How Often Should I Be Breastfeeding?

A seven month old needs to be sleeping at night, not eating. Read "Babywise" for good baby schedules, but take it with a grain of salt. Some people take these ideas way to far.

I BF on demand and he pretty much ate every 3 hours or so even after I introduced solids at six months. At about 9 months when he was eating more solids (I started VERY slow with solids) he cut back on 1-2 feedings, then about a month later even more and this cycle continued as the more solids he ate. Until a year BM/formula should be their main food source still so I would just BF when she seems like she needs it until then, but that's just me.

Don't worry about the number of times, just nurse everytime she wants to or just wants comfort. Some days I nurse 10 times with 5 more times at night! The only thing a baby NEEDS during their first year is breastmilk, no solids needed at all. So breastfeed away! Nutritionally, breastfeeding exclusively year one and adding in only fruits and vegetables (with still lots of breastfeeding) year two is the most superior way to go!
But if you're looking for a norm... maybe 6-8 times a day??

I would just follow her lead. At that age I want to say it was 3-4 times a day and no night feeding. But I know there were occassions that I had to feed my daughter at night. And at one year she weaned herself. It was so weird to me! But I followed her lead the whole time we breastfed so she knew what her body was craving/needing. I think you are probably doing just fine. And its up to you and your baby if you want night feedings or not. If its not bothering you to be up at night and you both feel its needed, don't stop till you are both ready. Great job on breastfeeding!!

It depends entirely on the child. I was nursing about the same as you are when my youngest son was that age and he continued at about that rate until he was about 9 months, then we gradually dropped a feeding every couple months, so that by the time he was two, we were only nursing at bedtime. He didn't give that up until he was well over two and after that we nursed very infrequently until he was over 3. Every baby is different, just like every person eats during the day with varying frequencies and various amounts.

It sounds like you're doing fine and are very aware of her cues - as long as she's healthy and happy and gaining weight at a consistent rate, you are doing great!

First, congrats to you for continuing to breastfeed!! The answer to your question is quite simple, just continue to feed as often as your daughter wants to :) It is all about supply and demand. As long as the both of you are interested in it, then let her lead you on the frequency. It is such a wonderful bonding experience and the longer you nurse, the better her health and wellness will be! Continue to enjoy this time, and be proud of what you are doing for her :)

I nursed my sweetie until 15 months. She started solids at 6 months and nursed four times a day until 13 months, then dropped down to two, one, and then weaned herself at 15 months. One thing to remember is to always nurse your baby BEFORE giving solids so your milk supply will stay up. So many people feed solids first and then don't understand why their milk supply diminishes. When baby fills up on food, there is no room for milk. Your milk is the best food right now, so protect your supply. GOOD FOR YOU for nursing!! You are making a lifetime investment in your child!

At that age, I was still bfing my daughter about 4-5 times a day and none at night. She was still getting up a few times every night at 6 months and I decided to let her try crying it out. It worked after about two nights. So, then she started waking around 5 am, I'd breastfeed her and put her back to bed for a few hours and then we'd start our day. Cereal for breakfast, bf before nap, fruit/veggies for lunch, bf before second nap, meat/veggies for dinner, bf before bed. If her schedule was off or she seemed to want to bf for some reason, I let her. She's 11 months now and at 10 months, I decided she didn't need to eat at 5 am anymore, so I let her cry it out again. Now she doesn't usually wake until about 7:30 am and she bfs 3 times a day.

At my daughter's 9 month pedi appointment, the Dr. asked how much milk/food she was getting every day, and I estimated about 20 oz of milk and 20 oz of food. She said that was perfect. My daughter is little bitty though (16 lbs at 9 month check-up), so your baby might need more.

Good luck!
Hilary

Just when ever he wanted. We still nurse at 2 years and I still do it the same way. There are times when teeth are coming in or he's got something bugging him where he nurses constantly. Other days he's busy playing and its only 2 or 3 times a day. We co-sleep and he still nurses several times most nights as well, though he pretty well does that on his own and only sometimes do I really wake completely for it.

For the first year of life breastmilk should be her primary source of nutrition, nurse first, then offer food.

Kudos to you for wanting to go to a year. Ever thought about going 2 years? :-) It will be beneficial to both of ya'll.
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/bfextended/index.html
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/bfextended/ebf-benefits.html

hi danita! i started my little one on solids at six months and i bf her following each meal. i also bf her first thing in the morning and right before bedtime. as i introduced more and more food, she bf less and less, so she's slowly weaning herself. i use a book called super baby food, it's awesome. it talks about how much your child should be eating at each month, foods to introduce, along with tons of other stuff. hope this helps!

Both my boys took to solid foods really well, and didn't need much milk after that. I nursed them both for a year (my youngest actually 13 months). I would nurse morning and night, and usually once in the afternoon until they were 9-10 months and then they didn't even need that feeding as much. Hope that helps!

At that point, I nursed my son about 3 times a day, with one bottle of formula (I couldn't pump, so he had 1 bottle while at daycare). When he was about 5 months (I don't remember when, maybe it was 6 months) I cut out the night feedings. His pedi said they weren't necessary at this point. As long as she's urinating and pooping plenty, then you're probably doing fine!

If she is gaining weight well I would nix the nighttime feedings. Twice at night at 7 months old is not necessary. Even once at night if she is gaining well is not needed. You must be exhausted!!! Of course, always consult your pediatrician about this, they know the norms and the rate at which your baby is growing and can give you better advice on this stuff. good luck.

What you are doing sounds great. But does your daughter let you know when she wants to nurse? You could teach her a sign or something. That would be the best guide.

I BF my second son until he was 7 mos old then started foods very slowly. he is now 9 mos old. i BF him b/f bkfst, b/f naps (2), and before bedtime. he also still nurses at night. it is on demand. he used to drink 1 bottle a day but now he refuses to drink from anything but a sippy cup and tolerates formula. he is now getting 3 meals a day plus BF. he is 23 lbs. he just pulls on my shirt or says MaMa when he wants to BF.
my oldest son weaned himself at 10 mos. just wasn't interested in BF anymore.

That's just about right. By the time she's about 9 months, she should be down to about 3 daytime feedings, and the rest can come with meals. I was at about 5 feedings at 7 months old unless she was teething, and then it seemed like it was every hour!
Keep it up! It sounds like you're doing a great job as mommy!

My daughter is 14 months old and nurses 2-3 times a day and twice at night. At 7 months old she was nursing 4-5 times a day and 2-3 times at night. We co-sleep, so it has never been a problem to nurse at night; I barely wake up! :-)