for those of you who breastfeed and co sleep, how many times a night does your child nurse?

Question

if you breastfeed and co sleep with your baby, how old is your baby, how many times a night does he/she nurse, and how well does he/she eat during the day? my daughter can nurse up to 6 times a night, sometimes, but rarely 3 or less, is this normal????

Answer 1

I was so lucky, but I breastfed and co-slept til my daughter was 6 months and she nursed around 10pm and 4am and 8am for the longest time. I could almost get a solid night's sleep.

I know you're too smart to listen to these fear-mongers talking about SIDS, but if they are scaring you, read Dr. Sears. He's a great attachment-parenting, co-sleeping and nursing advocate. You'll find his baby-care books in any big bookstore.

BTW: My daughter is 18 months and still nurses 3 times a day. She weaned herself down to this amount.

Answer 2

My daughter nursed 2-5 times a night until she was about 16 months old. Her norm was 2x/night, but when you throw in teething, growth spurts, and developmental milestones, it would often be more because her needs were increased. That's just such a busy time for a baby. At 16 months, she really mastered walking and talking, her first year molars were in, and she suddenly started sleeping through the night. She occasionally nurses once a night now, but not often. (She's 22 months.)

DS is almost 4 months old and pretty big for his age -- almost 22 pounds. So he tends to tank up on milk around 10 or 11 and will sleep until 5-6 am. Sometimes he wakes up once or twice to nurse, but not often.

. . . Of course, I expect that to change once he starts teething. *lol*

It really depends on the baby. Personality plays into it a lot. If you're working during the day, a lot of babies will "reverse cycle" to get their mama-time and nursing in at night. And it varies on where they are in a growth spurt. Your baby sounds right within the normal range. And by the way, GOOD FOR YOU for being so attentive to her needs. She's lucky she's got such an attached mama! :-)

Answer 3

When my daughter was breastfed, she would wake up a whole bunch of times during the night.

I nursed her, and co-slept with her until she was about 2 years old. She never slept through the night until I weaned her completely.

Keep at it! Breast is best. And I'm all for co-sleeping. Studies go both ways, depending on what's fashionable- whether cosleeping increases SIDS or not. Others say it DECREASES it because a mother is always alert to her baby's needs- even while sleeping, so she would be able to wake up if she feels her baby not breathing. And no, you won't roll over the baby!!!!
I co-slept with my parents until I was 5, and I turned out ok. ;)

Answer 4

Good for you! You didn't mention the age of your baby, but I will say that I believe you know best for your child. Trust your instincts. As Dr. Sears says, "if you resent it, change it!!"
My little guy has co-slept with me and nursed since we came home from the hospital. He is 21 months. He no longer night nurses. That was the first one we dropped...I just said, "It's night time, time to sleep." and he would cry for a second and then go back to sleep.
I use the same words when I put him to sleep, every time since he was an infant. I used to nurse him to sleep every night too, but his papa puts him to bed some nights so he got used to other methods of going to sleep.
He eats well, some days he pigs out and other days he grazes...I don't worry too much because he eats when he's hungry and he is still getting nutritional needs met through breast milk.

In the second year (12-23 months), 448 mL of breastmilk provides:

* 29% of energy requirements
* 43% of protein requirements
* 36% of calcium requirements
* 75% of vitamin A requirements
* 76% of folate requirements
* 94% of vitamin B12 requirements
* 60% of vitamin C requirements
Some of the immune factors in breastmilk increase in concentration during the second year and also during the weaning process.
During prolonged lactation, the fat energy contribution of breast milk to the infant diet is significant and associated with healthy brain development in the child (Extensive research on the relationship between cognitive achievement (IQ scores, grades in school) and breastfeeding has shown the greatest gains for those children breastfed the longest)
I added lots of facts outside your question to dispute those who say there is no value past one year, there is!!
Also I am including the link that discusses the research regarding co-sleeping and SIDS.
Good luck momma! I am sure you will get through these night nursings!!

Answer 5

I am co-sleeping and nursing. I told myself after doing so with my eldest child that i would never do it again,but of course here i am! I feel like if my nursing child does not have a boob in her mouth she whines until she gets it back. She eats during the day but not as much as her twin.One of them sleeps in a crib and does not breastfeed anymore,and im still breastfeeding the other one because she was a little smaller . If this works for you then thats great, just beware that you may never get the child out of your bed!

Answer 6

My son who is now 18 months still nurses & co sleeps he nurses about 5 to 6 times per night. The food is there, so they learn that quick. He doesn't eat many solids during the day. But my daughter didn't either until I weaned her at 20 months, when my son will be weaned as well. As long as you practice safe co sleeping it is SAFER than your child sleeping in crib as far as sids goes, some people are sooo uneducated!

Answer 7

I guess a lot of people do not see the need to co sleep. I don't think I could have kept up the every two hours feedings if I didn't!!!!!!!! Mine did the 2 hour thing for the first three months and then it tapered down, but all three would wake at least once during the night to nurse for the first year.

Answer 8

There is no such thing as "normal" when it comes to babies! They are all different and wonderful in their own ways. 3 likely reasons your baby feeds so much:
1-Breast milk digest much guicker and easier than formula, so they seem to feel hungry more often. (even though there is a limit to how much formula they can eat, it is ok for them to take as much from you as they want!)2-While co-sleeping your bodies feel and scense each other near. You will create more milk in close spaces and they take it. 3- Shear comfort. You sometimes act as a pacifier to new ones. They just want to be near and what better way!

Answer 9

As long as your child is satisified then it is not about how many times nursing. Are you sure your child is getting fed enough by breast feeding? Remember this is a big bonding time for the two of you so relax and enjoy your time together.

Answer 10

The baby should be in his/her crib so you can get full nights sleep. If you keep doing this the baby will always expect it of you like it's some sort of requirement. Once a baby is 6 weeks old the baby should be able to sleep through the night without waking up.