Does my 12 week old need to stretch times between feedings?

[emilyr]

We have been struggling struggling struggling with breastfeeding and I have been trying so hard to sort it out. I think we have solved most of the problems, but I am still finding my little guy is resistant to several feedings during the day.  At those times I think he is either too tired to eat (he does not find breastfeeding relaxing - probably b/c I have forceful letdown) or maybe he is not yet hungry? I feed him every three hours - he will not eat more frequently than that, but I am wondering if I need to stretch that time out.  He sometimes acts hungry at the 3 hour mark, sometimes not, sometimes he acts hungry and will not eat.  But we have been fighting the 45 min nap so he is frequently tired - could be that I think he is acting hungry, but he really just wants to suck b/c he is tired.  I don't know - it is so confusing.  He ssems so young to be going longer than 3 hrs between feeds, but maybe he needs to in order to be properly hungry.  Anyone else's 12 week old go longer than 3 hrs between breast feedings? Or any other advice for me?

[Samuel's mum]

Can you post your current routine Emily. Do you use EASY currently?
Some 12 week old do go longer than 3hrs but many don't. Hopefully we can find a balance right for you. It's not unusual for intervals (and EASYs) to vary in length during the day.

Can you describe your letdown situation? Is he very uncomfortable? That might be why he is resisting feeding. Does he not want to eat from the beginning of a feed or get unhappy after a few sucks? Have you been given any advice to deal with your letdown?

[lisi's mum]

Norah's 13 weeks and I could be writing your post!

I have a very forceful letdown, she can't comfort nurse at all and if she's tired she just gets overwhelmed by the flow. She has rather a love hate relationship with the breast and if she's not very hungry would prefer to go without. I have found that moving towards 4 hour feeds has helped alot. Where as previously I may have tried to feed her anywhere from 2.5 hours onwards if a nap was getting close I now try to get as close to 4 as possible, but feeding instantly if she shows she's hungry. This has produced much les bobbing and clicking as she actually wants to get the milk out so latches better, longer feeds and less crying. I have noticed that as the day goes on the feeding intervals get closer together. I should add though, it hasn't made my letdown any less strong.

It works for us!

[emilyr]

Thanks for your input guys.  Interesting Lisi's Mum that your babe does the same thing.  Yes - maybe I will try stretching it out.  In answer to the questions, we have been doing easy, but lately b/c of the difficult feedings and me wanting to try to maintain my supply by feeding him whenever he will eat, and the 45 min. nap problem, I try to just maintain the pattern of eat, awake, sleep.  We just can't seem to get a regular pattern given the challenges.  He is more able to handle the letdown now that he is older, but he sometimes resists feeding right off the bat, sometimes after a few minutes.  I hope we get this sorted soon - it is so stressful.  Lisi's Mum - did you find that stretching feedings has affected night feeds at all? My other issue is that while my son used to be able to go 5-6 hrs pretty regularly at night he now will usually not go more than 4.  I think it may be that he is not eating enough during the day b/c he is resisting feeds.  Hmmm...

[lisi's mum]

I haven't found much difference inthe nights to be honest, but they don't really have much of a pattern. In the first part of the night she always manages 4 hours, the other day she did 7 in one go. After that it's anybody's guess!

If it's any help, we more often follow a pattern of EASAS, on days with 45 minute naps. Fits quite well into a 3.5  to 4 hour routine at our LOs age as their A time is pretty short, so 2 45 minute naps in any one cycle.

[Mum of 3 + 2 stepkids]

Hi I also follow EAEAS on 3.5-4hrs.

Just thought i would share that with you

Kate x

[lisi's mum]

Kate, do you mean EAEAS or EASAS? Acronyms LOL!

[Mum of 3 + 2 stepkids]

lol didn't read your right!! i ment EAEAS sorry, i never thought of that though EASAS that seems good

Kate x

[lisi's mum]

Aha! That'll be your cluster feeding then!