BF Moms - time between feeds extended

Hi, DD is EBF and is 9 weeks old. She is usually very regular going 3 hours between feeds like clockwork. Although thinking back, I also fed her every 3 hours whether she was crying or not. This week she has been going past 3 hours. Either she will sleep through (but previously woke up) or she will be awake and not show any signs of hunger at all. Is this normal for this age? just a phase?

She is already only given 7 feedings a day. Now her times between feedings are going longer and she is spending less time on the boob (10mins or less). She is still pooping 4 times a day but I know soon this will taper off and i wont be able to recognize whether or not I am feeding her enough or whether its just nature taking its course.

I was wondering if any moms had anything similar happen...should i continue to feed 3 hours or just go by the signs of the baby? Im also afraid my milk supply is going to dwindle at this rate. TIA!

Re: BF Moms - time between feeds extended

I would continue to feed every three hours during the day till about 4 months - then see if she can spread them out during the day herself - every 4 is so much easier as BTDT bf mom

i would not wake at night - let her wake you

Re: BF Moms - time between feeds extended

Loey was every 2 hours at the very beginning, then 2.5-3.

He didn't move to every 4 hours until he was STTN at just over 6 months old.

Everyone has different opinions on feeding. You'll hear "never wake a sleeping baby" or you'll hear people tell you to keep the baby on a schedule.

We did a bit of both. In the beginning, we kept him on a schedule, then once we were happy with his weight gain, we did more of an "on-demand" feeding schedule which included numerous periods of "cluster feeding" which helped my supply.

If it's too long between feedings for you, you can always pump! That's a good way to build up your supply. You can try to pump 1 hour after a feeding this way you stimulate your breasts to produce more mlik and you also know that by the time the next feeding comes, your breasts will be nice and full again for the baby

Re: BF Moms - time between feeds extended

i wouldn't concern myself with the amount of time being spent on the boob, your DC is just becoming a more efficient eater and doesn't need to spend a long time eating.

with that being said, i think my DD was moving to eating every 2.5-3hrs at that point. currently we're moving to eating every 3hrs 15mins, and hope to be at 3.5 hrs next week. its a slow process for us. she eats 5 times a day now at 5mos.

i don't believe in not waking a sleeping baby. i woke my dd to eat during the day, but let her wake me at night. this helped her figure out the difference between day and night, and learned to go longer between feedings at night. she began STTN 8hrs at 1month old.

ETA: as long as your DD is gaining weight and having at least 6 peepee diapers and 2 poop diapers, she is getting enough food.

Message edited 9/3/2010 9:46:29 AM.

Re: BF Moms - time between feeds extended

DS usually ate every 3 hours as a newborn. By 3 months, he started going 3-4 hours between feedings. It didn't affect my supply, especially since he was still waking several times at night to nurse. As long as DC is gaining weight, I wouldn't worry.