confusion re: cluster feed

[chinoo]

Quick q: Are we meant to stop cluster feeding at 8 weeks? Tracy seems to mention something about combining the two at 8 weeks. Not sure what this means. My 14week old still has 3 NW every 3 hours for feeds. Have tried DF, upping feeds etc. He feeds every 3 hours ie. 7am,10am, 1pm, 4 pm, then bath and feed at 6:30pm.wakes up to feed at 9:30-10, so not exactly a DF (but makes no difference to him if I wake him or if he wakes up spontaneously). He then wakes up at 1:30am, then 4:30am, then WU 6:30ish. Thanks ever so much.

[Lolly]

Tracy suggested combining the clusters around 8 weeks so you would be on a solid 3 hour EASY and the last feed would be the bedtime feed. However, if the cluster feeding is working for you there is no harm in carrying on with it and a lot of mums will split a feed around bath time so they give some before and the rest after.

You don't want to wake him for a dreamfeed - if you can give it to him asleep that's how it's supposed to be done. Waking pre-midnight is often because they are overtired, how are his naps during the day?

How much milk is he taking for his daytime feeds - is he draining bottles? What flow teat do you have him on now?

Laura

[chinoo]

Thanks Laura. He is still on teat 1 (takes ard 20 mins); takes 6 oz every 3 hours- often leaves about 15mls ) He has 4 naps per day (2x1.5 hrs, and 2x45 minutes long).

[Lolly]

Looks like he is doing well! You could try the next flow teat and see if that helps him take a few more oz during the day.

Laura