how to get baby to go longer between feeds

[manchester1]

Any tips?
Some times she goes 3.5/4 hrs but often she is screaming after 2/2.5 hrs...
its very time consuming.

 

[Eala]

If she is taking a decent amount each feed, then it sounds like that's just what she needs right now. You don't say how old your baby is? Young babies have small stomachs, so they need to eat little and often. Whilst this will gradually change as baby grows, it can be several months before they start going longer between feeds. Just depends on the baby. My older girl was a "snacker" and would tend to do the 2-2.5 hours between feeds thing. Then she just started gradually going longer, and settled into every 4 hours, on her own.

It is time consuming, yes, but that's part and parcel of having a baby, unfortunately! I'd say keep doing as you are doing, feeding on demand, and she will likely stretch things out herself in her own time.

 

[manchester1]

thanks for your reply. shes 6 weeks old.
i will keep feeding on demand...

i trying the next size up teats but she wasnt ready for them yet!

 

[vintage67]

I agree with Eala on the feeding on demand, especially at 6 weeks. How many ounces are you giving at once?

 

[socitycourty]

Mine will only take 3-4 oz but she eats every 2-3 hours. The doctor said just keep going with it. Even if you got her to take a lot she would just spit it back up

 

[HellBunny]

2 hours is actually pretty good for a 6 weeks old, especially if she sometimes goes longer, once she is older she will have more milk then space feeds out more. My LO is nearly 5 months and still feeds every 2 hours in the day but sleeps through now (around 12hrs without a feed at night)

 

[honeybee2]

Have you tried giving her water between feeds?

 

[vintage67]

I believe 6 weeks is too young for water without some underlying medical need and this seems to just be a hungry baby having a normal growth spurt.

 

[devon_91x]

My 8 week old has 4-5oz every 3 hours during the day, but at night she normally sleeps 8pm-3am, then 3.30-8am, so she goes alot longer at night. I agree that you need to just give her a bit of time to settle into her own routine.x

 

[devon_91x]

Also my HV told me to a small amount of water between feeds to make her go longer, but my LO wont have any of it ha!

 

[lozzy21]

Giving babys water between feeds to make they go longer is out dated advice and can stop your baby from getting the calories they need.

 

[manchester1]

thanks, dont think theres any need to give water.
hopefully shell get into her own routine soon, thankfully she is an easy baby and burps well and goes back to sleep easily!