Hi, I've never posted on anything like this before - so hopefully it goes through! :)
First off, congrats on your new baby!
So, if the baby is genuinely waking up out of hunger - there are a few things that I think it could be:
First, you might want to try to assess if you have a satisfactory milk supply. If you are nursing as often as you say you are - you probably DO have a sufficient supply. However, you did not say if you supplement with formula or if the baby has been gaining enough weight, etc... etc...etc... But I will just assume that you do have a sufficient milk supply. Some thing to bring up, though.
Or second, and most likely the reason he nurses so much, is that you have a "small storage capacity". ***This is not a bad thing and it does not mean that you can not successfully breast feed your baby or meet your baby's needs***. You CAN meet your babies needs, and that is important to remember.
Most women do not understand how the breast actually works - a great book is: Breast Feeding Made Simple (ch. 6). I will try and explain how your "storage capacity" effects how often your baby nurses.
Your "breast storage capacity" simple refers to the amount of milk you can hold in your breasts. It is NOT related to breast size. Breast size is determined by the amount of fatty tissue in the breasts. This means that smaller-breasted mothers that have more room in their glandular tissue can still have a large storage capacity and hold large amounts of milk comfortably. THE KEY WORD IS: COMFORTABLY.
Mothers with large storage capacities report that their babies almost ALWAYS take ONE breast at a feeding. This is because the baby always gets enough milk from one breast to satisfy him. A large storage capacity can also have a major effect on the number of feedings per day. A baby's total daily milk intake remains remarkably stable from one to six months of age. At around one month, a breastfed baby reaches his peak daily milk intake of about 25-35 ounces of milk per day, and this stays roughly the same until he begins solid foods at six months and his need for milk decreases as his solids intake increases.
At one month, the average baby's stomach comfortably holds about 4 ounces of milk, so to get enough milk during the course of the day, he needs to breast feed on average about 8 times. (8 feedings x 4 oz = 32 oz/day).
A mother with a large storage capacity has more than 4 ounces available at each feeding, and as he baby grows, he may begin to take more milk, say 5 or 6 ounces, at a feeding. Since the amount of milk he needs in a day stays the same, if he increases his milk intake at feedings, his number of feedings per day will go down. In other words, the baby who previously needed to breast feed eight times per day to get 25-35 oz, now needs to feed only 6 times a day to get the same amount of milk.
The mother with a large storage capacity can go longer between feedings and let her breasts fill up more between feedings with out her milk drying up - because her breasts can hold more milk with out it feeling uncomfortable. So, the milk supply does not suffer due to the reduced number of feedings. Also, remember, everyone's milk supply ebbs and flows over the course of the day, so a baby will not always take the same amount of milk at every feeding. But hopefully this example clarifies this idea.
Taking more milk per feeding may also affect a baby's need to wake at night to feed. The baby who needs fewer feedings per day tends to sleep thought the night at an earlier age that other babies. Yet even with longer stretches between feedings at night, a mother with a large storage capacity may not become uncomfortably full by morning since her breasts comfortably hold more milk. This means she can maintain her milk supply in spite of these longer stretches.
Now lets look at a the other side of the coin. The most important point to remember is that women with a small storage capacity produce plenty of milk for their babies. Researchers noted that none of the women in their studies with a small storage capacity had a problem with low milk supply or slow weight gain in their babies; their babies were thriving. But these mother-baby pairs had a different feeding rhythm.
If the baby of a mother with an average storage capacity takes one breast at some feedings and both breasts at some feedings, what is typical for a mother with a small storage capacity? In general, these babies want both breasts at almost every feeding, especially by one month of age or so, when they can take more milk.
Lets say a mother with a small storage capacity can comfortably hold 2 oz in each breast. At one month, her baby needs to breast feed eith or nine times per day to get the 25-35 ox per day he needs (2 breasts X 2 oz X eight feedings = 32 oz per day). What is different, however, is that during months one through six, his milk intake per feeding will NOT change. Unlike the pair in which the mother has a large storage capacity, this mother's breasts hold 2 ounces apiece. So, no matter how big the baby's stomach gets, he will get no more than 4 oz per feeding.
A baby continues to need 25-35 oz per day. He can take a maximum of 4 oz per feeding. What will happen if his mother attempts to drop some feedings as he grows? (This is sometimes recommended on the premise that older babies don't "need" as many breastfeedings). Dropping feedings affects this baby in two ways:
1. The baby's overall milk intake per day goes down, because it is impossible for the baby to take more milk at each feeding to make up for the dropped feedings.
2. The mother's milk supply decreases.
With fewer feedings the baby's weight gain will likely slow or stop, he may even lose weight. A baby in this situation is underfed, which means he'll probably also be understandably fussy and unhappy. His sleep may suffer, as well.
The mother with a small storage capacity is also at risk for a decreased milk supply. Why? when a mother drops a feeding, this means the intervals between feedings increase. Remember, full breasts make milk slowly and drained breasts make milk quickly. (for more info on this buy the book - very interesting!!). A mother who's breasts can comfortably hold 2 oz will feel full very quickly in comparison with the mother whose breasts can comfortably hold 5 oz.
If she decides it's time to train her baby to sleep through the night and subsequently goes 7 or 8 hrs between feedings, her breasts will become hard and full after 4 or 5 hrs, not only does that put her at risk for mastitis, but her full breasts will mkae milk slowly, She gives her body the signal to slow down her milk production.
As long as a mother with a small storage capacity continues to feed her baby when the baby shows hunger cues and continues feeding enough times per day, her milk supply will be fine. (The exact number of feedings needed will vary according to individul storage capacity.) But if she stretches out the time between feedings or drops them to the point that her breasts feel full, her body will respond by producing less milk.
**** The mother with a small storage capacity is the mother whose baby continues to wake and breastfeed every few hours during the night. Continued night feedings are normal for this mother and baby. The baby needs them to get enough milk and the mother needs them to keep up her milk supply. If this mother has a breastfeeding goal of twelve months, she needs to plan to continue night feedings.
If you buy this book - you can get some great ideas on breastfeeding while lying down and co-sleeping. (pages 109-115).
I highly recommend having your baby in bed with you!! There are ways to do this safely. If you can manage to sleep with the baby there - it is the ideal arrangement for you to get your rest. Mother's sleeping away from their babies is a relatively new idea in the history of the world. Many mother's are nervous about suffocating their baby - however, if you take the proper precautions it is usually not something to worry about.
Good luck to you!! It just sounds like your baby is doing exactly what he needs to do to get enough milk and keep your supply going strong!! Continued night feedings is most likely your norm.
if you have any questions/comments here is my email address:
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