3 hourly feeding

7 replies

kbaby · 19/08/2004 20:07

DD has started to fuss at the breast during some feeds. I'm assuming this is because she isnt really that hungry(it happens towards the end of a feed) ive checked that I still have milk there and ive also tried putting her on the other boob. I feed her every 3 hours during the day. Should I stop feeding every 3 hours and instead wait for her to ask me for food instead of assuming that 3 hours is up therefore she should be hungry.

Thanks

OP posts:

zebra · 19/08/2004 20:57

How old? I'd still offer breast every 3 hrs (at a minimum, if 100% breastfed -- does any1 go that long without at least a drink?) but if she fusses try something else.

JulieF · 19/08/2004 22:16

A lot depends on how old the baby is as to the frequency of feeds and whethrt you should wait.

One other thing to consider is that in this hot sticky weather she might just be thirsty rather than hungry so fusses when her thirst is quenched and doesn't want the hindmilk.

mears · 19/08/2004 22:33

I see from another thread your DD is 11 weeks old. I would not wake her for feeds but let her tell you when she wants fed. She may go for 5-6 hours happily. It might be that she goes 4. Let her dictate the pace.

Original poster

kbaby · 20/08/2004 23:00

yes dd is 12 weeks old. during the night i wait until she cries for a feed but during the day i always feed around the 3 hr mark. i didnt know if during the day i should wait until she cried for a feed.

OP posts:

mears · 21/08/2004 00:15

Yes I would kbaby. She will fuss less if she is feeding when she wants. That is not to say that you shouldn't feed her when it suits you. You might want to go out at a certain time and I would certainly wake her for a feed if you needed to be doing something particular. Other than that I would leave her. She might waken 3 hourly anyway

Original poster

kbaby · 21/08/2004 17:22

tanks mears. i fed at 9.30am today and as we were out i thought id wait until she shouted for a feed. she didnt feed for 5 hrs and in the end i fed her as i was starting to panic that 5 hrs was a very long time to go without something. she seemed happy though to have gone so long and just sat in her pram smiling and gurgling away.
think 5 hrs is probably a bit too long mind. maybe ill feed after 4hrs if she hasnt shouted before then.

OP posts:

mears · 21/08/2004 22:00

Nothing wrong with 5 hours kbaby ay this age. Only becomes a problem if baby tries to make up milk feeds during the night. Play it by ear - she may well take more milk by feeding less frequently but more efficiently. She may also go 5 hours one day, but 3 hours the next. I only woke my babies for feeds if my boobs were bustin'

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