course it's months later. You people are crazy if you think these methods are to starve your child! I haven't heard anyone say they had a bad experience with moms on call. It isn't just a book, it is a concept, yes, to get a routine going. This is not to be confused with a feeding schedule. These mothers, and pediatric nurses of 20 plus years actually come into your home as well, if you choose to do so, and teach you, and help with routine. They teach about giving a bath, swaddling, etc.
the routine at night time helps give them stability to feel more comfortable...and eventually they start eating at the same times, sleeping as well. Growth spurts, being sick, etc are of course going to be different. It helps them soothe.
People are on here, asking for advice and encouragement...and instead you have people bashing her and telling her that things aren't going to work. You don't know her baby or her plan. It makes me sick to even think that a site made for this is has lost it's way and these other women sit and talk about new mothers and our concern.
Over thinking is much better than not giving a crap I would think. They just want what is best for their babies, and obviously reaching out to the wrong people, shown here. What help you were...
I started a routine with my baby, doing the same thing every night. Gradually he slept way better and consistently wakes up at the same times. It isn't an overnight starve your baby concept. My baby is EBF(after a 9 week battle of pumping, latching issues) and he wakes up at exactly 3 am every night and I nurse him, put him back down and he is up at 7 every morning.
I don't work but could see how this would be great for mom and baby if the mother is working.
I didn't have consults come in like you can do with moms on call, I fact I didn't even read the book, but did some quick research and action on it and had advice from moms that had success with it. I have a baby who has been fussy and I have found he is so much more content when taking routine naps. I don't have specific times he nurses every day...I feed him when he is hungry. It just happens that they even out and become consistent when working with the same routine. He has created it on his own with my help.
People need positive reinforcement instead of others breaking them down in a time of need. Stick to your guns and do what feels right!!!

kwrecks

Ffrey1119

Ya agreed with pp feed on demand. I knew when committing to breast feed I was going to have to feed this little baby on demand. This mean dropping everything to make sure my baby isn't hungry.
Lo and my other children come first, especially when it comes to food, when choosing breast feeding it's very demanding but it's nothing you did know before doing it right?

1078

I love the Moms on Call books! I have been doing the typical day routines since two weeks and have a happy, thriving baby. I would adjust the suggested times to something that works better for your family. For example, my baby is sleeping until 7:30/8, so I am pushing back the suggested times an hour. If you haven't read it or heard of it, I encourage you to check it out before you have an unfavorable opinion. LO has never been forced to go hungry and this is what works for our family.

CaliforniaDream87

Dude, here we go with the "FTM" vs. "experienced mom" debate. This has nothing to do with "FTM's" and everything to do with how one chooses to feed their child.

kill1981

We did and do use the moms on call schedule suggestions. I love it and so does my mom and sister who are his care givers. In my opinion it is a schedule that helps with sleeping and napping. Being a first time mom I was getting confused with "I'm hungry" signals Vs. "I'm tired" signals. My baby was gaining consistently 2.5 ozs a day for the 1 month and 2 month drs appointment. But not really getting great sleep. The dr said it was a mix of age and being over tired. The moms on call helped me with how much sleep they really need, good sleep not sleeping in the car or swing sleep. So I downloaded the app that helps with your schedule reminders. He actually worked really well the the schedule and after a few days fell into the schedule almost to the T. I never didn't feed him when he was hungry and he never suffered in weight gain. now he eats between 6-7am depending on when he wakes up. He naps from right after to about 9-9:30. Then up for about a half hour happy as can be and then eats about 10:30. Then back down for nap (this one usually in the car during errands) then back home by 1:30 to eat and tummy time. Then down to sleep by 2 to 4:30 and eating at 5. I pick him up about 5:30 and he sleeps on the way home. When we get home he either goes back to sleep or hangs in the swing til night time routine starts at 7:30 where we do bath, boob, book and bed by 9. He then gets up one time between 2-3. I think the moms on call is a great tool and you can move the schedule around to make sense for you. Not because I am a FTM I used it but because I am a very scheduled organized person in my own life and I felt it helped me with the crazyness of a new borns schedule. I never withheld food at all.

To answer your original question I would feed him before you left for day care. Another good thing is that gets rid of one feeding LO would need pumped milk for. It works out for us that way because he then falls asleep on the way to my moms and then goes right to sleep then in the pack in play when we get there until his first usual feeding at around 10:30.

Sorry this is really long but another advantage is that the schedule suggests only napping for 2.5 hours tops. We started waking him after long naps after the dr also suggested it and that is when he started sleeping great at night. I love moms on call. If you are going to use it get the app. I know from friends experience that having a routine/schedule not only helps you but also helps the baby and will be helpful through their young lives.

girlmama83

@kwrecks

Perfect.

girlmama83

For the record, I follow this method called the feed your baby when she's hungry method.

It works like a charm.

BelhurstBride

suchgreatheights324 said:

I just want to add that I HATE when people pull up old threads to try to start drama. You're on my shitlist, @ajgottach. Also, who are you? Did you show up just to complain? I'm mobile so I can't see any other threads you've commented on.

And it's her one and only post.

girlmama83

HauntedRadio said:

lindsey61811 said:

For the record, I follow this method called the feed your baby when she's hungry method.

It works like a charm.

You should write a book!

Seriously. With the shit I see some people say they've bought to train their babies, I could probably make millions.