Breastfeeding feeding timings

[emsyj]

DD is nearly 6 weeks old and I am exclusively breastfeeding. She is feeding about every 2 hours day and night. I am just wondering when this will space out, or if it actually spaces out or they just drop feeds???

By way of background, DD was born at 6lb and is now just over 8lb.

thanks!

Sounds like you are doing really well and sounds v normal. Feeds do space out eventually, but it varies a lot between children. In the hot weather at the moment lots of breastfed babies of all ages are feeding frequently day and night to quench their thirst.

Thanks for your reply. DD has been cluster feeding the last few days (and nights!) and I think it must be the heat. I spoke to the breastfeeding support counsellor yesterday and she said lots of other mums are reporting the same thing so it must be the heat. I've lost count of the number of feeds she's had today!!!

iirc my ds fed every 1-2hrs until he started (of his own accord) dropping nighttime feeds at around 8wks and I could then usually stretch daytime feeds to every 2hrs but continued feeding every 2 hrs until he was about 11mths! (didn't really like solids so took a long time to get them properly established). Every baby is different but my experience and that of my bfing friends is that about every 2hrs is standard, some will go a bit longer, some not as long.

Good luck - the 6wk growth spurt is tricky but I did find it got a lot better around 8wks!

Sounds like you are doing a fantastic job to me too. Hope your DP is looking after you and bringing you lots of cool drinks.

We found that the best way of coping with the night feeds was to co-sleep, it was the only way we got some sleep.

I always think that the first 6 weeks are the hardest and you've got through it already. This time is such a short time out of your life.

Put your feet up and go with the flow

I could cope with 2 hourly feeds in the day if I got a decent night's sleep.... Here's hoping that happens soon! Although I am realistic that DD is small (she was 3 weeks early, so not a bad weight for her gestation but obviously still quite tiny) so will not be able to go for long periods without milk until she grows bigger.

You are doing a fantastic job -well done. Feeds will gradually start to space out, but not for a little while yet - especially with this heat! Get comfy, get a nice big jug of refreshing drink and relax...