My son is 7 weeks and as a newborn I was nursing at least every 3 hrs, or more if required. Now that he is 7 weeks how many feedings do they need a day? He's at about 8. He seems to be able to go 4 hrs during the day in between feedings, maybe longer but I usually just wake him and feed him at that point. However, he's only going 2.5-3 hrs at night between feedings. I'd like him to go longer at night. So should I try and feed him every 3 hrs during the day, hoping he'll sleep longer at night? Or is he old enough to be fed when we wants during the day?
Hi Dear, what work for me is a warm bath at 10:00 P.M. and the last bottler warm with cereal. ( only at night since they are so small)
my little one would wake up at 5:00 A.M. or 6:00 A.M.
If you are doing fine with being up during the night, then let him be. If you would like to get him switched around a bit, try to feed him more frequently dring the day, particularly in the evening before bed. 8-10 times daily is very normal feeding schedule.
I nursed my daughter every 2-3 hrs for the first 6 mths until she started solid foods. I would never wake her up at night but she normally woke up 2 hrs from the time I started feeding her before. The only way I was able to get any sleep was to put her in bed with us so she could nurse and I would fall asleep. Unless you are giving your baby formula he will need to nurse this often until he gets solid foods. I wouldn't worry he sounds totally normal.
Those long nights are hard aren't they! However, for a 7 week old nursling, frequent night nursing is still the norm. Have you thought of some options to help you feel more rested? Maybe hubby could bring him to you in the bed, then take him back when you are done nursing. Or you could have him co-sleep with you, or put your crib as a sidecar to the bed.
I also recommend calling or coming to La Leche League. They have really helped me. We have a meeting tomorrow at 10. Check out llllakeland.com or call ###-###-#### it is a recording which will give you local leaders numbers.
the babys body knows best on what he needs. The healthiest for him is to eat when hes ready as often as hes ready. soon he will likely start sleeping longer through the night. (usually happens around 10-12 weeks ) all babies vary though. he has a very small stomach so its better for him to feed often instead of more volume but less often. it helps in digestion. If you have more questions you can check out my website www.palmbeachdoula.com and go to be informed, then scroll to the bottom and go to breastfeeding information. or email me at ____@____.com
Hi M.,
Dr. Sears "The Baby Book" has wonderful nursing advice. He agrees with some of the other moms who say "tank the baby up during the day with feedings." I have found his book VERY useful with other issues that come up. There are some La Leche meetings in Brandon go to theie website. http://www.lalecheleague.org Your older daughter would have fun at the daytime meeting as their are usually kids running ALL over. Congrats on the little one!
I have a two year old and a six week old, And I had the same problem at night with my first one and I found that at night he slept longer if I played music. Like the baby einstiens lullaby CD. I think he liked the noise during the day which helped him sleep better and then with the silence at night any little noise seemed to startle him. So the low soothing backround noise helped. DOn't know if it will work with your little one but it's worth a try. Hope I was a little bit helpfull.
Hi,
my son is almost 5 months, and he started sleeping through the night at around 7 to 8 weeks, but thats only cuz I fed him more in the day time and alot right before bed, he was nursing 8 to 10 times a day back then. finally he started sleeping from 9pm till 7 am when he was 10 weeks old.
now he nurses about 7 times a day and still sleeps through the night. sorry I couldnt be more help to you.
J.
At this age he shoudl be able to give cues as to when he'a hungry. It is a good idea not to let him go longer than about 4-5 hours during the day( see how long before he lets you know he's hungry), but if he sleeps through the night then that's great! You should try it for a night and see if he actually goes all night before waking you up for a feed.
With my two I kinda let them decide when they wanted to eat (watch the baby not the clock idea) especially this young.
Having said that, I know how trying it is to be up frequently at night, and can only imagine that it's worse if you're a working mom.
If you can try to cluster feed at night (several feedings close together) before bedtime this may help with the hunger issue. However, it may not necessarily be hunger that's waking him up. He may be lonely.
You could try NOT feeding him for one of the night feedings. Instead, cuddle him or just rub his back. The first few nights you do this he may wake up even more often because he's expecting to be nursed, and he will be a little confused. But he may get over it and start sleeping through that one feeding.
I wouldn't cut out more feedings than that one at this point, just because breast milk is designed to be digested easily because baby's system needs food that is easily broken down. But because it's digested so easily it is digested quickly and therefore breast fed babies generally take more frequent feedings.
One idea you could try, and I think this is a last resort idea, is pump the first morning milk and save it for just before bed. The first morning milk usually has a higher fat count and is more filling and lasts longer than the night milk (because you're more rested then).
Then pump the night milk for a daytime feeding (so you don't skip any feedings and your body continues to produce.)
Pumping is NOT as effective at generating a milk demand as a baby is, so I do not recommend this be a long term solution.
Just a thought.
H.
M.,
I found that with how much newborns sleep during the day, they tend to prolong the time in between feedings making up for it during the night. If my daughter slept past 3 hours during the day, I usually tried to stir her so she wouldn't wake/feed so much at night, but if she was sleeping through the night, I did not wake her. Unfortunately, you and your babe may have to establish a new routine.
V. S, Lakeland
