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Still feeding on demand at 8+ weeks?

marijaa333marijaa333 member
edited July 2015 in May 2015 Moms
Is anyone still feeding on demand? I keep reading about May babies on a schedule, while mine still feeds every couple of hours (sometimes more often) during the day, and cluster feeds for 2-3 hours in the evening. He sleeps through the night except he wakes to eat (he does that quickly and goes right back to sleep). He also naps a lot during the day, so we're basically cycling through sleep-eat-some awake time (enough for a bit of tummy time or a tour of the apartment to look out the window and point out some objects). The cycle time is approximately 2-3 hours (1+ hour nap, 30-40 minute feed, 1 hour awake). I can't imagine not allowing him to eat when he's hungry; he screams and then sucks very convincingly, and then just as convincingly decides he's done (or passes out). He's gaining well, smiles, makes eye contact, does well at tummy time, etc. Am I doing it wrong?
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Re: Still feeding on demand at 8+ weeks?

  • shelles423shelles423 member
    That sounds like us almost exactly. I don't think there's anything wrong with letting them eat when hungry. We tried to force a schedule on her and it was a disaster. I don't plan on trying to get her on a schedule again until she's at least 12 weeks.
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  • CordeliaD87CordeliaD87 member
    I have not tried to put my LO on a schedule. I feed on demand. 10 wks here. He does feed around the same times day and night tho. Maybe I got lucky and he made his own schedule that works for me.
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  • stephv18stephv18 member
    We aren't on a schedule either! My little girl is 10+ weeks. We just started 4oz every 3 hours and she is the one who told us she was ready for more at a time with longer time in between! She does seem to eat around the same times every day. The only schedule we have is bed time and she already lets us know when it's time! I wouldn't worry about it, maybe in a few weeks. Honestly I would have no idea how to even start!
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  • mars8kmars8k member
    DD is 10 weeks and i still feed on demand, she doesn't do well with a pcifier so i made peace with the fact that she could be nursinf cause she needs to comfort suck.
    I'm EBF so i'm not worried about over feeding and i just think some babies do better on a schedule than others, if i don't feed her and decide to wait i feel like i'm starving her or denying her the security she's crying for, i couldn't live with myself.
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  • justkeeptryingjustkeeptrying member
    edited July 2015
    Agreed with PPs. DS is 8 weeks and we are still feeding on demand but DS does tend to stick to somewhat of a schedule give or take half hour. If we go for a long walk then I know he will want to nurse when we get home no matter when we last ate. And I don't blame him - it's hot outside and he gets thirsty!!

    I'm curious if any STM's recall when their LO started feeding on a consistent schedule? Or am I dreaming that this will ever be the case?
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  • stephv18stephv18 member
    @chambersbaby2015 you should do a new post with that question! It would be interesting to hear also!'
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  • justkeeptryingjustkeeptrying member
    Will do!
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  • marijaa333marijaa333 member
    Phew, so glad to know we're not the only ones! And I'd love to know when to expect longer stretches between feedings too, @chabersbaby2015!
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  • justkeeptryingjustkeeptrying member
    I've made a thread about it. See STM+ Feeding Question!
    I think knowing this will be encouraging - right now I feel like all my time spent with DS is him on my boob or rocking him to sleep.
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  • Knottie76365376Knottie76365376 member
    We are in the same boat, still feeding on demand at eight weeks. I remember being more concerned about scheduling with my first. And now with my second I am just loving the cuddles and feeds because they don't last forever!
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  • danibonellodanibonello member
    I still bottle feed on demand at 8+ weeks... I can't imagine doing it any other way. My LO is a "picky" eater... sometimes she only wants an ounce, sometimes she wants 4. I wish I could breastfeed... all of the wasted pumped milk and formula stress me out... I wish she was a bit more predictable!
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  • Curlygirl84Curlygirl84 member
    edited July 2015
    There's a lot of research suggesting that having a strict schedule too early (before 3 months-ish) and not answering their hunger or sleep or other cues can do long term damage. The early weeks are about teaching baby that moma and dad will respond to his/her needs.

    That being said, I think at some point (maybe?!) babies become more routine and are more amenable to a schedule.
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  • MrsElizabethPlanoMrsElizabethPlano member
    When a baby is this young I do everything on demand, feed them, soothe them to sleep, play, quiet time, clean....everything. It's not like babies cry for the fun of it, they want you or need something. I'm letting her fussiness go on a bit longer to encourage self soothing, but i'm right there when it turns into a cry. In another 2 months I'll let the crying go on for a bit to see if she soothes herself.
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  • HeatherC21HeatherC21 member
    I pretty much let my LO dictate the schedule. She is 8 weeks, but I am also not planning on going back to work so I don't really have to worry about daycare or sitter schedule. She is also ebf and I don't really like to let her go past 3 hrs in between feeds so I wake her up if she is napping but if she's awake she wants to eat before the 3hr mark anyway lol. The only reason I wake her up is because she sleeps 7+ hrs a night and I think she needs the feeds during the day.
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  • morgansWed105148morgansWed105148 member
    8 weeks and on demand, but it's usually around the same time everyday.
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  • Kae42Kae42 member
    We're doing on demand as well! I'm s big believer in the "fourth trimester" when baby really needs mom to meet her/his requirements physiologically. I'm not worrying about a schedule until after that point.
    Some babies create their own loose "schedule" but others are all over the place. As long as our kids are healthy and growing then ultimately we're doing the right thing as parents!
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  • erin79erin79 member
    chambersbaby2015 said:
     right now I feel like all my time spent with DS is him on my boob or rocking him to sleep.
    This is true, and this is normal.  Normal normal normal. I responded to your other post, but just wanted to pipe in here as well.  I remember what it was like with my first, worrying that I was doing something wrong, and would have a baby attached to me for all eternity.  It gets better.
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  • MrsS728MrsS728 member
    10 weeks and feeding on demand, but LO is pretty regular with her feedings. 
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  • kristaelaine86kristaelaine86 member
    7 weeks and feeding on demand. With my older DD, I always fed on demand.She kind of worked herself into somewhat of a regular schedule but every day could be different.
    My newborn sleeps from 1030-530, but she definitely cluster feeds in the evening. Since she started sleeping through the night she eats every two hours during the day now roughly, with the exception of maybe one longer napping stretch. She's exclusively breastfed I should mention.
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