I have a 5 month old and he's so super healthy. I believe I have breastfeeding to thank for that. And I would like to continue that as long as possible. But it's very frustrating to have to feed every 1-2 hours.
2006-12-27 00:30:53 · 12 answers · asked by ~*~The Grays~*~ 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
You poor girl. At 5 months he shouldn't be being fed every 2 hours tho. Have you started him on any solids yet? Try giving some kind of baby cereal, farex or similar, between the first morning feed and the next feed you would normally give him. (if this IS his first solid food, don't give him too much-- say 3 teaspoons full--- and don't force him to eat it if he doesn't seem interested. You'll just have to keep trying each time. You can mix the cereal with your breast milk) This should fill him up and hopefully he won't want another feed for at least 4 hours. If he says he's hungry in 2 hours try him on boiled water. You'll probably have to try this a few times till he's used to the change and the different taste of the cereal or water. If he continues to demand 1-2 hourly feeds I would suggest you visit your doctor or local nurse as this is way too many feed for a 5 month old. You must be exhausted and getting no sleep at all. This isn't good for you or your baby.
2006-12-27 00:44:35 · answer #1 · answered by Kesta♥ 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Firstly, I commend you for breastfeeding! Even though it's tiring for you to nurse so often, you've stuck it out. It really is worth it.
I'm a mom of 2 & breastfeeding couselor with LaLeche League. This is a very, very common question/issue.
You may feel like he's constantly nursing right now and that is normal.
Most babies start to go longer between feedings on their own. When you introduce solids, your baby will usually nurse less. But as soon as you introduce them, you start the weening process. To avoid that too much, introduce a food after nursing not before a feeding.
As to the question. You could try nursing on one side only at each feeding (alternating side per feeding) to insure that he's getting the fatty hind milk. If he's not getting enough of that now, it would cause him to be hungry sooner.
Someone else mentioned compression and that is good too. Gently press with a flat hand the top of your breast while he's feeding.
My first daughter (now 4 1/2yrs) nursed every 2 1/2 -3 hrs.
My second (now 2 1/2yrs) would have stayed on all day long if I didn't detach her.
Each baby is different and the change so quickly. You're doing a great job. You can always contact a local LaLeche League leader for more help.
2006-12-27 10:35:49 · answer #2 · answered by jess 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
SOUNDS LIKE YOU HAVE A SNACKER
He should be able to go longer than two hours now. He could probably go 3 to 4 hours between feeding. Make sure he's getting a full feeding from both breasts. If he falls asleep while nursing on the first side, wake him up to feed on the other side. He'll feel more satisfied and you'll get a longer break between feedings. In the beginning try to distract him until the 3 hour mark so he's hungry and will eat more. Then gradually try to hold out longer.
2006-12-27 08:51:53 · answer #3 · answered by ruby 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No one can really predict what his schedule will become as all babies feed differently.
But, since he is getting older and you'll be introducing food soon, he should slow down nursing some.
Make sure when he nurses he isn't getting distracted and stopping before he is full. Also, ask yourself if he is really hungry after one hour or just wants time with mommy. My 4 yr old used to do that...he nursed for snuggly comfort from mom.
Enjoy this time...it passes so quickly!!
2006-12-27 08:40:07 · answer #4 · answered by Sherral 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
he should be at the stage of every four hours, are you sure he is getting enough at each feeding? I would pump and see how many he ounces he is actually taking in at a time. at 5 months you can also mix some cereal with breast milk and supplement some of feedings with that.
2006-12-27 08:37:10 · answer #5 · answered by lisamarie7901 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yikes, that's a lot of eating for a 5 month old. Try stretching out feedings little by little and try to get it to evey 3 or so hours or you'll go completely insane.
2006-12-27 10:38:54 · answer #6 · answered by happymommy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What it is you need to start feeding him solids or at least start spacing out his feedings. If you start feeding him solids he will cut back on breastfeedings. they say you can start solid feedings anywhere from 4mo.- 6mo. and seeing how much he's eating he needs more filling food. He's apparently hungry....So what i would do is start giving him cereal in the evening before bedtime to prolong his sleeping at night and when you do that for a while you can add it in the morning too good luck
2006-12-27 08:39:00 · answer #7 · answered by Rachel 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As he gets older, the time between feeding will increase to the point that he will become too interested in other things and begin to ween himself. This time varies from child to child. Our daughter breastfed for almost a year and our son went about 8 months.
2006-12-27 08:38:53 · answer #8 · answered by CHAD M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My wife did a few things. She would pump alot so i could feed the child. You can store breast-milk a long time in the freezer. You would have to look into it, but I think you can store it in the refrigerator for a couple of days. You can also mixed baby cereal with your breast-milk, that will keep him full a lot longer.
good luck
2006-12-27 08:46:41 · answer #9 · answered by eniomelmahnarb 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have you tried doing breast compressions while nursing? This might help him get more hindmilk and go longer in between feedings.
It's also common for their nursing patterns to change some after they get past the 6 month growth spurt. You may see him space out feedings more after that.....especially as he becomes more active and mobile.
2006-12-27 08:58:46 · answer #10 · answered by momma2mingbu 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋