feeding on demand

[kcj748]

I don't really understand the benefits of not feeding on demand. My HV slightly rolled her eyes at me when I said he eats every two or three hours and said 'oh, feeding on demand then'. We have a routine that is based around regular naps rather than meals. I obviously see that if your baby is only having small meals at a time and really often ('snacking') then this isn't a good habit. But if your baby is crying to eat after two and a half hours rather than the official three what on earth are the pros of making him wait?

There are none that I know of - the advice to give feeds at set times (3 or 4 hourly) went out years ago. Unfortunately some HCPs (particularly HVs) seem to want to follow it anyway, possibly because it's what they did as a parent.

As Flisspaps said, it is advised to feed on demand and has been for at least the last 9 years, I was advised this by my first HV with my oldest. No-one knows when baby is hungry apart from baby, even if it is just regular snacky feeds, some babies like to eat little and often some like to fill thier boots in one sitting.