Dreamfeed

[newbymum]

Hi Pinky

I have just started on the 'Save our Sleep' routines and am having troble getting my six week old to feed during the dreamfeed. Wouldn't it be easier if I just woke him up and fed him properly? He will only feed for 10 mins and then refuse more (normally at least half an hour).

Thanks
Thea

[Pinky McKay]

hi Thea,

I personally have a problem with rigid feeding routines for such young babies - little babies have very small stomach capacities and mothers have individual differences in milk storage capacity - these 2 factors affect how often a baby may need to feed. Besides dont you eat and drink when you feel hungry or thirsty? Sometimes a meal and sometimes a snack depending on the weather and your own activity levels.

Also, development of breast tissue - Prolactin receptors - continues for around 3 months after birth so if you plan to continue breastfeeding, it is wiser to follow your babys cues to feed rather than a clock to wnhance this development and your ultimate milk production postential - which of course will mean that you baby is able to go longer between feeds as he grows.

In my work as a lactation consultant I see many mothers whose milk supply has been reduced by adherence to Rigid feeding regimes.

Although, for some babies a dreamfeed can work to help their sleep coincide with your own, this doesnt always work. Your baby may simply not be hungry at this time of night -if he is sleeping contentedly, why not get some sleep yourself?

It is also helpful to learn and respect youir baby's hunger cues -as well as his tired signs and subtle cues that he wants to interact or that he is bored so that you arent trying to poke food into him when he may want to play; making hime sleep when he is hungry, for instance.

I describe how you can read your baby's body language in my book Sleeping Like a Baby -I suggest you take a look at this too and see that there are easier ways to help your baby sleep that wont potentially affect breastfeeding.

Sweet dreams,
Pinky
www.pinky-mychild.com (http://www.pinky-mychild.com)