BF snacker - how can I get her to take a full feed?

[Tapster]

My daughter is nearly 3 months old and is exclusively BF . She is such a snacker. She wakes up and often we play for a bit then BF, then she plays a bit more and is tired (yawns alot, and needs sleep after being awake after 1.5hours) - she will not sleep then unless I BF. If I'm out and about she will fall asleep after 5mins of crying it out gently in her pram, if she gets hysterical I just feed her. It is really restricting my life as it feels like there is no spacing out of feeds so I find it difficult for us to go out - today I had to feed her in the Tesco car park, yesterday on a park bench. I have been trying to go out and about to try and distract her from feeding but no luck so far. Getting lots of criticism from family and friends that "I am always feeding her". She was 14lbs at 11 weeks so quite a big girl. Help. Lizx

Tapster, my DD is like this and is almost 5 months. I wouldn't worry about any of the criticism you are getting from so called friends or family. You are doing a great job giving your baby the best start in life and they should be supporting you. I got completely bogged down with the idea of a routine at about 3 months and wanted to impose a strict 3/4 hour feeding schedule which I felt sure would lead to wonderful long naps and long nights full of lovely sleep. All I achieved was stressing myself out completely because my DD wouldn't play ball with my idea of routine. All I can advise is just go with it. She could be going through a growth spurt or just a little and often kind of baby. Either way, just get on with your day. If she needs to feed, feed her. If you're concerned about doing it in public, scout a few places where you can do it with a bit of privacy but don't restrict your activities else you'll end up resentful. Try and enjoy it because it doesn't last forever and she'll be weaning before you know it and you'll miss it. (My LO is a big girl to but I'm not sure there's any relationship with how often they feed because they'll have bigger tummies and can therefore take on more. I think it's just the way they are.) People will probably tell you that you should wean her early for that reason too which is nonsense so you do what is right for you and your lovely daughter and ignore other people. Good luck.

good advice from the ninja....its nobody elses bloody business and how dare they comment FFS.
baby knows when baby wants feeding, no other bugger does, even the momma!!

I fed dd every 2 or 3 or 4 hours depending on the cycle of the moon, I think!!!!!!!1

Just enjoy it, and make allowance in your time for it, now my dd is 7mths old Iknow there is not much bf time left and I will really miss it, my best advice is have a good book to read while you feed, and stay relaxed. she will slowly develop the facial muscles etc to build the stamina to be able to feed for longer.