How often should I be feeding?

[dans2209]

I have a two week old baby who I am breastfeeding.She is growing well and is a content baby.I am feeding her every three hours in the day but am finding that I am waking her to feed and by the time I feed and put her to sleep its almost time to feed again.Just wondering if feeing them every four hours is ok or should I feed her when she wakes.At night she usually has feeds every four hours.Some advice would be great!

[Tam-I-Am]

I wouldn't be waking her to feed - or feeding on a schedule. My advice would be to stop looking at the clock. It doesn't really matter how long it is between feeds, what matters is if your baby is hungry :)

It sounds like you're doing a great job if she's so contented and growing well, anyway - but please remember that just like adults don't feed on a schedule (we have unscheduled snacks, meals at odd times etc) - babies can do that too, they don't get hungry on cue.

I'd just be offering the breast anytime she's awake ATM, if she wants it, she'll feed, if not, she wont.

HTH :)

[punkbaby]

I agree with Tam-I-Am, let her tell you when shes hungry. My bubs used to have periods of the day where she would feed every 2 hours or hang off me for an hour then she wouldnt wake for 4 hours, sometime 5 hours. I pretty much just offered her boobs each time she was awake and still do now (shes 8 weeks now)

Sounds like your doig a great job :) she will let you know when shes hungry and eventually you will find your boobs do too lol, mine tingle when its nearlly time for her next now so i know its nearly time for her to wake :)

[dragonflyblu]

I would agree, follow bubs not the clock. However, be aware that in the next few weeks she will wake up more. So the feeds will increase alot. Dont be surprised if you are feeding every 30 minutes for 2 hours or feeding every hour. It changes so quickly.

[ikis84]

Some babies do need to be woken for a feed - if they have a medical problem, underweight etc. If there are no medical problems etc then I wouldn't wake unless she slept longer than 4 hours during the day... you don't want her to start to sleep in big lots during the day, and be waking every hour at night.

I didn't have that problem though, my DD demand fed every 2 hours (or less) around the clock for the first few months.

[dans2209]

:flowerz:thanks for all the advice.she had her 1st 6 hour sleep last night and had a huge feed this morning.Ill cross my fingers she continues to stay a good baby.