I had a real hard time getting my milk supply up so I am paranoid that It will decrease If I dont make her breastfeed every few hours and lately it seems she will sleep all night unless I wake her to eat.
2006-11-09 04:18:45 · 11 answers · asked by 343535445 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
It is recommended that you feed a 7 wk old every 3-3.5 hours except at night. You can still go up to 7 hours between feedings as long as you feed more often during the day. You will find that you are more engorged after 7 hours, but it will not decrease your milk supply. Just be sure you are waking her every 3 hours during the day to feed; and make sure you are giving a full feeding every time. Most 7 wk olds feed for 20-30 minutes during full feedings. make sure you keep her awake long enough to get a full feeding, and you shouldn't have to worry about your milk supply. Take advantage of her sleeping through the night, and don't keep waking her up in the middle of the night to feed. If you continue to wake her she will get in the habit, and begin to wake up by herself. Then you have to get her back into the habit of sleeping at night again. Its a nasty circle to get into. Take my advice about full feedings, and you'll be fine.
2006-11-09 04:29:04 · answer #1 · answered by Diane A 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's all a matter of supply and demand. The more your baby nurses, the more milk your body will make. If your baby is nursing well eight times in a 24 hour period, you probably don't need to worry about supply. Is she producing at least six wet diapers a day? Is she gaining weight well? Those are two other key factors to look for. "All night" for a newborn baby is five hours. If she's sleeping much longer than that you might consider waking her up to nurse just so you don't get uncomfortably full. If you are nursing at midnight and she sleeps until five AM and then nurses another 6-10 times throughtout the day, you're probably right on target. So, key things to note (nursing at least 8-12 times in a 24 hour period, six wet diapers a day, and gaining weight).
2006-11-09 04:27:32 · answer #2 · answered by Stephanie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try to add extra feedings during the day and get the extra sleep you need at night. You will have milk supply problems if you are not well rested. You can also try fenugreek and blessed thistle to boost milk production. You health food store should have lactation blends just for nursing mothers.
2006-11-09 04:23:54 · answer #3 · answered by Vicki 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your body will produce as much milk as your baby needs. So if she doesn't need to feed every couple of hours then you don't need to worry about it. Your body will adjust to her changing needs as well. And if you aren't producing enough then she will up your supply for you by wanting to nurse more frequently. Just follow her cues.
I freaked out and thought I wasn't producing enough milk because my baby was wanting to eat every hour. So I started supplementing. I later found out that that was his way of upping my supply when he had a growth spurt. So my point is try not to worry so much and just observe your little one. She will tell you what she needs.
Good Luck!
2006-11-09 04:28:43 · answer #4 · answered by deans_mom 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
YES - It will decrease if you don't use what you are providing. At that young of an age, you should be waking him/her every 2-3 hours to feed. (Except at night)
2006-11-09 05:22:07 · answer #5 · answered by amyvnsn 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you really are that worried then try to express. I breastfed my daughter every 4 hours from when she was born but at about 3 months it was every 6 hours. Everyone and everyones body is different. Speak to your midwife and she will be able to advise you of the best way forwards. I breastfed on demand so it was down to my daughter when she fed and not me, your baby will soon let you know if she is hungry.
Good luck.
2006-11-09 04:40:22 · answer #6 · answered by SARAH S 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
to increase your milk supply you need to either feed her or pump more often.dont let her sleep too long cause a 7 week old baby who is breastfed needs to eat constantly.it may be stressful for a while but soon her appetite will slow down and your milk supply will increase to fit her needs.good luck
2006-11-09 05:30:53 · answer #7 · answered by these r my people 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Maybe your baby needs solids during the day. Try introducing veggies and meats (after you breastfeed him of course!). FYI - my son started sleeping through the night at 13 - 14 months.
2016-05-22 00:32:41 · answer #8 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She should eat when she wants too. If she sleeps all night then let her sleep! Maybe think about pumping.
2006-11-09 04:40:10 · answer #9 · answered by KathyS 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
pump the milk and freeze it. dont wake her. your milk shouldnt decrease. let her sleep and you sleep tooo
2006-11-09 04:21:52 · answer #10 · answered by kleighs mommy 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋