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breastfeeding schedule at 2 months?
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Anonymous
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My ped told me at my son's two-month appointment that he wants me to switch him from breastfeeding every 2-3 hours,, on demand, to every 3-4. This means, and my ped knows, that my son will have to cry at times and not be fed. I was too surprised and tired to ask why.
Why would I do this? Does anyone else do this? I realize my son eats at a lot, at 12-14 times a day, but he is average for weight. |
Anonymous
| I'd find a new ped. |
Anonymous
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. |
Anonymous
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Most peds know almost nothing about breastfeeding. I would either ignore the ped or find a new one who is supportive and knows about nursing.
I breastfed on demand, and at 2 m/o my db was still feeding like yours is. |
Anonymous
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I agree that 12-14 times/day sounds like a lot, but I think every 3-4 is too far the other way.
Keep in mind that breast-feeding "on demand" and breast-feeding every time the baby cries are not necessarily the same thing. Make sure the baby is not wet, bored, sleepy, etc. before assuming he is hungry, especially if its been less than 2 hours. At this age, wakeful time is brief, sometimes only 45-90 minutes including feeding time, so the fussiness could be sleep related. Also, make sure the baby is taking a complete feeding each time and not just snacking at the breast - when he snacks he misses out on the calorie-rich hindmilk and will get hungry again sooner. Every baby is different, but at this age my demand-fed baby was probably eating every 2-3 hours during the "daytime" with one longer 5-6 hour stretch at night (maybe like 10pm-3am, then back to sleep for a couple more hours.) If you otherwise like your ped, I wouldn't switch over this. Just get your breastfeeding information elsewhere (like a lactation consultant or a book - I liked "The Nursing Mother's Companion") Keep in mind that fewer than 7 feedings a day could cause supply issues in some moms at this stage. Good luck! |
Anonymous
| Not to be mean but best for what?? Breastfeeding should always be on demand. Think of it this way, you are thirsty/hungry but are not allowed to eat! My 7 1/2 month old is still on demand. The time lengthens, naturally, when the baby is ready for it too. Plus, around 2 months there is a growth spurt (for the first 3 months there seems to always be a growth spurt) so your son may want to eat more than normal. You may want to attend a free group at the Breastfeeding Center to learn more. Also, a lot of issues with feeding often have to do with how much milk your breasts hold- some people hold more than others therefore their child may be able to eat more therefore not having to eat as often. Also, breastfeeding especially after the first month works on supply and demand. Unless you are planning on weaning soon I would NOT take your peds. advice- if you do it will probably do more harm than good. |
Anonymous
| Please attend a meeting at the Breast Feeding Center of Washington ( google them for the number,etc) your ped seems to be giving advice beyound their specialty (most Peds know nothing about breastfeeding, it's not covered in med school). I got a lot out of the BF Center myself. BTW at 2 months my son was breastfeeding about every 2 to 2.5 hours. Good luck to you!!! |
Anonymous
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I agree that 12-14 times/day sounds like a lot, but I think every 3-4 is too far the other way.
OP here, to be clear he wants me to feed every 3-4 hours, not 3-4 times a day. |
Anonymous
| PP here: I forgot to mention that I think it is so silly for people to be telling mothers of newborn how often to BF. The composition of every women's breast milk is different. So since one women's milk may have more fat then another their children will obviously be eating at different intervals. There are also growth spurts to acount for, not knowing exactly how much milk was expressed by the baby at each meal, etc. It isn't like formula where every 4 oz bottle contains the same amount of calories. |
Anonymous
| 19:11 poster here. I knew that you meant every 3-4 hours. I just meant that I think 4 hours is too long for a baby that age to to go. |
Anonymous
| do what you are comfortable with and don't worry about the ped. I flat out told mine that I would not let my son cry during the night and withhold feeding as per her instruction. she told me he was large/old enough tp be sleeping through the night. I told her that obviously he was not or otherwise he'd be sleeping through the night (which is defined as 5 hours - btw) further - when she was willing to come to my house and parent through the night then i MIGHT reconsider. when the baby cries and is hungry - feed him/her. just because they are doctors doesn't mean they know everything. I know it's hard but trust your instinct. |
Anonymous
| My ped has said similar things (not "medical" mind you) about what we should be doing eating and sleeping-wise at this point, and honestly, we just keep the baby as happy as possible. I figure, we sleep well, baby sleeps well, baby gains weight, I lose weight, what should I really be doing differently... but it took me a while to trust my own judgment on this stuff. |
juliesmcgovern@mac.com
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I also breastfeed on demand. But, at the 2 mo appointment, I asked my ped, mother of twins, how to help the baby sleep longer and she suggested stretching out the every 2 hour feedings to every 2-3 hour. I just pushed it a few minutes for a couple of weeks (more soothing before offering the breast) and I think it helped. She said schedule was a godsend to her...
But truly, even with reducing night wakings, I haven't slept through the night for 5 months anyway and am so sleep deprived... |
Anonymous
| OP, your pedi is wrong and your baby is right. Feed your baby when he's hungry and you will both be happier. |
Anonymous
| Yeah, your ped is off on this one. Let the baby eat with s/he needs to. |