Breastfeeding 7 times in 24 hours and he really is hungry!

[nadja]

Hi,
I've just recently put our Son on a 3 hour EASY, which is generally working out ok, although still need to adjust a tiny bit. He is 5 months old and I know he should be moving towards a 4 hour EASY soon. Problem is that he really eats quite a lot: 8am, 11am, 2pm, 5pm, 9pm, DF 11.30pm and wakes around 4am. He is always v hungry and I know my milk supply is good (basically pours out!).
Before EASY I used to cluster feed in the evening so he actually got an extra feed then - we might even have to reintroduce a 7pm feed as he is waking earlier at night now than before EASY - and he is HUNGRY!!!
Is this normal for a 5 months old baby? I really wish we could get him off the night feed but he is showing no signs of being ready for that... and how can I introduce a 4 hour EASY if he is already so hungry?

I think in the book it says 4 daytime feeds and one nighttime feed is relatively normal for this age, so we are clearly way off!! Anyone else have a hungry baby like ours?!!

Many thanks for your advice!
Nadja

[~ Vik ~]

Actually, your routine doesn't look that bad to me TBH. Breastmilk is much more easily digested than formula, and leaves their tummies empty much sooner, so ebf babies tend to need more frequent feeds through the day and need night feeds for longer than formula fed babies. Dylan didn't make it to 4 hours until we introduced solids! Your little guy isn't feeding so frequently that he's snacking, and 1 night feed at this age is perfectly normal, so I would just keep at it and know that once you've gotten solids going your bfs will naturally stretch out

[nadja]

Thanks Vikki for your reply!

It was only really after looking at some of the sample EASY routines that I suddenly started wondering why he's eating so much as lots of babies seem to be sleeping through from 7pm! But I know he isn't snacking as he eats loads at every feed, so I'll just keep going with it.

Thanks!