Extending time between breastfeeds

[Sarah88]

Just wodnering if anyone has any ideas on how I can extend the time between Savannahs feeds? At the moment she only goes 2hrs between feeds during the day, and she'll start whinging 15mins before then. I went to work yesterday and she went 3.5hrs between her expressed feeds so I know she can go longer, and if we're out and about she'll also go longer. Even after I got home from work she went under 2hrs between feeds. She didn't seem to eat anymore after taking longer either.

We generally only have this problem when we're at home, and I don't want to resort to going out every day just so she'll go longer. I don't have a big problem with it, but my LC told me I should try to space them out a bit more, even 2.5hrs would be good!

So... Any ideas?

 

[ryder]

She likely gets more from the expressed feeds which is why she would be able to go longer. It is more work to feed off the breast, and alot of babies can get tired from having to feed, so they dont drink as much.

Im not sure what to suggest, because the only way you can try to go longer bettween feeds is to gradually increase the time, and see if she will feed more if you make her go longer.

 

[sam's mum]

She likely gets more from the expressed feeds which is why she would be able to go longer. It is more work to feed off the breast, and alot of babies can get tired from having to feed, so they dont drink as much.

Im not sure what to suggest, because the only way you can try to go longer bettween feeds is to gradually increase the time, and see if she will feed more if you make her go longer.

I was going to say the same - Sam always used to go a bit longer between feeds when he was having bottles because I'd always pump in the morning when my breasts were really full and I think he was having more. Being distracted by looking around at things while they're out also might make them focus on things other than milk for a little while and they'll wait a bit longer, but 2 hours between feeds is completely normal. Until Sam was 6 months and on 3 meals a day I would be feeding him about every 2 hours. He did get faster at feeding and fall asleep less during feeds though so I did find I had more time to get things done in between x

 

[moomin_troll]

have u tried a dummy? wen i was bf ( i didnt do it long) if i needed a break id stick a dummy in n it wud sooth zane for atleast 2 hours

 

[Sarah88]

She doesn't take a dummy. But she'll also go longer while we're out and about, this is without expressed milk... Good to hear that Sam was the same though. Feel better now

 

[sam's mum]

How long does each feed last? Sam used to take about 30-40 minutes for a long time, and then suddenly went down to about 5-10 minutes when he realised there were more interesting things he could be doing! It does get a million times better when you're not stuck on the sofa for most of the day x

 

[Sarah88]

Generally only for about 10-15 mins, which is good

 

[marley2580]

It's all about distraction. Kaya always went for ages between feeds when we were out and about because there were loads of interesting things to look at. At home though, it's not as interesting. I think you'll be stuck feeding when she wants until she's old enough for you to say 'in a minute' or you're able to distract her.

 

[freckleonear]

I agree with Marley, it's all about distraction. Aaron used to want feeding every two hours when we were at home, but would go for three or even four hours if we were out. Personally I found that trying to distract him at home was more effort than just feeding him, so he got fed every two hours until quite recently.

 

[Mervs Mum]

Hebe is the same at home - around every 2 hours unless she's sleeping. We get longer when were out too or from bottles. I try not to see it as a bad thing. I'd rather she was awake more, interacting and learning than zonked out asleep - thats how my LC put it. I really dont mind the freqent feeds at home but I might feel different if she wasnt sleeping at least 7 hrs each night.

What about having a day or 2 where you pump loads after or inbetween feeds to get your supply to the max then you might find you have that bit more to give at feeding time?? I've been pumping to get some bottles stored as I need to leave her for the next 2 saturday mornings so my supply has increased and a pleasant side effect seems to have been going a bit longer between some (not all) feeds. Dunno if thats worth a shot??

x

 

[Sarah88]

Thats an idea thanks Mervs mum I find it a good excuse not to do much at home if she's feeding every 2hrs. My LC just said to try space it out a bit more, and like you guys, I find it more trouble than it's worth trying to distract her rather than feed her.

 

[Mervs Mum]

Thats an idea thanks Mervs mum I find it a good excuse not to do much at home if she's feeding every 2hrs. My LC just said to try space it out a bit more, and like you guys, I find it more trouble than it's worth trying to distract her rather than feed her.

Here, here!!