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Feeding every hour (how long?)

D&D4Ever7D&D4Ever7
in Breastfeeding

I feel like DS has been in a growth spurt since 4 wks.  He is almost 10 wks now. Everyone keeps telling me that he should eventually go to 2 hr stretch for eating, but no.  He still eats every hour when he is awake.  He sleeps for 6 hr stretch of sleep followed by two 2 hr stretches and he takes a 3 hr nap during the day.  I am guessing he is eating a lot to make up for the time he is sleeping.  Please tell me an honest answer so I can prepare myself for it.  With a feeding every hour, it is very difficult to go out to do anything.

BFP 1: 08Aug10, EDD: 14Apr11, D&E 11Sep10 BFP 2: 29Jan11, EDD: 12Oct11, DS born 07Oct11!!! Image and video hosting by TinyPic Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
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Re: Feeding every hour (how long?)

  • utlawgirlutlawgirl member
    imageAmyG*:

    well if he's sleeping 6 hrs, plus 2 x 2 hours, plus 3 hrs = 13 hours ish?

    so that means he needs to fit in 8-10 feedings a day in 11 hours. 

    that's honestly what it's going to take for him to grow and thrive.

     

    Now there is a few things you can do to try to get larger feeds so maybe he'll drop to 6-8 feeds, but he's pretty young still to do that.

    like use breast compression and massage to help speed the flow of milk when the milk flows, get a bit more milk and a bit more hindmilk into him so he gets more calories so maybe he'll skip a feeding here or there or go a little longer between feeds,

    nurse primarily on one side so he gets plenty of hindmilk, give him the 1st side as long as possible, and then burp and offer the 2nd side as dessert.

    I might even limit the length of daytime sleeping to get extra feeds in him.  maybe.  maybe not.

     

    This is great advice. I don't think I would limit his daytime sleeping unless night sleep becomes a serious issue, but that doesn't sound like it's an issue for you.

    He will go to 2-hour stretches eventually, especially if you follow some of the advice the PP gave. I felt like Nora was on a 2-hour stretch forever, but then all of a sudden she dropped feedings and went to where she was fine going 4 hours in between. Change can be pretty sudden like that.

    For the immediate term, maybe think about getting a nursing cover, or learning to nurse in a sling, so you have some more flexibility to get out and about if you're uncomfortable with NIP. Good luck!

      norathe girlsamelia
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  • eric and jesseric and jess

    Yes.

    I used to nurse in the moby or bjorn when I was out.  LO was facing me in the carrier... I would just slide out of my v-neck top and let him nurse.  Just an idea.  Good luck!

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