BF...is this right???

This is just a quick question but it has me a bit curious. We went to our baby health clinic the other week and I have been pondering this ever since. DD is 5 months old and has 6 BFs in a 24 hour period, I have had to encourage her to have the 6th as she only ever had 5. She isnt demand fed because she rarely demands, I thinks she would only have 2 or 3 feeds some days if I let her :shakehead:, so I just feed her at similar times each day. At one feed she will drain both sides then the next feed she just waits for the let down and off she comes. Anyway with out rambling anymore, the nurse informs me she 'should' really only be having 5 feeds a day and once we start solids really only 4....I was certain that many women were breastfeeding 12 times a day, babes much older than mine....so is this acurate or has she got her wires crossed with FF babies? Weight, growth, contentment, development and wet/ dirty nappies are all 'normal'.

Thanks heaps for anything you can tell me.

feed when she wants it. When she is having the solids she may choose to reduce her feeds by herself. Dont force her into anything.

It seems to me that your MCHN is considering only the calorie portion of breastfeeding. Your baby will feed for food, to quench her thirst, and for comfort. She may feed 10 times some days and 3 the next as she gets older. Even though she is not demanding feeds she would refuse them if she didn't want them. How wonderful that she never needs to ask, you are always there to offer. I bet you will have a wonderfully secure child as she grows.

It sounds like you are doing great and are very in tune with your daughter. Try not to doubt yourself

T
xx

LD, as you suspect, there really is no "right" number of feeds for a baby at that age. Certainly until 12 months, milk is the main source of nutrition, so limiting it to 2 - 3 feeds a day is not recommended. Some babies might only have 2 - 3 feeds a day once they start solids, but if they take more that's fine - actually it's good!

When you think about it only about 10% of babies in Australia are receiving any breastmilk, so Child Health Nurses are not getting a lot of experience with older bf babies. Formula doesn't have the nutrition and immunological factors that bm does, and can fill babies up so they don't have the soldis they need. Probably the advice about limiting feeds is based on formula fed babies.

You are doing a great job with your little one. I don't think you can go wrong if you trust your instinct.

Hey Lily

Don't worry to much about the number of feeds! I think it's so funny that she said she must be having "5 feeds....." then "4 feeds".....IMO that has no signifigance or meaning whatsoever as she gets older! Each baby is different for starters, so what "one NEEDS" might be completely different to another. Plus each mum is different in terms of supply.

Give her booby if she wants, then start her on solids when she's interested. Just follow her lead and do what feels comfy to you.

All the best!

Thanks heaps for your advice ladies! I did kinda think there was something not quite right with the comment.

I doubt DD will continue with all 6 feeds when shes gets going on solids as she isnt interested now, but as you all say, its her call and I am happy with that!

I knew the number of BF babies in Australia was low but I had no idea it was only 10% :o, not much wonder she doesnt have much knowledge on the subject! I find it hard in a small town too due to so much controversey over BF vs FF, I know 1 person roughly my age who breastfed/feeds and none that have waited till at least 6 months to start solids, so often I have been told she needs solids blah blah blah :wall:

Wonder what the MCHN will say about the baby lead solids/ weaning we plan to encourage? lol.

You have all been so lovely in what you have said, I do hope DD is one secure little girl. Thank you xx

I love baby led weaning, so much easier than the puree and mash routine I did with my first! If you can't be bothered with the reactions from your MCHN just nod and smile when she is talking about mashing food into a bland mush for your baby. She doesn't need to know you feed your baby (gasp shock horror) tasty and textured food.

You know I don't even count the number of feeds my DD has in any one day. Her need for food or comfort varies. I just watch the for a few good wet nappies in a day.

If you know bub is happy, healthy, gaining weight etc then all you have to do is listen to your MCHN and decide for yourself what is best for bub. Some times nodding and smiling is the best way