You have heard other mothers stress a 4-hour breastfeeding schedule, yet your baby is not agreeable to such a schedule.
Why does your baby want to nurse all the time?
The reason for this is that a 4-hour breastfeeding schedule is not normal at all. Studies show frequent nursing is more biologically normal than to expect an infant to stick with a 3 to 4 hour feeding schedule.
Think about it like this, if you had to double your weight in less than 6 months, how often do you think you may be eating throughout your day?
It is unhealthy for parents to consider that a baby should only nurse every 4 hours. Keep in mind that we as adults are told that our bodies benefit more by eating five or six smaller meals daily rather than to eat three large regular meals a day. Why should your baby need any less?
Normal Babies Eat How Often?
According to Kathy Dettwyler, a Texas A&M University anthropologist, babies the world over are breastfeeding more often. While studying some 2000 research concerning the breastfeeding schedules of children of approximately three months of age in three different areas of the world: the Ngandu farmers and the Ba'Aka hunter-gatherers of the Central African Republic as well as families in Washington, DC.
The babies in America breastfed approximately one and one-half times per hour, the babies in Ngandu breastfed about two times per and the babies in the Ba'Aka breastfed approximately four times per hour.
Although, the American babies did breastfeed less often that the other groups, they did nurse more often than their parents were led to believe that they would or expected them too.
You Baby is Getting Enough Milk, So There is No Need to Worry
Many times, new mothers will worry that their baby is not getting enough milk and are starving, when they want to nurse all the time.
However, a good lactation consultant will let you know that you cannot precisely measure the amount of milk the baby gets by the frequency of its feedings. In fact, when a baby is not getting enough milk it will become sleepy and not feed as often. If your baby gives you plenty of wet diapers, you will know that you are giving the baby enough milk.
How Do You Change a Feeding Schedule?
It may be easier to simply, change your expectations.
Some children never get into a four-hour feeding schedule, they may nurse every two or 3 hours until they wean. In fact, many may even continue snacking every 2 or 3 hours when they are older.
One of the best things about having a frequent feeder is that their feedings will take up less time and they are much easier to fit into your adult schedule.
A Reasonable Schedule
When you have a very small baby, you should not worry, since as they get older they will feed less often. Other than while they are going through their growth spurts, they often adjust nicely into a reasonable feeding schedule.
If at this time your baby want to breastfeed more often allow it to do so, since one day you will find yourself missing these up close and personal moments spent snuggling up with your baby. Before you know it he or she will be up and gone without a care as to whether it is time for breastfeeding.
Kassie Charles is a lactation consultant and a contributing writer for Breastfeeding Magazine.
For more information, tips on diet, nutrition, weaning, nursing in public and more to help ease the transition from pregnant mother to confident mommy, visit www.breastfeeding-magazine.com
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