breastfeeding schedule at 2 months?

[Anonymous]

I bottomed out from sleep deprivation right around six months. After that, things got better as my guy slept longer. At a year, I felt somewhat normal again!

[Anonymous]

I'm going to be the odd ball on this one, but it doesn't seem that extreme to me. I don't think your ped. meant for you to lengthen the feedings this very night, but probably extend it just a little bit (even by 30 min.) within then next few weeks.

OP - call the advice nurse or follow up with the ped. and ask why.

In the meantime, have you tried extending the time between feedings? Sure, it's extreme to go from eating every 2 hours to eating every 4 hours, but have you tried going every 2.5 hours?

Babies over 12 pounds should start sleeping longer through the night so nursing every 2 hours at night may discourage this.

Also, have you been able to distinguish cues and cries - crying for hunger v. crying for something to suck (comfort)?

[Anonymous]

OP here, several people have suggested making sure the baby is actually hungry before feeding. That is good advice but I can promise you this is hunger, or at least the desire to nurse. He makes a very specific sound when he wants to eat and is not satisfied by any sucking that doesn't include milk if he is making that sound.

I appreciate all the comments and advice! I may try to lengthen the time between feedings gradually but only if I can distract him, not if he has to cry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I had that thought but this is Northern Va Pediatric Associates, one of the best rated ones around, so I thought I'd ask at least.

Just wondering which doctor you see (if you're willing to say)?

We see Dr. Myers. Last month, at his 2 month appt, she asked how often DB was feeding. We said every 2 - 2.5 hours during the day and 3-4 hrs at night. She said that was fine.

FWIW, I also asked her about possible over-feeding. She said she doesn't worry about over-feeding until at least after the first year. During the first year, a baby puts on all the necessary fat deposits around the nervous system and she likes to see babies gain weight.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
I had that thought but this is Northern Va Pediatric Associates, one of the best rated ones around, so I thought I'd ask at least.

Just wondering which doctor you see (if you're willing to say)?

We see Dr. Myers. Last month, at his 2 month appt, she asked how often DB was feeding. We said every 2 - 2.5 hours during the day and 3-4 hrs at night. She said that was fine.

FWIW, I also asked her about possible over-feeding. She said she doesn't worry about over-feeding until at least after the first year. During the first year, a baby puts on all the necessary fat deposits around the nervous system and she likes to see babies gain weight.

Barakat, who is the head of the practice and has impressive experience.

[Anonymous]

7:44 poster here.

Good to know. We go there too, so I'll keep that in mind if I end up seeing Dr. Barakat for any reason. (meaning, I won't take his advice on feeding, etc.)

[Anonymous]

I'm always surprised when people don't mention supply when scheduled feedings for breastfed infants comes up... remember, breastfeeding is a feedback loop. By feeding your young baby when he's hungry, he's telling your body how much milk it needs to make for him. By "stretching out" between feedings (when your baby is hungry), you're telling your body to make less milk. This feedback loop is so important for maintaining supply, especially when your baby is young. I second the recommendation to attend the new moms class at the Breastfeeding Center... this comes up almost every week, and Pat does a great job of explaining why on-demand feeding is critical to supply. Good luck, the feedings should start stretching out on their own soon!

[Anonymous]

I agree w/ the previous posters. My son nursed every 2 hours around the clock for about 4 months. He then started to stretch out feedings on his own. I would trust your instincts (As long as you get help with the sleep deprivation!)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm always surprised when people don't mention supply when scheduled feedings for breastfed infants comes up... remember, breastfeeding is a feedback loop. By feeding your young baby when he's hungry, he's telling your body how much milk it needs to make for him. By "stretching out" between feedings (when your baby is hungry), you're telling your body to make less milk. This feedback loop is so important for maintaining supply, especially when your baby is young. I second the recommendation to attend the new moms class at the Breastfeeding Center... this comes up almost every week, and Pat does a great job of explaining why on-demand feeding is critical to supply. Good luck, the feedings should start stretching out on their own soon!

This is all true but it is also possible that a baby eating 14 times a day would eat more at 10 sessions that it was eating per session at 14. If you gradually stretch it out, you can monitor this. Or you can pump and save more, if that is useful to you!

[Anonymous]

Again, it all depends on an individual's breast milk storage capacity. We are all different. Some women may be able to hold 5-6oz. per breast while other hold more or less. Therefore, some babies may NEED to eat more/less frequently. Also, depends on one's latch, etc. Attend a Breastfeeding Center class. Weigh baby before and after feeding to see how much baby takes in. Also, different times of day there is different amounts of milk- that's why lots of babies cluster feed in the afternoon/evening.

[Anonymous]

OP, I just want to echo what most PPs have said: listen to your gut and feed your babe if you think/know s/he is hungry! I BF on demand and at that age (and for several months after) I think my daughter was eating every 2-3 hrs. I think it is important to be able to distinguish if s/he's just fussing and can be soothed by some other means, or if s/he is hungry (e.g. not put a boob in his face any time he cries). But personally, I think the idea of strict scheduling is crazy & cruel. Good luck to you. Oh yeah, and I also totally recommed going to one of the free classes at the breastfeeding center. Pat is awesome and will give you some great information & advice.