What’s more important nap or feed?

[MrsEK1991]

I’m exclusively breastfeeding my 16 week old. Since the beginning he’s been feeding every 2 hours during the day, and because we had some issues with him putting on weight, I’m cautious to push him any longer between feeds. However, he can normally only stay awake for 2 hours or so until he needs a nap. So this morning for instance he napped until 10:20, then had a feed, but come 12:20 he needs both a nap and a feed. If I feed him he ends up only feeding for a few mins before falling asleep, which just disrupts everything (he can’t feed properly because he’s tired, can’t sleep properly because he’s hungry). I know it’s not good because we then have a weird few hours of him sleeping and eating and sleeping and eating on my boob during the afternoon, rather than having an actual feed, an actual nap and an actual awake period. So I’m
wondering at 12:20 what should I have prioritised? Any help or similar experiences? Thanks!

Can’t you just tickle his feet when he’s sleeping? I bf, I would just go with it. Feed and if my daughter fell asleep on the boob I’d be fine with that, then probably feed again when she woke. Bf babies do feed often, so I just accepted the first 4-5 months was mainly feeding and sleeping. When we got to 6 months I noticed a huge difference in the awake periods and would really struggle to get my daughter to nap in the day. So go with it while you still can.

Just feed him. It's fine if he falls asleep. Babies don't really follow this whole feed, be awake and play, have a long nap thing all the time. Just like us, sometimes they need a little snack and then a power nap. That's fine. If you would prefer to have less of the snacking and little naps, you just have to catch him before he gets too tired, so offer a feed earlier than you might when he's more awake. But honestly, it doesn't matter as long as you aren't withholding feeds to fit into some routine.

Can you feed at 12 so he is ready for his nap?