Is there any way to discourage short and frequent bf/ snacking from newborn days?

[Babybellyblues]

Or so you need to wait until they're older and can distract?

Possibly but I'd say that any attempt to mess with/control a newborn's feed pattern is likely to play havoc with supply, so would probably be a bad idea even if it is possible.

Newborns don't snack as such. SOmetimes they will feed a long time, sometimes short. Frequent feeds are how they get your supply going - so no, there is nothing to be done about it. Don't worry about feeding frequently. As the breastfeeding mum of a newborn you're only job is to sit and feed them. You won't get much else done and that's fine. this will pass and the feeds space out but right now their basic needs is for milk and more milk. Only a few days ago they got everything they needed through the cord from you - moving to non-constant food is a big step for newborns

Also worth saying OP that the frequent feeding breastfed babies will do is very often misunderstood by family and friends. They will tell you that baby isn't getting enough or is greedy.

BOTH OF THESE THINGS ARE BOLLOCKS. Please file under 'BOLLOCKS' and continue It's very easy to feel undermined by other people's misunderstanding of how breastfeeding actually works.

Why would you want to?

Demand feeding is the best way.

Littlebear - if you've never breastfed before though and are feeling a bit pulled about anyway after labour, then constant feeding cues are hard to understand and it's an experience we don't see anywhere else in life - adults don't feed for two minutes then do the same again for ten minutes five minutes later then go twenty minutes and feed like they're starved then stop feeding and shout at you. Well no adults I know

At what age then would be the best to start discouraging snacking? 3 months?

I think you need to tell us a bit more.

Equally no adult goes for exactly three/four hours with no food and no drink.

Your baby isn't snacking. It's tummy is tiny and it's hot today. It's hungry and thirsty. Just go with it, it really is best.

Interesting - never occurred to me you could/would/should discourage snacking. DD is four months (EBF) and a real snacker. Should I be trying to encourage fewer, bigger feeds then?

Frequent feeding in a newborn isn't snacking. Their tummies are tiny, they can't take enormous amounts at once.

However I do think there comes a time at which they can be gently encouraged to go longer between feeds. I'd say that is more dependent on weight than age. once they are 11/12lb maybe? I would never let them cry with hunger though - try 5 min of distraction, if that works, then ok, if not then feed. then gradually space out feeds more, 5min at a time.

What do you mean by snacking? How often are you expecting them to feed?

I don't know exactly how often my 4 month old feeds but I would say 2 hourly on average, less often at the beginning of the night.

Breastfed babies don't snack. They get what they need as and when they need it. Littlebear is right, it's best to go with it and not think in terms of 'snacking'. I don't think it's at all helpful tbh.

What I can say is that it is around 3-5 months when they get much more interested in the world around them, feed with a purpose and then do something else. So your world becomes much less about feeding about them. Are you feeling ok in general OP? If you are feeling a bit overwhelmed by the unremitting nature of breastfeeding that's ok - happens to us all! This too shall pass.

The OP's baby is 3 days old, everyone. Please be gentle.

The bf councillor I saw befor dd1 was born was brilliant.

She described a baby feeding like this: sometimes it breakfast or lunch. Sometimes it's a cup of tea and a biscuit. Or a drink. Sometimes it's fish and chips and sometimes it's a 3 course meal.

A baby looks to you for it all. Short feeds can be about thirst or a snack. Just as important for a baby as for anyone.

Congrats on your baby OP.

3 days old? Please dont worry about what seems to be constant feeding OP. this is what is supposed to happen. Dont listen to people telling you baby is greedy or not getting enough. Their tummies are tiny and they need little and often to A) fill them and B) encourage your supply. Please dont mess with it. It would be very unfair to your baby to try and stretch times between feeds- it would basically be leaving him hungry a lot of the time which i'm sure you wouldnt intentionally do. Feed him when he wants it. Because when he wants it is exactly the same as when he needs it.

Congratulations.

Think of it at the moment as them building up your supply. They're learning as much as you are at the moment. It's new to you both. Feeds will space out, but not for a bit.

Give their head a sniff for me.

One of the best things any HCP ever said to me was the midwife who told me firmly not to worry about 'spoiling' dd1. Parenting is this big daunting thing you're launched on and you know that there will be barriers and boundaries to set. Breastfeeding is the first thing you encounter and the baby seems to have very clear and exhausting views on it. It's really easy to feel that following their cues is 'spoiling' them and there will be plenty of people lining up to express a view. IGNORE them

Your baby isn't snacking.. bare in mind the first few days is only about a couple of tablespoons of colostrum. We are not cows, our baby's have to feed loads to get our supply up. Your milk should be in soon but really the only job you have atm is to feed feed feed.

My last baby didn't let up for 16 weeks.. I nailed a few xbox games in that time.

Your baby is three days old? Is that right?

Please, please just feed your baby when she seems to need it. If she's dry and clean and she seems upset, then try feeding. Sometimes that might be 20 minutes after the last feed, but do it anyway.

You don't need to discourage your baby from 'snacking'. Babies have lots of different needs. Sometimes big feeds, sometimes small ones. Sometimes cuddles. Just try and roll with it.

Also, I'm assuming this is your first? Try not to plan and worry about how things will be in X months from now. There is honestly no point worrying how a three day old baby will sleep, or eat, or poo, or anything, at three months old. That is a quantum leap away from who they are now. You'll find motherhood much easier if you live in the present

What has been happening/said to you that's making you worry about the feeding pattern?

Lots of feeding at three days old is brilliant - get your supply going, get baby caught up again on any lost birth weight, help clear up any jaundice, great bonding.

Also has it been hot where you are? They will want more frequent drinks (not so much snacks) when it's hot.

As we settled into more of a routine, what worked brilliantly with DD for discouraging snacking was to use a stretchy wrap sling. When she was tired instead of feeding her to sleep we would pop her into the sling, she was in her favourite place close to mum or dad and would sleep for hours. Then wake up really hungry, have a huge feed, and not need feeding again before the next nap. Don't know if it would have worked with DS - he was a much smaller baby and quite insistent on being fed every hour - but I wish I'd known to try.

Thanks for the reassurance. Not my first but I want to avoid 'mistakes' I made with my first, so I am being a little paranoid about it all.

What do you feel didn't go so well with your first?

You can give yourself the first three months at least not worrying about mistakes or bad habits. Everything changes at 4 months anyway ime.

My only advice about snacking is to keep an eye on cues and don't always assume baby is hungry. If baby has been awake a while and crying, more likely to be tired etc.