Feeding schedules?

BeckyP005 · August 2013

Hi. I hope it's ok to ask a question here.

My SIL has an 8 week old and I was just curious if you ladies keep a strict schedule when feeding. She is going 3 hrs by the dot not a bit before or after. It's really none of my business but like I said I'm the one who wants to know...lol. When I was a nanny back 19 yrs ago (oh and I still work for the family!) if we were...for example...doing pictures and he was fussy we would give him few minutes with a bottle. I'm thinking she is being a bit strict but what do I know since I don't have a baby yet!

Sorry this does sound silly typing this question out but I wanted to see what others did and how strict your feeding schedule is. Don't laugh at me!!!!

BTW all your babies are adorable!

TJ1979 · August 2013

Everyone does it differently. As long as LO is gaining weight and has proper diaper output, it's just a matter of what works for your family. I fed on demand until 4 months, sometimes even hourly (I breastfed.) At 4 months we switched to closer to every 3 hours but sometimes more often if she was fussy.
My cousin fed a strict every 3 hours. Both of our LOs are healthy, happy, and well adjusted.

Dragonfly1226 · August 2013

When a baby is hungry you need to feed the baby. I EBF and am not sure what a schedule for a formula fed baby looks like. We are on the EASY "schedule" (Eat, Activity, Sleep, You time). During the day I try not to let the girls go longer than about three hours between feedings. (This is mostly because I want to differentiate between day and night.) Typically they do eat about every three hours. However, if they have had a bad nap earlier and need the sleep I let them go up to four hours as long as they are both asleep. If they are hungry earlier than the three hour mark then I feed them. Babies cluster feed too when they literally eat all the time. You can have a routine but I don't see how a baby that young could be on such a strict schedule.

BeckyP005 · August 2013

I really don't have a say so on the topic...she does ask me my opinion on some stuff I was just wondering what others do! I told her the pediatrician is not god...lol. Babies are all different and what works for some might not work for her. I think she is trying to be a perfect mom and wants the sleep training to go well in the crib and everything else. She lurks on her BMB and I told her she should ask questions

Thanks ladies !

Ruthie04 · August 2013

I think it really depends on the family. I never thought I'd be so structured with my child's schedule, but it was the only way I could manage caring for two babies at the same time. Additionally, my pedi had us waking the boys every three hours to eat, but they were under five lbs at birth. I pumped while bottle feeding my boys and my babies were happy and gaining weight well. If I had been exclusively breastfeeding, it would have been different. But, with two babies, two types of formula, and breastmilk, I needed the schedule. And, my boys would wake within minutes of three hours. It was almost as if they were keeping me on schedule.

We are all different about how we run our days/ nights. I say if it works for her and her baby, then all is well.

Mrs.AmyDylan · August 2013

My DD is 7mo and I feed on demand, somewhere between 2-4 hours. I typically offer more often than she takes the boob, but we just kinda roll with the day. We bed share after first MOTN wake up, so she dines at the all night boob buffet.

8w seems a bit young to fixate on a schedule since growth spurts will require more feeding.

amandaleigh1 · August 2013

I fed on demand. I also had a reflux baby and they tend to do better with smaller frequent feedings, so that was how it was. Some days he practically cluster fed formula bottles all day.

I was not one of those carefree moms holding a sleeping happy newborn at the cafe. I was at home, sleep deprived and barely holding it together as I cleaned up pools of spit up. I think you just have to go with how your baby needs to feed. Not all babies can be scheduled, though some can.

PennyLane26 · August 2013

I actually would think if the baby is breastfed that she should be feeding more often at 8 weeks. My DD is 4 months and we still feed on demand. Sometimes she eats every 2 hours, sometimes she can go 3.5-4 hours, it just depends on the time of day and her mood.

On another note, GL with your TTC journey!

BeckyP005 · August 2013

PennyLane26 said:

I actually would think if the baby is breastfed that she should be feeding more often at 8 weeks. My DD is 4 months and we still feed on demand. Sometimes she eats every 2 hours, sometimes she can go 3.5-4 hours, it just depends on the time of day and her mood.

On another note, GL with your TTC journey!

Thanks PennyLane!! GL on #2

mnj05 · August 2013

I fed on demand for a while too, but once we started formula it turned out to be every 3 hours give or take. Now DS goes about 4 hours between since he's eating so much more at once. I'm definitely not strict, if he needs more, he needs more. I don't want to deny him and I don't want a cranky baby on my hands for an hour. Plus if he's going through a growth spurt, he will eat more often.

And good luck with your journey. Your furbabies are pretty cute themselves!

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