Dropping a feed when moving to 4-hour EASY

[Finns mum]

Silly question, but when you move to the 4-hour EASY, you actually end up dropping a feed, right? This makes perfect sense if you are bottle feeding, as you'd just add more to each feed, but how exactly does it work when you're breast-feeding? He obviously needs more at each feed, but surely if you are feeding him less often, you'll start producing less milk? And if it's not there for him to feed, how will they ever start producing more? I'm sure the body must be clever enough to do this somehow, but I'm not sure I get it!!!! I know my LO can happily go at least 4 hours between feeds, but I'm worried he won't get enough altogether each day!

[RachelC]

Not a silly questions 

Your ds will tell your body that he needs more at each feed.  Actually, it's not that the baby needs more milk, just a change of when he takes it.  According to http://www.kellymom.com the total milk intake doesn't change until after 6 months (when it generally decreases based on solid increases)

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/pumping/milkcalc.html
In exclusively breastfed babies, milk intake increases quickly during the first few weeks of life, then stays about the same between one and six months (though it likely increases short term during growth spurts). Current breastfeeding research does not indicate that breastmilk intake changes with baby's age or weight between one and six months. After six months, breastmilk intake will continue at this same level until -- sometime after six months, depending in baby's intake from other foods -- baby's milk intake begins to decrease gradually (see below).

By going longer between feeds your ds will teach your body to make more at the times he needs it.  I hope that helps and is not too confusing. 

[Petunia]

I would say that if your baby is ready to move to four hours between feeds that is your cue that he is getting enough at each feed to do so.  Don't worry about how he will make up the 'missed milk' - he probably will do so without your noticing.

[Finns mum]

Thanks for putting my mind at rest!