2 hour feeding schedule

[Jcoul]

Hi there,

I started easy with my baby many weeks ago -he is now 3 months and sleeping 12 hours through the night.

Through the day he wants to feed almost every 2 hours (I always check to see if there is something else he needs - diaper, hug, no stimulation, stimulation, etc., depending on what kind of activity he was engaged in before the 2 hour cycle).

I have been allowing him to feed every two hours (plus every hour from 5 - 7 his bed time) because he is only getting 8 feedings in because he sleeps so long through the night.

is he playing catch up through the day or should I be implementing some strategies to get him to go longer?  What strategies would you recommend?

Thanks,
Jen

[EllenS]

Hard to say, if he is BF I'd say yes, probably it is catch up. Baby's BF needs can vary widely based on their metabolism, and there's only so much stretching you can do based on your own milk production - you will make enough for baby in a 24 hour period, but you can't expect to have each feed be a uniform amount, it's completely individual.

However, I don't see how it could hurt to experiment with stretching the feed intervals, say 15 minutes at a time, then if he tolerates that you can up it to 30 after a few days, etc.  Worst case scenario, he starts waking for night feeds and you have your answer, you can go back to the way it was before with no permanent damage - he will not starve himself.

[* Paula *]

I agree with PP.

I would experiment a bit, and see if you can extend feeds by say 15 mins every 3 days and see how your lo goes.

You can then slowly move to a 3 hourly routine.  When your lo feeds 3 hourly, they will generally take in a bigger feed.  It is definitley worth a try to see how your lo does.

Good luck, keep us posted on how you get on.