BF at 3 months - now feeding more at night, less during the day - ideas why? Oh and more on cosleeping

[orchidee]

This is long but I'm trying to give all info that may be needed.

Until about recently DS breastfed frequently and for lengthy sessions during the day then overnight slept 4-6 hours, fed, then another 2-3. He seems to have got a bit more efficient now and often just feeds for 5 mins. This week he has swapped his schedule though, feeding less frequently during the day and every 2 hours from 8pm to 8am. Oh and he has discovered the joys of cosleeping and likes to doze on my chest after his overnight feed. This is something I started as a way to get a lie-in after his morning feed, he'd come into bed, feed, doze, self-service snacking while I got some rest.

Any ideas why or what I can do about the increased night feeds? Just go with it I suppose is the usual tactic... The frequent feeding doesn't feel like a growth spurt, if I offer additional milk during the day he's not really interested and just sucks half-heartedly on and off for a few seconds, plus his actual feeds during the day are short and decreasing. He is showing developmental changes though - just this week he can roll onto either side from his back and is desperately trying to pull himself up to a sitting position (lots of grunting and sit ups).

The co-sleeping is something I feel a bit about. I feel nervous of falling asleep with him on my chest, I feel nervous of him sleeping on his tummy (on me) because of SIDS... We've got a bedside cot btw but he seems to see it as a playgym for practicing his moves.

[TheRealMBJ]

DS did this and I put it down to him being more aware and 'active' during the day. The only way I survived was by co-sleeping.

Have you seen the UNICEF safe co-sleeping guidelines and recent articles showing a 70% reduction in SIDS if excluiveky breastfed?

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

If you follow the guidelines that TheReal has posted then co-sleeping is safe so don't worry about it. My DD decided she liked co-sleeping at 3 months too and it meant that we all got much more sleep, she used to latch on, feed, come off, roll over, burp and go back to sleep all while I half slept next to her

As for feeding more at night, have a read of this on Kellymom.

[orchidee]

Thanks - I should know that these things change quickly and I should know to search Kellymom properly before posting!

Julie I hadn't heard of reverse cycling. It sounds a bit althletic for me I think this sums it up though:
?Distractible (and/or very active) babies or toddlers may nurse more at night to make up for missed or shortened nursing sessions during the day.
So I shall try to ensure all daytime feeds occur in a quiet, calm setting and maybe he'll feed a bit more.

MBJ the leaflet says I should put DS on his back or side to sleep after feeding, I can't find anything about him sleeping on my chest (google that for some interesting results!) I am sure lots of people must do it though. Tbh part of my concern is whether DP is safe, I feel like I am on alert while dozing but don't think DP will be, hence why I began by taking DS into bed once DP got up. DS thinks mum is the best bed in the world though

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

If you put DS by the side of you in the bed and sleep in the position suggested in the leaflet would he sleep then instead of actually on you? That way DP would not be able to roll on him. As for googling "sleeping on front" most of the information will be based on babies who sleep away from their mothers and not on them so will be irrellevant.

As for feeding in the day, I don't think that you have to alter your schedule in any way really. If you want to go out and DS only takes a short feed could you just offer the next feed earlier?