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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Original poster

breast feeding a 2 month old

13 replies

Chi2011 · 14/10/2011 13:08

I have a 2month old baby who breast feeds on demand normally 2 hrly during the day and when she wakes at night which varies from 2-4 hrly. I was speaking to a friend with a baby of a similar age who told me her breast feeding councillor said she should be feeding her baby3 hourly. Should I be doing this?

OP posts:
Booboostoo · 14/10/2011 13:26

As far as I know you should bf on demand. This is what I do and DD is very happy. As the baby grows older she will be able to go longer periods between feeds, but I think if you try to keep her hungry at this stage all you get is a screaming baby!

RingEir · 14/10/2011 13:28

Ignore this. On demand is on demand. If your baby is hungry or thirsty why make her wait an extra hour just because some people (mistakenly) believe infants should be made to adhere to a strict schedule?

tiktok · 14/10/2011 14:18

No breastfeeding counsellor would say this - anyone saying this is just calling themselves a breastfeeding counsellor :( :(

mamsnet · 14/10/2011 14:20

My DD finally made it to 3 hour gaps at almost 4 months.. DS did it a fair bit sooner.. Your baby will go for longer when she's ready.

Follow your own instinct. YOu know your baby. Smile

Catsu · 14/10/2011 14:28

Perhaps she said babies should be fed at least every 3 hours?

MigGril · 14/10/2011 17:42

On demand is deffatly the best way to go. Baby's change there feeding patters all the time, so throw out the clock and watch the baby.

BertieBotts · 14/10/2011 17:58

Possibly your friend's BFC has said if her baby hasn't had a feed in 3 hours then she should wake her to feed? This is quite common advice and can sometimes be misunderstood or mistranslated.

Feeding on demand sounds great :) Keep on with what you're doing, you're doing fine.

WoTmania · 14/10/2011 18:35

No BF counsellor should give this advice. It sounds like you're doing all the right stuff.

RitaMorgan · 14/10/2011 18:38

I reckon it's more likely she meant at least 3 hourly, rather than only 3 hourly. Mine didn't manage 3 hourly feeds until he was having solid meals in between at 6 months.

Original poster
Chi2011 · 17/10/2011 08:49

Thanks the advice everyone. I believe the breast councillor told my friend she should feed 3 hourly otherwise she will not be able to get things done if her child is continuosly feeding. I thought this was wrong and I am so glad I sort your advice.

OP posts:
KaraStarbuckThrace · 17/10/2011 08:58

Definitelty wrong and I am aghast a BFC would say that. My 4mo still feeds every 2 hours during the day and anywhere between 2-5 hours during the night.
Perfectly normal.

ballstoit · 17/10/2011 09:03

Where is the 'breastfeeding counsellor' from who gave this advice? 'Otherwise she will not get anything done' Hmm I'm hoping your friend has made this up misunderstood.

I think it's more about adjusting priorities than trying to stress it out to 3 hours between feeds (and who wants to be ironing pants while their baby screams for a feed?). Feed baby, feed yourself and the rest of the family, clean clothes, clean kitchen and bathroom...the rest doesn't matter. That's the best advice anyone gave me when bf DC1...and I stuck with it for the other 2 as well. Anyone who doesn't like the state of the house, is welcome to get on with hoovering Grin

Shaz2011 · 17/10/2011 09:07

I bf my son for 3 months & I was doing it on demand cos they said that is best he was feeding every 1 and half hours & he eventually worked his way up to 2 hours go with your own feelings but I feel on demand is best providing they are gaining weight

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