when did you begin a feeding schedule?

bigObelly · April 2009

I hear so many people have their babies on schedules and wonder when it starts...right now I let her dictate the schedule. Sometimes she'll eat every 3 hours-sometimes ever 1 1/2 or 2...(I feel like she's so tiny that I need to feed when she's screaming and rooting-shes 5 lb 2 oz). Taking this approach makes it hard with dr appointments and such because there's little predictability. So I was wondering...

When did you start a schedule with your baby?

How did you implement it?

Thanks for sharing!

**also posted on babies 0-6months

susiederkins · April 2009

Your baby is too little to be on a schedule. At that point, you feed on demand (or, if weight gain is a concern, you might need to wake them up to eat).

If she's rooting, she wants to eat. Crying is a very late stage hunger cue. Look for rooting, trying to eat her hands, mouthing...all hunger cues.

As time goes on, she'll get more predictable, but you should still feed on demand.

14years · April 2009

We have never been on a schedule. We still feed on demand, and it's actually worked out pretty well.

Your DD is way, way, way too young for a schedule, even if you eventually want to try it. She needs to eat so much and nursing on demand is critical for her growth and your supply. You can't really schedule anything around it. I know it sounds hard, but just be prepared to feed her whenever she's hungry for a long while. Make your appointment and plans, but keep your cover up with you and be ready to nurse her whenever she's hungry. When DS was that little, I would even pull over on the way to and from places like doctors' appointments because he would get hungry when I wasn't expecting it.

It will get better when she gets bigger and can go longer between feedings. But you're just going to have to go with it for a while! Good luck!

bigObelly · April 2009

i felt like i was failing bc we don't have a schedule and so many other people seem to-i'm thankful i'm not alone!

thank you ladies!

Emcat1980@yahoo.com · April 2009

Hi! My son is 5 wks old and he is the same way as your daughter. He sometimes wants to eat every 90 min and sometimes every 3 hrs. He was born @ 36 wks and was soooo sleepy and weak at first. He lost a lot of weight and was jaundiced, so we fed him constantly for the first few weeks (having to wake him up a lot initially). As he grew and gained well, he fell into a slightly more regular pattern of every 2-3 hrs, but at least once or twice a day it's a shorter stretch than that (90 min or so). He has gone through what seemed to be 2 growth spurts so far, each lasting about 24-36 hrs, wanting to eat every 60-90 min (miserable!). I read Baby Whisperer and as great as that schedule sounds, I do think both our babes are too small for that. Feed on demand is the way to go. As they get bigger and stronger they'll be more efficient and able to "tank up" more at each feeding, and go longer b/w feeds. They'll get themselves on more of a routine as they age, b/c I already see my son trending that way. The first weeks are rough b/c they are constantly nursing, but it'll help you establish a great supply (and bond w/ baby). You are doing great, mama. Keep it up!

Angela814 · April 2009

We got into a good routine within a month of starting daycare. DD started daycare at 3 months. Really, it was just a necessity for her there since there were 8 babies and 2 DCP. I don't know if she would have fallen into a schedule that early otherwise.

mjcleve · April 2009

I never started a feeding schedule. Your baby will start their own schedule eventually. Follow your LO's lead.

julyjennifer · April 2009

Schedule schmedule!

I echo the PPs sentiments. Follow her cues and feed on demand, and you'll be doing right by her.

Keep up the great work. This is your season to breastfeed. Enjoy this special time and don't worry about schedules. Eventually you'll probably get towards a "routine" as she gets older, but feeding schedules are not necessary for the breastfed newborn, IMO.

blondie75 · April 2009

I agree with the pp, 3 weeks is way too young to start thinking about a schedule - feed on demand, but make sure it at least every 2-3 hours at this point. My DD is almost 1 year old and we're still not on a true "schedule," although we do have a routine- which basically works out to nursing every 3.5 hours or so, in addition to the solids that she eats.

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