Schedule or not?

[celine]

Im not sure if this is right or wrong, who feeds on demand vs feeding on a schedule, and whioch one works better?

atm I feed on demand but wonder if this will just influence the baby to become more difficult or demanding?

 

[Samantha675]

Feeding on demand, especialy at the beginning is the best way to go.

 

[mrsholmes]

I feed on demand, and think its great Scott never cries for food, I dont think he will be demanding cos of it hes too young to understand

 

[JayleighAnn]

I feed on demand as I'd hate to think Halen's sat there hungry for x amount of time before he gets fed

 

[asacia]

I feed on demand. I personally think that small babies need to know that thier needs will be met and that they'll be looked after, otherwise they'll be unhappy and more demanding. I also find that if LO gets lots of cuddles during the day, he doesn't need so many at night - its as if it makes him more secure and less demanding. He knows when he needs something he'll get it, so he doesn't get fussy for no reason.

 

[Cariad_bach]

All of mine have been fed on demand for the same reasons as everyone else xxxxx

 

[Lu28]

I'd definitely feed on demand as you don't want LO to be hungry for any amount of time, I very much doubt it's going to make them more demanding as they get older - at the end of the day, they're the only ones who know if they're hungry. I also tend to offer a feed every 3 hours or so when she doesn't demand it - just because I want to get as much in during the day so she doesn't wake so much at night!

 

[anothersquish]

I fed on demand, my son is now 5 and not 'demanding' in any way. He was sleeping through from midnight to 6am by 6 weeks old ( I NEVER turned lights on at night when feeding and would put him straight back down once hed finnished eating at night) I would never put a baby in a strict feeding routine, personally I think its cruel to leave them hungry and/or screaming for food as I have seen mothers doing just to stick to a strict schedule.

 

[celine]

Tx ladies, sorry im rather clueless about this sort of thing. Looks like everybody is in favor for feeding on demand which is what I am doing anyway so thats good!
i AM struggling to get him to sleep at night tho, but i think thats nomal *sigh*

 

[asacia]

Tx ladies, sorry im rather clueless about this sort of thing. Looks like everybody is in favor for feeding on demand which is what I am doing anyway so thats good!
i AM struggling to get him to sleep at night tho, but i think thats nomal *sigh*

Yup, that is normal unforunately!

My Mum always told me that feeding 'on demand' works two ways - he can demand, and so can I!

Example, if I've got an appointment, I'll offer him a feed before we go, even if he doesn't ask for one. I also always offer one at night when I'm ready to go to bed, and that works well for us.

 

[Mervs Mum]

Agreed! Your milk is produced on a supply and demand basis so demand feeding sits perfectly with BFing

 

[mama2b]

Demand feeding for us to to start with.

To be honest I didn't have much choice in the matter as when Lucas is hungry the whole street knows ! I did try a few routines to start with and it was never going to work as he would always be looking for a feed a good hour before 'the book' said he should.

After a few weeks a pattern starts to emerge and now we are pretty much bang on set times for feeds. I did start to get him into a set routine around 10 weeks but it is very laid back.

 

[Mervs Mum]

I think the other great thing about demand feeding is you dont often have a crying baby!

Many babies find their own routine pretty quickly

 

[Shifter]

I wanted to follow a routine but found that it wasn't going to work for us as Jack wants feeding every two hours, not every three like Tracy Hogg suggests lol!

Like asacia, I offer a feed before going out or if he hasn't grumbled in three hours.

He hardly ever cries, so it works for us. My mum always remarks how when she had my brother they were told to stick to a strict 4 hour schedule (whether breast or bottle feeding) and he would just scream for half the day. She tried BFing but her supply disappeared and she was led to believe that she couldn't produce enough to satisfy him. I have talked to her about on demand feeding and that she probably would have BF fine if she hadn't been told to stick to that schedule and she is now coming to realise that she was given bad advice. I'm so sad for her and all the women of her generation who had that experience.

 

[Logiebear]

I demand feed. I have been exceptional with a premmie and other health issues so we have taken 21 weeks to find a routine lol

Normally a baby will find thier own routine, they start around 6-8 weeks, and it gets easier. Demand is the only way to successfully bf IMO.