Will my snacky ds naturally drop bf's in his own time or do I have to try to space feeds?

[plasticspoon]

Apologies for yet another post

My nearly 15 week old ds is a real snacker (up to 2-3 times an hour in the day, sometimes more), something which I have inadvertently encouraged by sticking a boob in his mouth for comfort as well as hunger cues as he is a sensitive little soul and often can't settle any other way. I also found bf'ing so hard to establish that I am terrified of affecting my supply.

I'm feeling a bit conflicted as, though part of me loves being able to help him feel good and settle, I am also very stressed (sleep issues and mild pnd) and everyone seems to think he feeds too often. Also he will only fall asleep nursing and can't seem to stay asleep (naps or nighttime) without occasionally diving for a nipple in his sleep.

So, will this resolve itself or do I need to try and stretch him a bit more? If so, how on earth do I start?!

Do you want to space feeds, or is it just that other people are saying you should? If you and your ds are happy then I'd continue as you are - 15 weeks is very little.

My ds spaced feeds once he was on solids, but I still use the breast to comfort him or to get him to go to sleep or stay asleep - it also buys me an extra hour or two lie-in in the morning

You might find 'the no cry sleep solution' helpful for improving sleep. It's written by a breastfeeding Mum and is baby friendly - great for high need babies.

I second japhrimel's suggestion. Look at their advice now, rather than several months down the line.

I would perhaps try and settle him occasionally without bf, also to allow someone else to look after him, but of course not let him get distressed.

I totally understand why you would do this, especially if you are stressed about supply but things should be ok by now.

God MoonUnit, I don't know - I barely know my own mind at the moment, as is probably clear from my other threads that you've kindly commented on. It's all a muddle - in an ideal world I would co-sleep and bf totally on demand but then in an ideal world I'd have a baby that could take it or leave it!

Dh wants to do baby whisperer. Whether I do or not depends on how stressed I am at the time. I have a feeling that I wouldn't forgive myself though as ds would absolutely scream for hours, I am sure of it.

japhrimel and jamais - I do have a copy of that and need to look at it again, thanks. Looked when ds was about 5 wks and gave up when it said try to get them to sleep w/out the nipple. That has happened all of twice. He gets very distressed very quickly.

Read it again and persevere would be my advice. And try getting your OH to settle the baby - that really helped us.

I think it is wise for your OH to try and settle him sometimes - it is a huge burden to be the only person who can effectively comfort your child.

But I really wouldn't get too hung up on spacing feeds/sleeping etc etc just at the moment. You could well have sleep regression/4 month growth spurt etc in the next couple of weeks and you'd only have to start again :)