Feed on demand vs. schedule

mrsH_777 · November 2009

In the beginning did you feed on demand or a rough schedule - like every 2-3 hours? DD was in NICU with jaundice for a few days, where she was mostly on a schedule, but they also fed her on demand. Now that we're home, she's sleeping through "scheduled" feedings. I'm BFing plus 1-1.5 oz formula each time to clear up jaundice and get back to birth weight.

Soap1 · November 2009

If LO was hungry, I fed him. I didn't make him wait until the scheduled feeding time. However, I did wake him to eat at least every 2.5-3 hours. I still wake him if it's been longer than 4 hours between beedings.

PrincessFiona9 · November 2009

we feed on demand..she eats about every 2-3 hours during the day, and every 4-5 hours at night.

SeaMama · November 2009

I'm still a total newb, but we are feeding on demand.

dragonsmercy · November 2009

Our DD lost too much weight in the first 3 days, so they made us go on a schedule, but she just would NOT wake up and take it!!! We force fed her all the rest of that day and the next day, and it ended up being such a hassle that now we feed her on demand more than by schedule... but if she's gone more than 4 hours without a feeding, I'll try to get her to wake up.

les&jus · November 2009

DD was a sleepy baby in her first few weeks so we had to feed on a schedule, 2 to 3 hours. I understand that a baby's blood sugar can drop if they are not regularly fed, even if they aren't requesting food. I waited until she was about 3 weeks old to feed on demand, which is what I now do. She has since set her own schedule.

MrsJenniferS · November 2009

On demand. If she's sleeping through scheduled feedings, she's not interested in being scheduled.

mandyp121 · November 2009

We woke LO every 3 hours until he was back up to birth weight.

allishags · November 2009

On demand- some days he is hungrier than others and I can't see making him scream when he is hungry...With that said, I do try and make absolutely certain that he is hungry and its not something else first...

TarheelsInNJ · November 2009

DS will often sleep through feedings, especially at night, so we're more on a 3 hour schedule. However, I will feed him earlier if he's hungry. He hasn't yet regained his birth weight so we have to be diligent about waking him up.

ncbelle · November 2009

Feed on demand, especially if you want breastfeeding to work. If you try to schedule, you can seriously hamper your milk supply.

ryry1977 · November 2009

I feed DS on demand day and night. I feel that he knows when he is hungry. His weight is good so I do not wake him for feedings either.

AutumnBride929 · November 2009

I always fed on demand which I think set me up for failure because I should have woke up DS up for feedings at first. He would sleep through feedings and I guess I figured he would wake up if he was hungry. Mmm prolly shouldn't have done that. Although my supply sucks anyway because even when I did feed him every hour he was still starving to death. I think you should feed at least every three hours (or offer it) until they get back up to birth weight. Obviously, if they want to eat before three hours has passed then you should then feed on demand at that point, too.

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