Breast Feeding timings

[MammaStorm]

Hi All

Im in the trenches with my newborn and I am trying to breastfeed every 2/3 hours but I’m m getting conflicting information on when the 2/3 hour timer starts.

if you start feeding at 3pm and finish at 3:20pm and you want to feed again in 2 hours would that be 5pm or 5:20pm?

I know this is a stupid question but people are telling me different things and my anxiety wants me to get this right so baby is putting on good weight and is healthy!

help my brain has left the building

From start of feed so 5pm. Are there worries about their weight/were they premature? I have a 4.5 week old and apart from the first few days (she exceeded birth weight at day 5) I just feed her when she shows cues. Sometimes it’s an hour between feeds and sometimes it’s 5.

I was also told from the start of the feed. But seriously, just go with the flow. Baby crying? Milk.

The advice now is to feed responsively IE in response to your babies cues or rooting, lip smacking etc. Crying is a very late sign so try not to get to that as it makes it harder to latch. Babies feed for hunger, thirst, to get to sleep, to calm down, you can't overfeed a breastfed baby so I really wouldn't bother timing feeds on an app, it makes it hard work. Offer the breast when your baby signals that they might want to feed, or when your breasts feel full. The more you feed the more milk you make. "Watch the baby not the clock". As long as weight gain and output is ok ie from day 6 of life 6 wet nappies and 2 poos or more a day you're doing fine.
The breastfeeding network and kellymom are good websites to look at which are informative and evidence based.

The minimum amount should be 8-10 feeds in 24 hours, feeds will vary in length from a couple of minutes to around 30 mins. Cluster feeding is also very normal...good excuse for getting your feet up and the TV on!

From the start pf the feed.

Has baby regained birthweight? Once theybhave done so you don't really have to watch the clock. As long asyou're getting on 8+ feeds a day and getting wet nappies all is fine. If they are hungry they will start to fuss - offer a feed. If they are particularly sleepy, change nappy first and then feed, pause to burp when theycslow down then put them back to same boob (to make sure they get plenty of the fattier home milk).

Do you have particular concerns? Generally only preemie babies need to be woken for scheduled feeds beyond 5 days or so unless they are unusually sleepy or there are complications.