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Infant feeding

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

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Original poster

Quick Poll: Feeding duration/frequency at 15wks...Thanks

13 replies

2plus2plus1 · 08/07/2006 07:24

The reason I ask is that we are going on holiday in 4 wks. DP thinks I (and 5yr old dtds) will get more out of it if I switch to bottles before we go as I am currently tied to the sofa for nearly an hour at a time every 2 hours during the day (even taking into account the bottle hassle factor). I am inclined to agree, in view of the fact that I am going to have to start to reduce the BFing within a couple of weeks after we return in preperation for returning to work . BUT if I am still debating my working hours I may only have to drop 1 feed per day if I only go back mornings. In any case there is a whole 8-10 or more weeks that I can give her if I wait until we get back.
Everything I have read suggests that I should be spending less time feeding by then anyway - but I would like some evidence please.
So the question is:
During the DAY how often do you feed & for how long? Is anyone still feeding for more than 30 mins at a time?
Many thanks - and please don't hold back I need to make an informed judgement.

OP posts:

coppertop · 08/07/2006 07:33

On an average day dd feeds every 3 hours or so. The first feed of the day is the longest and is around 40 minutes. The rest are about 15-20 minutes long on average. In the evenings she tends to cluster feed (5-10mins long) with gaps of about 30mins-1hr. This lasts from around 6pm-9pm and then that's it until either 1am or 3am.

She has no set routine or anything but this seems to be the pattern she follows for herself. Dd will be 16wks old on Monday.

Jasnem · 08/07/2006 07:36

ds is now 20 weeks, and a month ago I was feeding 6-8 times in 24 hrs .
15-20 mins for daytime feeds (roughly every 3 hours) and longer in the night, as I feed him lying down in bed.

Jasnem · 08/07/2006 07:36

ds is now 20 weeks, and a month ago I was feeding 6-8 times in 24 hrs .
15-20 mins for daytime feeds (roughly every 3 hours) and longer in the night, as I feed him lying down in bed.

FrannyandZooey · 08/07/2006 08:03

It's so hard to remember, but I am pretty sure I was breastfeeding very frequently at this age (say 12 - 15 times a day, I fed on demand). I think each feed was shorter than you mentioned but obviously this would be affected by the frequency. When I tried to space his feeds out shortly after this time he would indeed feed for 30 mins or more each time.

I remember a friend around this age totting up the length of time she spent feeding per day and it was something like 6 or 7 hours

They are big, hungry, and needy at this age - you're doing very well to keep going, and each day or week you carry on breastfeeding will have benefits for your son. I seem to remember they have a growth spurt around now so things may calm down a bit soon.

moondog · 08/07/2006 08:42

i don't know anything about b'feeding twins,but can't see that the faff on bottles and formula in a strange place is less stressful than whipping yer norks out.

FrannyandZooey · 08/07/2006 09:11

I don't think it's the baby that's twins, moondog, it's the 5 year old daughters who are twins.

I think.

Original poster

2plus2plus1 · 08/07/2006 09:12

Just to clarify DD3 is currently 11wks (will be 15 when we go). DTDs are 5years & need some mummy entertainment on holiday.
I don't find whipping the 'norks' out too stressful. I don't like the idea of tying myself (or the whole family) to a suitable feeding venue for an hour at a time every 2 hours. Up to 30mins every 2 hours I can handle, 40-50mins every 3hours I can handle. I know it is going to get better, and I know 4wks in baby time is a long time for this to happen. I just feel that I need to make this decision now, when I have no idea what she will be doing in 4wks, so I have time to wind things down. I just want to be confident that most babies do cut down before this point and that it is not a myth.

She is still small (9lb 3oz) and I guess her small mouth needs to grow to improve efficiency. Have been thinking about stretching out a routine but she has rebelled the last couple of days, I think there might be a bit of a spurt going on.

OP posts:

moondog · 08/07/2006 09:29

Sorry,am feeling very ill today.Can hardly see keyboard!!

FrannyandZooey · 08/07/2006 09:35

What's up moondog?

moondog · 08/07/2006 09:37

Dunno
Food poisoning I think.
It's a bummer.I am never ill.
Bloody hell,the idea of a day alone with two kids makes me want to curl up and die.
And I have to collect my niece and nephew (8 and 11) from the airport tomorrow for a two week stay.

Sorry for digression.

FrannyandZooey · 08/07/2006 09:40

Oh lord. Huge sympathies.

moondog · 08/07/2006 09:43

Thank you.
Will soldier on bravely.

CorrieDale · 09/07/2006 07:13

I can't quite remember what was happening at 15 weeks. I think that it had settled down quite a bit (during the day only!) by that time. Certainly shorter feeds. What I was going to suggest, though, is perhaps trying out a sling that has a nursing position? Then you could be a bit more mobile while still feeding DB? I definitely remember that at 4 months, DS was a bugger to feed anywhere that wasn't completely boring - he'd bob up and down, looking around, and was generally a PITA. It's very common! A dark, cosy sling might have kept his mind on the job...

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