At my infant's 2 week pediatrician visit, he had not yet
gotten back to his birth weight. He had regained 4 oz. of the 9 he had lost. I am
exclusively breastfeeding, and had hoped to continue doing so. The Dr. told me to cut back
on feeding intervals to 2 & 1/2 hours or longer between feedings, and go back in this
week for another weight check.
This goes against everything I've read as far as feeding as often, as long, and as much as
my baby wants, and I'm not sure I'm comfortable with what he told me. My baby has at least
6-8 wet diapers a day and latches on well and seemed perfectly happy until I began
restricting his feeding intervals. I did what the Dr. said for 4 & 1/2 days.
I have started feeding on demand again (about every 1 & 1/2 hours or so) because I
can't stand to hear him crying and showing all the signs of being hungry, while I was
waiting until it was "time" for him to be hungry. This was after making sure he
was dry, played with, no fever, not too cold or hot, and anything else I could think to
check as to why he was crying. As soon as he starts feeding, he's happy.
I don't feel entirely comfortable with this pediatrician, but am kind of stuck with him
until January due to AETNA problems. I am looking for other professional opinions on this
matter. I don't want to jeopardize breastfeeding, but of course, I don't want to harm my
baby either. Please help!
It is apparent from your letter that you have been educating yourself about
breastfeeding--and that's great! It's the best advice I can give you if you want to be
successful. I also believe that it is important that you trust your parenting instincts.
They are there for a reason. No mother can stand to hear her baby cry. The cry is a signal
that something needs to be taken care of. You are right to feed on demand. As your baby
gets older, the feeding intervals will lengthen naturally.
The advice you were given from your doctor (increasing feeding intervals) will actually
result in less wait gain--not more. You were correct about that. The more often the
breast is emptied, the more milk there will be. It is not unusual for a newborn breastfed
baby to want to feed every 1 1/2 hours or so. Breastmilk actually digests in about
that length of time. Unfortunately, most physicians in this country are given very little
(if any) information during medical school on managing breastfeeding. And some babies just
take longer to get back to birth weight than others. The following are some ideas to
help increase your milk supply:
--Nurse frequently (do not allow your baby to go more than 3 hours during the day).
--Offer both breasts at each feeding. "Switch nursing" means switching breasts
2-3 times or more per feeding. It is very helpful for weight gain because it helps to wake
up a sleepy baby and get more food in him. Instead of watching the clock, watch your baby.
When he starts nodding off, and you can no longer hear any swallowing, wake him up and
switch to the other side. Continue until he is no longer interested in feeding.
--Avoid pacifiers and bottles if possible.
--Take naps when your baby sleeps. Your milk supply will increase faster if you are
rested.
--Don't forget to drink plenty of fluids (you do not need to drink anymore than you are
thirsty for) and eat a well-balanced diet.
Good luck! Hope this helps.
Cher Sealy, RN, BSN, IBCLC, LLLL
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