How often does your toddler breast feed?

10 replies

MrsSawdust · 31/01/2010 21:16

I ask because my 17 month old is asking to bf 2 or 3 times during the day, plus first thing in the morning, last thing at night and usually 2 to 3 times during the night too. That's potentially 8 feeds in 24hrs.

Is this normal? She has a healthy appetite for solids too and is a normal weight.

OP posts:

wastingaway · 31/01/2010 21:21

DS is 20 months and usually has at least one, usually two or more during the day, plus first thing in the morning and last thing at night. He doesn't wake in the night any more, but was having around two at night till about 15 months old.

If she's happy and healthy and you're happy with it, then it's not a problem.

Original poster

MrsSawdust · 31/01/2010 21:28

Thanks wastingaway, yes I am happy with it (though I do sometimes wish she would sleep through the night!)

However I may have to return to work full time in a few months and I'm not looking forward to depriving her (or me!) of those day time feeds. Especially if she still needs them.

OP posts:

sanfairyann · 31/01/2010 21:30

dd was also similar, she's almost 3 now and just stopping night feeds altogether and having only one feed morning and one evening - never thought the day would come

SparklyJules · 31/01/2010 21:53

Hi MrsSawdust. My ds is 23 months and he feeds first thing in the morning, at bedtime, occasionally at about 11pm and and usually (most nights) at sometime around 3/4am. I am with you in wishing he would sleep through the night though - he does sometimes, and it's like a little gift!

sparklycheerymummy · 31/01/2010 21:59

please tell me my ds will continue to sleep through (7pm - 5am)..... he is 7 weeks and feeds 6 or 7 times in 24 hours....... he is a BIG boy..... 10lb 11ozs at birth and was 13lb 6ozs 2 weeks ago!! I have not done anythign other than follow his lead and he likes to sleep at night...... but is a monkey in the day. OP is it a full feed or a 'drink' in the day????

piscesmoon · 31/01/2010 22:18

Once mine were onto a balanced diet they got water at night. At that age I would explain that mummy is asleep and the water is in a beaker by the bed.

Original poster

MrsSawdust · 31/01/2010 22:33

Sparklycheerymummy - there are no guarantees that your ds will keep sleepng through. He might, but he might not. My dd slept through almost every night for about a month when she was 4 months old. Now she only sleeps through occasionally. It doesn't bother me massively, I know she will do so of her own accord eventually. Daytime bf's are usually quite long but occasionally she just goes in for a snackette!

Piscesmoon - when she wakes in the night I always offer her water first. Sometimes this is what she wants but most of the time she pushes the water cup away and just cries for "moke" (her word for milk).

OP posts:

hairymelons · 31/01/2010 22:44

DS would feed all day and night if I let him. He gets to feed from 5am-ish until we get up, pre and post afternoon nap and at bed time. He is 18mo. Until 14mo he fed whenever he wanted but I now distract at other times because I was getting a bit fed up with it. Terrible, eh?

mawbroon · 01/02/2010 09:50

My ds fed at least as much as that at that age. He was a good eater too, so it wasn't a hunger thing.

He is 4.3yo now and still feeds morning/bedtime and a couple of times through the day.

He just really likes it I think.

Am expecting him to seriously ramp the number of feeds once ds2 arrives in a couple of weeks...

sambo303 · 01/02/2010 21:23

MrsS my ds (also 17months) feeds when he wakes around 6.30am, usually twice in the day before a nap or when I get in from work then at bedtime then supper at 10ish then a wee drink at 3am. He also has a huge appetite for solid food.

I also wish he;d cut out the 3am feed, that would be lovely!

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