Question about feeding on demand...

stefsaut · February 2009

My DS is 2.5 weeks old, and I have been feeding him every 2-3 hours to establish my supply (as well as any other time he wants to eat in between these feeds). Since I am feeding every two hours, alot of times I am waking him up to feed.

Once he reaches 3 or 4 weeks, I plan on losing the schedule and only feeding him whenever he wants to eat. Is this what most people do once their supply is established? Is there any reason I should keep some sort of schedule or can I simply feed on demand? TIA!

ncbelle · February 2009

From everything I've read, feeding on demand is better than trying to schedule. That's what we do and so far so good!

lilysmom1015 · February 2009

Once he has gotten back to his birth weight and seems to be gaining weight alright, you really don't need to wake him to feed. I mean I probably wouldnt let him go for 8 hours without nursing, but it is unlikely that a baby that young would sleep for 8 hours without waking to eat.

Angela814 · February 2009

I fed on demand from the start, but demand for DD was every 1-1.5 hours during the day. She was nursing constantly until about 2 months.

DD didn't fall into a routine until we started daycare at 3 months.

daisyterp · February 2009

I fed on demand from the start- it varied a bit, especially in the beginning, and then there were the days of cluster feeding, growth spurts, etc. However she did start STTN @ 6 weeks (it ended around 5.5 months when she started teething however.)

niceneese · February 2009

We never woke DS to feed but I know most pedis will tell you that you can stop waking to feed once your LO has reached their birth weight. Your supply should be pretty well established by 2.5 weeks old.

SeaSoul · February 2009

We only woke DS to feed for the first couple of days before my milk came in, to practice BFing with the colostrum (per nurse instruction). To be honest, we actually forgot a few times while in the hosp and he went for several hours without feeding! But none worse for the wear! He's been feeding on demand ever since.

TheSniglet · February 2009

my little guy started taing a 4 hour nap in the middle of the day (long ater reaching his birth weight) I let him slepe and my supply tanked and he had inaddequaete weight gain so I woudl only let him sleep at ngiht. Durig hte day I would not let him go more than three hours w/o eating and other than that just feed him whenever he wants to eat- no need to keep a schedule : )