I am exclusively breastfeeding my 16 week old baby girl. I started her on a routine from day 1 where she would eat, play, then sleep. It worked great and her feeding ranged from 2-3 hours as they were supposed to. She also started sleeping through the night very early on.
Well, now her naps and wake periods are long enough that this routine only calls for 4-5 feedings in a day. I assume she is getting enough as she'll take 6oz when my husband gives her the bottle of pumed milk. She also doesn't wake up at night anymore for a feeding and sleeps about 10 hours.
My only concern is that everything I read says they should be getting 6-8 feedings a day. Is this true? Should I even worry or just continue with her routine as is.
It works well for me as I work part time and have a hard time pumping more than 2 times a day.
Sounds great to me. If I recall right, my boys were doing just 4-5 feedings a day. Neither had any growth problems from not getting enough. (One did due to other problems, but not lack fo food.) If she's growing well and you have a schedule that works well for everyone, I see no need to change it. Be grateful you have such a great system! Congratulations!
My advice...ditch the books! You should really feed your baby when she is giving you hunger cues. A good sign that she is getting enough is if she is producing plenty of wet/dirty diapers. A loose schedule is good so that she has an idea of what to expect throughout her day but not a good idea for feeding. She should be telling you when she is hungry-not the clock.
I think that if she's happy and is gaining weight the way she is supposed to, there's nothing wrong with what you're doing. If she's not gaining weight, I would consider adding a feeding or two somewhere. Will she take more than the 6oz per feeding? Most of what you read about babies are a strongly suggested guideline, not rules written in stone. Every child is different and you need to find what works for your baby best. Seems to me like you're doing a pretty good job!
I think so long as she is gaining weight and content that you should count your blessings! One thing I would like to say is that her routine and sleeping paterns will change as she continues to grow, she may sleep through the night know and not need as many feedings but as she hits growth spurts and teething her schedule will go out the window. But for know everything sounds good!
This is pretty much what others have said, but with breastfeeding it's "on demand". It is better to listen to your baby. I think the books are just guidelines and some babies will eat more and some less. I think you're fine as long as she's growing and seems satisfied. Sounds like you have a great little baby!!
WOW, congrats on the great sleeper!!! I would check with the doctor and see how she is on her size. If she is growing well and has plenty of wet diapers, I would say she is probably getting enough. As long as you feed her when she asks, I wouldn't wake her to feed her. If you are worried, you could try offering her the breast more often. Or you could try to start cereal if you feel she is ready...they say anytime between 4-6 months.
I say you're a very lucky mama! If she's gaining weight, looks good and isn't overly fussy you've got a great baby. Remember, not all babies meet the "norms" set up by the medical field. Also know, her current trends may change with each growth spurt. Our baby would settle into a routine with sleeping and eating and then at 6 mo, 18 mo and now almost 2 she's changed again. You're doing great!!!
That is wonderful to hear, that your little girl is doing so well. My son is the same way! I think the book that you read is the same one that I have. It is a 4-7 feedings a day. If you are only breastfeeding then six or seven. If she starts rice cereal (talk with your pediatrician first) then three will be supplemented with cereal. Breastfeed then offer cereal. With all this said, read your baby. If she doesn't do well on this schedule, she may not be ready for it yet and you can gradually adjust. There is nothing wrong with the schedule your on.
You are doing a great job, I have gotten a lot of criticism for not doing demand feeding only. The eat, wake, sleep method has worked so well for me and a lot of other people I know. My child is not starving and he is on a 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 hour schedule. He sleeps all night, and has been since seven weeks. He is three months old and weighs 16lbs. His eat, wake, sleep pattern changes. He right now doesn't want to nurse that long, and is dropping feedings on his own.
Hope this helps!!
