- my iParenting
- quick clicks
- babies today articles
- babies today q&a
- toddlers today articles
- toddlers today q&a
- breastfeed.com articles
- breastfeed.com q&a
- community & groups
- research baby names
- prepare a birth plan
- content channels
- ip channel rss feeds
- read birth stories
- read parenting stories
- recommended books
- e-newsletters
- safety recalls
- ip diaries
- ip store
- mom of the month
- dad of the month
- editor's letter
- letters to the editor
From Our Sponsors
- e-newsletters
- Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters
- award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
Right on Cue
Can You Breastfeed on a Schedule?
By Gwen Morrison
In a 1997 breastfeeding statement, which was confirmed and revised in 2005, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that newborns should be nursed whenever they show signs of hunger. Those signs include increased alertness, activity, mouthing or rooting. Some call this "demand feeding," while others classify it as "feeding on cue."
Whatever they call it, letting Baby call the shots on feeding times might seem daunting for some mothers, especially those comforted by schedule. With the right information and preparation, even the most routine-laden mothers can lessen any anxiety they feel when feeding on demand.
Nancy Mohrbacher, an international board certified lactation consultant (IBCLC) in Arlington Heights, Ill., and co-author of The Breastfeeding Answer Book (La Leche League International, 1997), explains that while milk production is being established during the first six weeks, research indicates that the more times per day the milk is drained from the breasts, the more milk is produced. "Limited feedings by following a schedule during this critical time can limit or reduce a mother's milk supply," she says. "Also, babies are not normally comfortable feeding at set intervals during their first six weeks, because their stomachs are so small."
According to Mohrbacher, the normal feeding pattern during this early period is called "cluster nursing." This means that babies tend to cluster their feedings close together, showing feeding cues every hour or less for part of the day and then going for longer stretches at other times of the day.
Want to see more?
Comments
Found 1 comment
Displaying all 1 comments below
|
Post As:
|
||
| Enter your comment below: | ||
| Title | ||
| Comment Text | ||
| CAPTCHA | ||
| Please note that any comments submitted become the property of Disney Family / iParenting and can be edited and posted at our discrection. | ||
Re: Fussy in evening by livvysmum on 08/23/2009 05:20AM
My baby daughter hasalways beenfussy in the evening, due to a slow let-down then (ltho its fast the rest of theday!) but used to sleep through - 10-12 hours, from 2 weeks to 14 weeks - no kidding! But then she started waking in the night for feeds, one night every 90 minutes, (a few nights after her vaccinations); so I thought I should give her a bottle in the evening to settle her. Now I know its normal, common even, I'll carry on with breastfeeding, altho I'll put her to bed earlier, as she's asleep on my lap earlier. Invaluable advice - many thanks!