So when do they start going for longer between feeds?

[Swizzler]

My DS is 5 weeks and still breast feeding at least every 2 hrs. Not a problem during the day, but the nights are getting to me... I'm hoping he will spontaneously go for longer between feeds as he gets older, but will he? Or should/could I do anything at this stage to space things out? He can be sometimes distracted during the day with a walk/dummy/activity but obv more difficult at night - easier to bf and get him back to sleep immediately. Between feeds he sleeps from 7/8 pm to about 6/7 am.
Oh, and he is hungry when he wakes at night - tried shushing and rocking but he only wants milk! He's gaining lots of weight, but I'm not...

Have you checked if he's got a tongue-tie? My ds had one and after it was snipped, he changed to a more normal feeding pattern.

Wouldn't there be other symptoms with tongue tie? He latches on OK and seems to feed well - just frequently

And are you keeping sane? Suffering from sleep deprivation here .

my dd2 is almost 17 weeks & she still feeds about every 2 hours. Having said that she goes from 7pm to 7am & has done since about 10 weeks, with the odd wake up/feed/then back to sleep.

Really no idea how this happened, other than always feeding her in the dark (& it is pitch black) When she was tiny, I just used to bring her into bed & fall sleep as I was so tired & perhaps she got in the habit of falling straight to sleep again ? She would feed about 2 am, then 4am then 7ish. Then wake up for about an hour & then go back to sleep. At least if they are going straight back to sleep, you are getting some sleep ?

I know some don't agree, but what also works for me is having a good protein for lunch - tuna/avocado/chicken/prawn sandwich & then a milky decaf coffee & scone about 4pm. On the days I've eaten less, she has woken in the night. I tested it again & it definetely helps. Try it & see !

Will try the food thing - you give me hope that DS might start sleping through in a few weeks I do feed at night by a dim light and ds goes to sleep afterwards, but it's not having more than 2 hrs continuous sleep that's difficult

We starting off co-sleeping, but it's not that safe as DS could fall out the side, so he's in the crib at the side of the bed.

DD2 is in a crib too - we've got a kingsize bed & Dh sleeps over one side, on his side & when she was in our bed I didn't move an inch, then I'd wake up stiff & put her back in her crib !

Not sure how many weeks ago it was, but I decided to try to stay awake, & put her straight back in so she/I didn't develop any bad habits. She feeds for about 10 mins, so it was/isn't too bad...no sleep is a killer though..hope the food suggestion helps

Might be Mumsnet voodoo, but DS went for a whole 4 hours last night without a feed . Have tried the big lunch, so will await results this evening...

Thanks for the help

This is very interesting.. How did it go last night?? My ds is waking up for feeds more than he used to. Please let me know, and I will try this too

Sorry to report that DS screamed and wouldn't settle till about 10pm, then still woke every 2 hrs, so not a magic fix! Still, having a solid lunch made me feel better

must be something in the water (or the strong coffee I drank today) DD2 has been screaming, arching her back. Off the caffeine & hot pepper sauce for a week. Still she is fast asleep now

Hope you're night is better & it will get better !

Message withdrawn

Much better last night - another 4 hour stretch (early evening again, but it's a start ) and then 2-hourly and he's still asleep! One thing that does make a difference is ensuring he gets enough sleep during the day, otherwise he gets overtired and won't sleep tho he needs to.