Sleep & Feeding

S.,
Awesome job breastfeeding! So, so good for your son, and you too.

You can increase your milk with Fenugreek and Blessed Thistle combined (I buy them separate). Mother's milk tea will help also to increase your supply.

He is only 4 months, he's still enjoying the wonderful immunity benefits (he'll have fewer runny/stuffy noses thanks to you, as well as fewer other sicknesses). The more he suckles the more milk you will produce. The more you supplement, the less you will produce.

Good Luck, and congratulations!
M.

http://breastfeedingonline.com/newman.shtml

The expert Dr. Weissbluth says.....
http://billiediscoverytoys.blogspot.com/2008/09/sleep-beg...

Most babies this age take 2 naps a day, but thats average. Follow his lead. You'll be able to tell when he's getting tired and when a nap is needed. As far as the nursing goes,
babies SHOULD nurse for comfort and use you for a pacifier. The pacifier was molded after Mother's breast to comfort baby when Mother is not available. Your baby should have unrestricted access to your breast. Comfort suckling is necessary in addition to normal eating to maintain a supply that is sufficient for your babe. By denying him this, you are dooming yourself to a low supply. Many women have been able to nurse fully off of one breast and you should be no different! He doesnt need formula and solids. As long as you make yourself available to nurse on demand, you WILL make enough milk. If there is any doubt you are not, there are herbs and medications that can help. Contact me for more info, if you're interested. I would also recommend holding off on the solids. He is much too young and his system cant fully process them. The AAP recommends solids not be started until 6 months because of the risk of allergies and several digestive issues. Here is a link that describes why delaying solids to 6 months is beneficial. Good luck!
http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/solids/delay-solids.html
If you need help getting back on track with nursing, message me. I am certified in breastfeeding counseling.

Dear S.,

Sorry I can't help with the breastfeeding question I didn't nurse. As far as schedule I would try maybe an earlier bedtime if possible. Studies show that when children are put to sleep earlier they have a more restful sleep. When babies are put to bed later even though we may miss the signs they can become overtired, therefore creating a restless sleep. It was strange I would think when my kids had more activity they would sleep like rocks and it was always the opposite. The rainy days that we stayed in and had less activity you would assume they wouldn't be tired and they would sleep the best. Makes no sense but it was true. My kids usually slept from 7 - 7 with two naps a day until around a year then they transitioned to one long nap. Four months is still young so he may require that short third nap around 5 or so my daughter did that for a short while just a half hour nap then. That was my time to prepare dinner so I didn't mind. And it didn't affect her normal bedtime. I would maybe try each night do a half hour earlier until you can get to around 7 and see if that helps. Then once you get to that schedule do a morning nap around 9 and then another after lunch and until older maybe a little cat nap around 5. As far as giving cereal and formula I am old school my kids both had cereal at 2 months old and they grew up fine they are now 24 and 19. I know this is an ongoing debate with moms on this forum however each week studies change and what was good then is not good now, and in a few years what is good now wont be acceptable, so I go with what my gut says and what works for my family. If your baby is hungry feed him just try things slowly and do the same food for a few days so you can determine allergies or any stomach discomfort. Good luck with your son and I am sure things will all fall into place for you and your son!!

Hey S.,
I read that a four month is just starting to get into normal sleeping paterns (Helathy Sleep Habits, Happy Child, great book) so he will guide you along the way. I wold start trying to put him down a little earlier at night, try 6 or 6:30, but do it gradually. I know ou didn't ask about that, but that will help ou out with the nap situation. I can tell you that when my son was four months he was still being breastfed so he woke at least twice a night to eat, but also napped twice during the day. I would put him down for his first nap between 9am and 10am and then his second nap between 12-1pm. Sometimes he would even take a little cat nap in the late afternoon right before bed.

Now my son is 7 months and on formula and 3 meals a day. He goes to bed at 6pm, wakes at 5am for a bottle, sleeps until 7am, takes a nap at 9am until 11am, then takes a second nap at 1:30 until 3pm. You don't have to be strict about the times, but try to keep it as consistant as possible, babies love routine. Good Luck.