Erratic feeding times

[beckygatt]

DD is 3.5weeks. She is gaining weight very well and I have a good milk supply however her feeding is very erratic. Sometimes she will want a feed after 2 or even 1.5hrs, other times she will go 3hrs happily and has even managed a 4hr stretch a few times. This applies both night and day. I obviously want to encourage longer stretches at night time. I don't really let her go more than 3hrs during the day and I tried cluster  feeding but I don't think it made a difference.

DD1 was BF and was much more regular. And she was a smaller baby.

Any ideas ? 

[babyboy26]

Hi!  My dd was the same way for the first 5-6 weeks.  I just fed on demand and things eventually settled themselves out.  She became more of an every 3 hour feeder around 6 weeks.  Sometimes I think my dd was simply nursing for comfort, could it be that?

[tea_gurl12]

My ds is the same.  He's 5 weeks old now and I'm trying to get him onto a 3 hour routine (difficult because like your dd, his feeds are very random) but I never know if I should give him a pacifier for comfort or if he's genuinely hungry.  And not to mention I'm always wondering if he's going through a growth spurt.  He was born 3 weeks early so his adjusted age would be 2 wo... so I wonder if that plays into things too (??)

[ZacsMumme]

My DS was like that for the first 4-5 weeks and I just feed on demand. Personally I would just go with it until DS is 6 weeks or so. At this age they are still getting your supply up.

[beckygatt]

I think it was comfort feeding the first couple of weeks but now she takes a paci so I don't think its that most of the time. Last night she went from 6-11pm between feeds but the woke at 1.30 and 3.30. Would be great if she could do that long stretch while I'm sleeping too!

[Lissybits]

It's totally normal at this young age to feed every 2 hours or less. Her tummy is still so small and BM is digested roughly 90 minutes after a feed.
I would carry on feeding on demand especillay as it takes 6 weeks or so for your supply to establish.
If she does 3 or 4 hour stretches that is great

Have a look at this

http://www.lalecheleague.com/faq/frequency.html

 

[Vicku]

I agree with PPs Good link Lissy!