Is this realistic?

[KJunkie]

Is it realistic to put a baby on a feeding schedule? Now, this may seem like a stupid question. But this is my first baby and I really just don't know ...

Also, what do you consider when making a feeding schedule? Thanks for any help...

 

[mommyof3co]

I personally think it's not....only because especially those first few months...there is so much change. They go from sleeping almost all day long and feeding every 2-3hrs, to being more alert, eating a bigger amount and going further between feeds. Lots of little growth spurts, bigger ones. It all changes so much those first few months I really think the best thing to do is feed on demand. They do eventually set their own routine, just follow their cues and you will figure it out.

 

[Tegans Mama]

I agree that it isn't realistic to put a baby under 6 months on any schedule at all. I thought I should put T on a schedule and I tried many times and failed miserably. From about 6 months on though, she fell into her own natural schedule.

 

[kirsten1985]

Yeah I agree, it changes too much, I think feeding on demand is best for the first 6 months or so (I will only ever feed on demand) eventually they fall into their own routine. You may find baby does this sooner than you think!

 

[sazzyb1985]

hiya my lo has been in a routine since she was born it just seemed easier somehow,she hasnt needed to cry for her food and it helps me to have a set time so i know when she's due a feed.The health visitor said to give her as close to the amount on the formula box as we could so i work out her routine by that and as she's got older and taking more i just increased the time between feeds etc her weight has always been fine and it also helped me to learn what her cries meant at the beginning as once we'd got into our routine i knew she wasnt hungry so she was crying for a different reason,as im sure you know,every baby is different and some babies are better without routines this is just what worked for us x

 

[NoSpringChick]

I started out feeding on demand - but her demand was every 4 hours near to the dot - so in reality wasnt very demanding at all!

As she's gotten older she isnt demanding milk at all really, never cries for it now, so I am deciding when she eats and is sort of on a schedule of every 3-4 hours otherwise she'll go 5 hours and apart from that being too long in my mind, I would never fit her feeds all in!

It's no good having a schedule if your baby is hungry - they can't wait an hour if they want it NOW - but if you follow your baby you'll be able to work out it's own schedule and you'll be having the bottles ready on time before the screaming starts.

 

[moomin_troll]

i fed on demand for the first 5 months but it was roughly every 2-3 hours so u can kinda guess when they will next have a feed, but u wont be able to get them into such a routine for awhile x

 

[kaylynn040485]

Personally i began a schedule from very early on and it has worked for us. Jessica was fed every 3.5 hrs and would take her full bottle and be satisfied. Minus the odd growth spurt or illness(she had cold which kept her up) Jessica has slept through from about 8pm till 6am since she was 3 wks old, think its really personal choice tbh Kx

 

[Mum2b_Claire]

Routine for us, since 6 weeks. I was rubbish at reading her hunger cues and often fed when she was crying thru tiredness! Now she doesn't cry for food at all. I fed every 3 hours until 3.5 months, then every 4 hours. She's slept through the night since 6 weeks.

I think demand feeding is best if you're BF, but for FF I think a routine is easier. Also the guidelines are that you make up each feed fresh with water over 70 degrees and cool it to drinking temp. What hungry baby is going to wait half an hour?

 

[KJunkie]

Thanks for then advice ladies, I truly appreciate it!