Breastfed baby feeding every hour

[PollyIndia]

Baby is 14 weeks (16 weeks corrected). We used to be in a 3hour schedule and he would go 5-6 hours at night but he is now feeding hourly and I am back at work so not coping. I work at home so breastfeed him when I am here then he has expressed milk when I am not. He will guzzle 8 oz in a few hours. If he is having these volumes from my boobs, he is having way more than they say they need.
Will switching to formula help? Or do i need a stricter routine rather than feeding on demand? I had wanted to carry on to 6 months but cannot carry on at this rate. Finding it very difficult.

[monsterchild]

I feel for you. My baby is only 4 weeks, but he's eating like there's no tomorrow. I don't know how I'm going to go back to work like this! But m understanding is that you milk will respond and you'll make more as needed.
I've also read that bf babies don't actually increase their intake after 6 weeks?

Not sure if this helps, but I'm sure someone more knowledgeable will be along to help more! Just didn't want you to think you were alone!

[Homebird8]

It could easily be a growth spurt which DS will get over soon. It can feel overwhelming and you think it's never going to stop. If you go with it, and don't worry about volumes of breast milk, then things will stabilise soon enough and some sort of routine will re-establish itself (until next time). For a full term baby you can expect growth spurts around 3 and 6 weeks, and 3 and 6 months. This is bound to be affected by birth weight and time of arrival but it's perfectly normal.

Hang on in there. You're doing absolutely great!

[confuddledDOTcom]

You're at the right stage for a growth spurt. It should settle back down shortly on it's own, but at the moment it's important that he feeds like that, he's hungry for a start, he needs to build up his resources to grow and your supply to feed the bigger baby he will be. It shouldn't last long.

[PollyIndia]

We had a growth spurt 2 weeks ago so I wasn't expecting another so soon. Wondered if it could be the infamous 4 month sleep regression although he isn't quite 4 months.

It would be easier if I wasn't back at work. Breastfeeding was very hard and painful for 7 weeks so I was really pleased to crack it. But guess it never gets exactly easy, does it!

[VariousBartimaeus]

DS has a rough growth spurt pattern of eating loads, then hardly eating anything for a week, then eating loads again and then growing. Maybe your baby is the same?

[tiktok]

Polly, babies sometimes do this - need more frequent feeding - at times of change in their lives. You have gone back to work, and your baby is coping with a whole different 'lifestyle :) He is without you in the day for some of the time, and he is getting used to this - his 'contact time' with you has changed, and he needs to check in with you more often when you are there.

This is likely to settle down soon, if his needs are met....knackering though it is for you.

If you can hang on in there, this developmental/emotional stage is 'satisfied' and he will space his feeds (or be able to be nudged in that direction without distress).

You can't estimate how much milk he is having by the way - he will eat according to his appetite and reduce the volume of milk he take even though he is feeding more.

[PollyIndia]

Well if you put it like that TikTok...! Now I feel guilty. Just kidding (well, ish!), in many ways the night feeds are my favourite times with him as it's all snuggly and quiet. But every hour is knackering - every 3/4 is fine.

VariousB, that could well be it. I think this period is a big developmental stage as there's a wonder week that lasts for about 4 weeks, plus obviously they are doing a lot of growing.

Thanks all

[McBaby]

My little one did this for a few days at 16 weeks then went back to longer gaps.

[PollyIndia]

Thanks McBaby - fingers crossed. He's asleep in bed now and went down perfectly - lay there cooing for a bit then fell asleep. So maybe he's feeling a bit more chilled and that will translate to longer stretches???!