Help With Timing??

[ladyleah]

Hi ladies! (also posted in Breastfeeding group)

My DS is now 14 weeks (well, one day shy) old and weighs in around 14 lbs. (was 7lbs 4oz at birth)-- so he is gaining well as an EBF baby.

Here's my problem though-- he has always only nursed 7 times--which is every 3 hours (a few times at 8 times or more-- but RARE) in 24 hours. So, in the last fwe weeks I have been putting him down at 9pm (because he is very tired!!!)-- but try to wake him at 11pm to eat so that he doesn't "miss" his 11pm (ish) feed. The problem is that I really can't wake him,...so he only takes a few sucks and doesn't really transfer to much milk.

Just to clarify-- If he goes to bed at 9 or 930 ish he wakes to eat anywhere between 330-530, and then usually gets up for the day around 8ish.

His "on demand" is about every 3 hours, btw....he has never been a cluster feeder, and he really doesn't get crabby when he is hungry except in the middle of the night....so it's really and on demand/on schedule feeding thing now (or he could go many hours without "remembering" to eat!!!)

So my question is:

1. Should I try to feed him every 2 or 2.5 hours during the day now and drop the 11pm feed if he is totally asleep?

2. Keep try to get some milk in him for the 11pm feed so that he "nurses" at least 7 times in 24 hours?

3. Give up on the 11pm feeding and see if he tries to eat more during the day naturally? (remember, his "on demand" cues are quite rare--it seems he would forget to eat every three hours if I didn't shove my nip in his face! lolol)

Thanks for the feedback in advance!!!

[LadyCatherine185]

I would focus on getting him to nurse more during the day, and relax and get your rest at night! As long as he is gaining well (sounds like it, almost double his birthweight already! ) feeding on demand day and night is just fine!

[akind1]

My DS is a little ahead of yours, 17 weeks. he normally "misses" a feeding at night, and has for at least the last month. typically during the day, he is much like your DS, every 3 hours, nearly on the dot. (by cue/demand) I've noticed since he started sleeping longer - he sometimes goes 7-8 hours at night - he eats a little more frequently the last two feedings before he conks out for the night - usually these feedings are at like 6 and 9 pm. his first feeding in the morning he also is getting quite a bit more since I am usually very full, bordering on engorged, and the let down is a bit agressive. I think he is averaging 6-7 nursings a day (4 am, 7 am, 10 am, 1 pm, 4 pm, 7 pm, and 10 pm, for example) There have been a couple nights he sleeps through even the 4 am feeding. (I would rather he didn't though!)

I think I'd go with opt. 3 of your list, give up the 11 pm feeding, sounds like he is like DS; won't eat unless hungry. can't force it on him! and he is gaining well.

HTH

[belltree]

At that age, babies can get most of their nourishment during the day and skip night feedings. Enjoy your nights and worry less.

[ladyleah]

Thank you for the feedback everyone so far!!!

Akind1-- that sounds so much like us! I am actually engorged on occasion when he wakes me in the middle of the night!

Going to try letting the 11pm feed go tonight and see what happens!!! Will post an update in a few days....

[blessed.mommy]

Good luck! I hope you find something that works for you.

I don't think a l/o would go hungry...so you should be fine dropping the 11pm feeding. I have an 11 (almost 12) week old and he goes to bed about 9-10pm and he eats every 3 hrs too. But at night he'll sleep for longer stretches. He usually doesn't wake to feed till after 1am or so.