BF moms - stretching out time between feedings

LittleMissGreenEyes

I feel like a milk machine. Since Finn got sick two weeks ago we've pretty much been on an eat every hour and a half schedule all day/night long. Before he was sick we were almost to three hour stretches.

He's still fairly congested but seems back to normal, is there any way to stretch out the time between feedings? I'm losing it and with him eating all the time and thrush I'm a little overwhelmed. I follow the eat-play-sleep routine and that is working great but the sleep isn't lasting long enough for either of us.

I don't want him to starve but at the same time I feel like most other 8 week olds are in a better routine and the time between feedings is much longer. I'm not sure how many more nights I have in me and I really don't want to give up the BFing.

schoolsoutbride

There's a 6week growth spurt that he might be hitting.

I just always try to encourage them to eat a little more at each sitting.  

But mine still average more like 2.5 hour stretches. 

Mrs.Greeko

Eh my three month old still eats every 1.5 -2 hours.  I figure eating often is good for my supply and keeping AF away so it doesn't bother me in the least.  Not sure you can do a whole lot to change it.

ckolak

I agree that he may be in a growth spurt. I would only recommend trying to get him to eat more in one sitting. FWIW babies do things on their own schedules, especially at such a young age. You can also try laying him down again when he wakes up, maybe give him a paci or nurse for just a quick moment and see if he'll go back to sleep. Since he was doing longer stretches, I think he should be able to go back to them. Good luck, and fortunately it doesn't last forever!

DownToEarthGirl

I'm not sure this is good advice, but can you nurse laying down yet?  Maybe try this right now b/c it saved me from many sleepless crazy nights - lay on your side and let baby Finn nurse and see if you can tuck your lower arm under the pillow and then wrap your top arm around him to help him find the nipple.  It really was a lifesaver when I was so completely tired.

Also - have you tried a road trip right before he wants to nurse again when you know he could have slept longer a few weeks before.  A little car ride to lull him back to sleep so he gets out of the cycle might help.  Even better if your DH is driving and you can just stay home and nap.

 

ckolak

DownToEarthGirl:

I'm not sure this is good advice, but can you nurse laying down yet?  Maybe try this right now b/c it saved me from many sleepless crazy nights - lay on your side and let baby Finn nurse and see if you can tuck your lower arm under the pillow and then wrap your top arm around him to help him find the nipple.  It really was a lifesaver when I was so completely tired.

Also - have you tried a road trip right before he wants to nurse again when you know he could have slept longer a few weeks before.  A little car ride to lull him back to sleep so he gets out of the cycle might help.  Even better if your DH is driving and you can just stay home and nap.

 

 

YES! We still do this, and DD is almost 10 months old. This is the only way I get to sleep. She also sleeps better with me, and has even STTN twice that way. 

micaela421

It's looks like a growth spurt, I had that issues with Allie, I went to an LC cause i was so ready to give up cause I was tired:-( and she has  helped me a lot and another important resource that I got from her was the free lactation support group that we go every tues cause it made me feel im not a alone and learn great tips for STTN,latch and breast care.  

ruby soho

Do you pump at all? Could DH give him a bottle of expressed milk at night to give you a break? I think I would lose it if I was solely responsible for feeding that often. LO eats every 2 hours or less during the day typically (3oz bm bottles) but can go 8 hours at night without eating so I figure she makes up the calories during the day eating so often 

andrealynn0707

I think around his age was when we could finally start side-lying nursing, and DTEG is right, it seriously saved me. I'd try that if you can.