How often to nurse?

BeachBlondie456 · October 2011

At our two week check yesterday we were told that LO has gained a whole pound. My dr said I can let her sleep as long as she wants at night without waking her and feed every three to four hours during the day instead of the two to three that we were doing before. Does this sound ok for a two week old? She will not get the eight feedings a day this way. I EBF and she weighs eight pounds. G TIA

LittleGus · October 2011

I've always wondered why pedi's tell moms how often to BF their babies. Mine did the same thing, but I still fed on demand and was always really concerned about the number of feedings in 24 hours. For us it wasn't until DD was around 6 that I let her go 4 hours between feedings. That seems long to me for a two week old.

shotzie · October 2011

That's great she's gaining well! I wouldn't go by the clock though. I would follow her cues and feed on demand. That's generally best for baby and your supply.

juliedooley · October 2011

I say feed on demand as well...we were told when DS was 3 weeks that we didn't have to wake him up to feed at night, but he always woke up every 3 hours anyway. I think at one point at about 6 weeks he went about 5 hours because of an extra-long nap and he was fine, but if your DD is giving hunger cues by all means feed her even if it hasn't been 3 hours! Chances are she'll wake up on her own at night to feed anyway at this age. I'm glad she's gaining well though!

CABeachMom11 · October 2011

Our pedi says feed on demand... I would be more concerned if your DD was losing or not gaining weight

ejagk · October 2011

We were told that once the baby reaches their birth weight that we didn't need to wake her up any longer or keep to a set schedule during the day. We've been feeding on demand since she was a week old because of this, so some days we have more feedings than others. As long as your LO is gaining weight, you're good to go!

BeachBlondie456 · October 2011

Last night she slept for five hours nursed then slept for another four. I feel bad letting her sleep that long! She's so little to not get hungry. Also she is only awake for about 45 minutes a day minus nursing and always falls asleep on the second breast. Is this normal? Would she cry if she was hungry?

shotzie · October 2011

LBD129:
Last night she slept for five hours nursed then slept for another four. I feel bad letting her sleep that long! She's so little to not get hungry. Also she is only awake for about 45 minutes a day minus nursing and always falls asleep on the second breast. Is this normal? Would she cry if she was hungry?

If you're not comfortable letting her sleep that long, you can always wake her up at the 3 or 4 hour mark. Newborns are sleepy creatures, she'll have more awake time as time goes on. Right now, it's normal for her to eat, sleep, and poop, and that's it.

Sounds like she's doing fine, but just do what you're comfortable with.

lanbob · October 2011

My pedi told me the same thing. At night i let Man wake me up but during the day i woke him every two hrs.

chayer227 · October 2011

ejagk:
We were told that once the baby reaches their birth weight that we didn't need to wake her up any longer or keep to a set schedule during the day. We've been feeding on demand since she was a week old because of this, so some days we have more feedings than others. As long as your LO is gaining weight, you're good to go!

This exactly. When baby is hungry, you'll know it! As long as LO is continuing to gain, let her sleep. Sleep is important for growing too.

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