still feeding at least 8 times a day at 4 months - is this right?

[perapera]

hello, I'm new to mumsnet, my DD is 4 months old and exclusively bf

Having just read an email newsletter from another website (baby centre) the first thing it says for a four-month old is that they will be feeding less, around 5 times a day. I'm still feeding DD at least 8 times a day so that's still what I seem to spend most of my time doing. In fact, if anything I'm feeding more now than I was a month ago.

Is there any way to extend the time between feeds and gradually reduce the number? Or should I not be trying to do that, but just continue to feed as often as I am? She seems hungry, but I can't really tell...

Hi there

I'm not an expert in this but BF my DD now 10 months old.

She was definitely feeding 8 times a day (including the 2/3 times during the night) and from what my friends have experienced as well this is completely normal.

5 times a day sounds maybe more likely for a formula baby, although don't quote me on that. Just trying to think where they got the stats from.

So yes I do think it's normal and wouldn't think about reducing the feeds. They will get less over time I promise.

If you feel like you need support with the BF then I think there are various people you can contact but unfortunately I'm no expert so don't really know exactly who they are.

The laleche league has been mentioned a few times as well as NCT, NHS BF councillors off the top of my head.

I was feeding dd between 7 and 9 times a day when she was 11 months, never mind 4!!!!

I would ignore anyone who tries to set limits and regimens on feeding, and just feed when you think your baby wants it. Their tummies are still tiny, so little and often is a good way to go.

SOunds like my DS, same age, but I think mine feeds more often!

I hate hate hate 'babies will be doing so and so' because they always seem to be different to DS and it stresses me. Or maybe I only notice the ones that are different to us!

hey perapera. my dp read that same babycentre post today (ds also 4 months) and asked me why ds still feeds about every 1-2 hours as babycentre says he only needs 5 feeds a day. maybe I should also try to space feeds out - no idea how though with a hungry baby. but right now regular short feeds seem to be what he wants, so not going to try and change it. nice to know someone else has a frequent feeder too (although ds definitely feeds more than 8 times a day!)

I was absolutely doing this many feeds at 4 months. Some babies will do more feeds, some less. She may be feeding a little more if it's hot, or just having a growth spurt. If you feel ok about it all, then just keep on as you're doing, which is great!

how much feed is she taking? @ about this age probably a minimum of six oz which will take her to 4hrs between feeds. each baby is different so dont take this as gospel but she is probably feeding often because she is not taking enough to satisfy her on one feed. i was the same when i stopped bf and as soon as i spaced the feeds minimum 3 1/2 hrs it got better. Hope this helps

well, i was definitely feeding more than 8 times at 4 months. he is 5.5 months now, and still feeding every 2hrs in the day and a few times at night. more in the evenings too. 10 times a day?

i got into a panic about the 4 month mark, worrying what he 'should' be doing. but if your dd is well, it doesn't matter how ofen she is feeding. Some people have more spaced out feeds, and certainly with formula they are less frequent, but that doesn't mean thre is anything wrong with feeding more often.

human babies have been breastfed since before humans had clocks, so why should we time things??

welcome to mumsnet.

I am quite a bit older than 4 mths. In fact I am a grown up person. So far today (I got up at 7.30 am) there have been about 12 or 13 occasions in which I drank or ate something, though to be honest I have not been counting. It might even have been 15 or 16.

Should I be 'extending the time between' these occasions, or just accept that it is fine to eat or drink when I feel hungry, or thirsty, or sociable....I don't have a weight problem.

Blueprints for what babies ought to be doing, especially bf babies whose quantities are determined by themselves, are misleading and worrying....just follow your baby's lead

Well said tiktok.

Well said tiktok.

Thanks for the replies and reassurance everyone. I guess I'll keep feeding her as often as she seems to need it.

It only worried me because I had read that in general babies will feed less often and for a shorter time as they grow older, and this isn't happening for us at all. In fact, whereas feeds used to take around 15 minutes when she was about 3m, they're now taking around 30 mins or more.

Plus, we are feeding more often as I've started to feed her before she has a nap in the mornings to get her to fall asleep. But the HV tells me this is something to avoid...

Ignore HV and just go with your instinct ! plenty of time to worry about sleep associations. Just rouse her gentluy before you put her down, otherwise she'll wake up wondering whyt there's no nipple in her mouth.

And for what it's worth, we sometimes still do 8+ feeds at 15 moinths !!! mostly at night though

feed when she wants - who's counting. My dd is 8 months & I've never added up how much I bf