feeding frequency in an 8 week old

Neilsmum · 2006-10-08T15:59:17+00:00

Is it normal for my 8 week old son to feed every 2.5-3 hours both day and night?And at what age will he be able to go for longer between feeds?

eenywifemum · 08/10/2006 17:00

my 8 week old feeds every 3 hours. he was feeding almost hourly, we just got him down to every 3 hours. i think its pretty normal.

dizzybint · 08/10/2006 17:01

yes it's normal. are you breast or formula feeding? have you had a look at kellymom.com?

USAUKMum · 08/10/2006 17:54

V. normal. In fact mine were more like every 2 - 2.5hrs at that age. It varies with every baby depending on metabolism, etc. But there is a change in feeding at around 12 wks. Just as long as you don't forget the growth spurt that happens around this time as well. Then the next step change is around 6 mths when food is started to be introduced.

Some babes will start streching out nightimes, but mine never did! Well I lie, by 6 mths I think that they were down to 1 feed a night ?

amijee · 08/10/2006 18:44

my ds has an average of 12 feeds in 24 hrs - that averages out to 2 hourly although he has one long stretch early evening.

I sympathise - I am exhausted from getting up 3-4 times a night ( it's not the feeding that's the issue it's the getting them back to sleep afterwards - don't wanna co sleep - think it leads to more sleep probs in the long run)

I am waiting patiently for the 12 week mark but not holding my breath as i've been waiting for milestones since he was born and they never happen! When he has a growth spurt or had his jabs etc, he feeds hourly!!

I've accepted that I may have to start formula in prep for going back to work as I can't be this sleep deprived and work the long hrs I do. Really unhappy about this but I can't see any other way of having longer intervals between feeds.

amijee · 08/10/2006 18:48

btw, my ds is 10.5 weeks

Original poster

Neilsmum · 08/10/2006 19:34

Breastfeeding but supplementing with EBM/Formula.He is a big boy and inspite of feeding for 2 hrs at the breast can easily polish off 5 oz from the bottle.

OP posts:

mammaduck · 08/10/2006 19:52

Totally normal! 2.5-3 hourly feeds is really good going. It took my DS much longer to go that long between feeds.

It will calm down, believe us! Hang in there! He settled down into sleeping longer at around 3 months, and that was without topping up with formula.

Be aware also that learning to sleep longer at nights is a big thing for babies to get the hang of. A lot of it is the emotional security to cope when they wake up during the night without needing to call for mummy. They do wake because they're hungry, but they also wake and call for you because they need reassurance that you're still there. So don't automatically think 'When he takes more milk/starts solids he'll start sleeping through'. It's not that straightforward, unfortunately!

Feel for you amijee. Are you aware that companies are obliged to allow breastfeeding mothers time during the working day to express milk, and they must give you a suitable private room (not the ladies' loo) and somewhere to store the EBM (i.e. a fridge)? Might be worth looking into!

USAUKMum · 08/10/2006 19:53

When you say "feeding for 2 hrs" do you mean he is latched on that entire time? Sounds like comfort sucking -- make sure he is actually swallowing.

With my DD we did end up co-sleeping on and off until she was 10.5 mths. As she was difficult to settle.

With DS we decide to solely co-sleep to begin with, did this for 8 wks. He then went into craddle and never had trouble settling him after night feeds after this.

USAUKMum · 08/10/2006 19:56

amijee My SIL (in the States) went back to full time job when her daughter was 3 mths (she is 6 days older than my DS) and she managed to bf her DD until 17 mths. She expressed regularly at work (believe she had an Advent set designed specifically for this). Her DD took bottles during the day, and when SIL around from her. My brother also did some night feeds if my SIL needed some extra sleep possible because of the bottles. So it can be done. Must admit I greatly admire her for it!

mammaduck · 08/10/2006 20:03

Agree USAUK - 2 hours latched on does sound a lot like comfort suckling.

Does he suck his thumb at all, Neilsmum? Might be worth encouraging this as it can help them to satisfy their need to suck without being attached to you! Would try to steer clear of dummies though - not good for BF babies on the whole (but some people disagree with this view).

Mojomummy · 08/10/2006 20:28

My BF DD2 feeds about every 2 hours. She is now 11.5 weeks & last night went from 8:30pm top 6am !! I couldn't believe it !

DD1 feed all the time & I gave her a dummy, which helped - would that be any good for you ?

Original poster

Neilsmum · 08/10/2006 20:41

Spat out dummy in disgust on several occasions.Can hear him gulping on and off while he is bf.No top ups needed during the day but after 6 in the evening, things go steadily downhill!

OP posts:

mammaduck · 08/10/2006 21:10

Same thing happened with me - evenings seem to be the time when they start feeding non-stop and it's knackering for you.

Do you think giving the formula at night makes any difference? I tried it a few times, but it didn't seem to change anything so I just stopped doing it (personal choice of course).

Please hang onto the fact that BFding does get easier. Even when you think you'll never recover from being this tired - you will. As soon as they start sleeping longer and you get a couple of decent nights under your belt you instantly forget how tired you were.

Are you co-sleeping with him? This is also something to perhaps consider. I used to co-sleep with my DS when he was feeding regularly through the night and we mastered the 'lying down' feeding position so when he woke I just latched him on and didn't even have to sit up - in fact I used to fall asleep while feeding him!

Adorabelle · 08/10/2006 22:02

Neilsmum, after a hellish start to bfeeding my dd
finally got the hang of it, then she just would not stop!

She fed every 2hrs without fail (would then be on for 45mins to an hr) so i'd only get an hours break. I promise you that it does get easier, my dd is now 2.4 yrs & we're still feeding

For my own sanity co-sleeping was a God send, & b4 you ask no she's not a clingly toddler now. Has slept in her own bed, in her own room from 19 months.

motherinferior · 08/10/2006 22:04

Totally normal. Both of mine fed even more often.

It will space out. I know it seems as if it'll never, ever, change but honestly it does.

Adorabelle · 08/10/2006 23:39

bump

Original poster

Neilsmum · 09/10/2006 08:00

Thank you guys.There is light at the end of the tunnel after all!Last night was hellish.Fed at 3,4, 5 and then6.30,although falling asleep at the breast.Was thinking guiltily about giving up BF,butwill persevere for somemore time.

OP posts:

USAUKMum · 09/10/2006 11:37

Neilsmum, Also make sure that you have a sit down and relax in the afternoon and a snack. Milk quality isn't as good at the end of the day as you are tired, which can lead to more frequent feeds. Don't worry -- feeding burns a min of 500 cals a day. I lost 30 lbs iin 3 months feeding my bottomless pit (known also as DS) AND still ate cake every afternoon

tiktok · 09/10/2006 12:43

"Milk quality isn't as good at the end of the day as you are tired" - bit of a myth, that one, though oft-repeated!

Original poster

Neilsmum · 09/10/2006 21:02

DS was attached to breasts all day.Did not sleep a wink and is so tired now that heisrefusing to go to sleep.Took himfor a drive with no success.DH trying to put him to sleep.Putting fist in mouth all the time.Does that mean he is still hungry?Feel like bursting into tears.

OP posts:

katiebirdie · 09/10/2006 21:15

hang in there neilsmum,my ds is 9 weeks and has had a few days as you have just described. it will get easier, and remember even switching to formula chances are he will behave in exactly same manner (and u will have added work in making, cleaning and sterilising bottles etc)

sending positive thoughts to you and sleepy vibes to your ds!

xx

katiebirdie · 09/10/2006 21:16

hang in there neilsmum,my ds is 9 weeks and has had a few days as you have just described. it will get easier, and remember even switching to formula chances are he will behave in exactly same manner (and u will have added work in making, cleaning and sterilising bottles etc)

sending positive thoughts to you and sleepy vibes to your ds!

xx

Josie57 · 09/10/2006 21:41

I had a similar situation with my DS1 at 4 weeks - he was feeding every two hours or less and I was absolutely exhausted and not looking forward to the prospect of my dh going back to work. What worked for us was getting him into a routine where we encouraged him to settle himself in his cot. The first time we did this he cried for over an hour (yes I did feel like a terrible mum and my dh had to almost lock me in a room downstairs to stop me going to him) but now he settles himself within 5 minutes (10 on a really bad day). Now we know that often his crying is because he's sleepy and not because he was hungry, which had always been my assumption previously so I had effectively been force feeding him thinking he was hungry when in fact he was just tired and in need of some sleep. Now when he feeds he is feeding properly whereas before he would often feed for 10 mins then fall asleep. Nowadays he will often sleep for 3-4 hours at night which is so much better than it was before.

bluejelly · 09/10/2006 21:52

Neilsmum
Don't cry - it sounds like a growth spurt of some kind, or a phase. Things do get easier-- I found the 12 week mark was quite a watershed. My dd still woke up at night but fed much quicker and more efficiently. Your son is still small but he will get the hang of it.
Only thing I would say you must do is sleep when the baby sleeps, even in the day when there are lots of other things to do, stop everything and go to bed, at least half an hour a day. It was the only thing that kept me sane, and breastfeeding!