I'm a first time SAHM to an almost 3 month old baby boy, whom I exclusively breastfeed. I'm concerned because his eating habits just started to change (from eating every 3 hours from the time his last feeding ended to 4 hours) as well as his sleeping habits (he's sleeping 4-6 hours a night, wakes up or I wake him up to feed, and then he goes down for another 4+). For instance, today he will only eat 4 times. His eating time has changed (from ~30min. to ~20 min.) but he still seems full. I notice because his tummy gets big! Is this normal? People I've talked to say not to wake him up, and I have noticed that he appears to be eating more in less time, I can tell because my breasts are "fuller". He has 7-8, usually more, really wet diapers a day. Any advice would help my worries! Thanks!
Thanks to everyone who responded! I feel tons better, I guess change is hard! I'm defintely counting my blessings!
Sounds like you're little guy is growing up! This is totally normal. He may get even faster at nursing as he gets bigger. At 3 months old, you shouldn't bother with waking him up to feed at night. If he wants to go all night, let him! You need the sleep too! Granted, your breasts will likely be bursting the first time this happens. Be sure you wear nursing pads to bed and have a pump handy to relieve the pressure.
I totally agree with Brenda - it sounds like he is perfectly normal. I also agree with not waking him up at night because when he is hungry I PROMISE he will let you know. Enjoy the extra rest because he may hit a growth spurt soon and want to eat every 2 hours for a few weeks. I BF my 1st daughter for 12 months, and the second for 9 months (until I couldn't keep up with her) and both of my girls were sleeping through the night at his age. With #2, I HAD to wake her up every 5 hours because she would sleep much longer at night. However, he said I could let her sleep as long as she needed once she was 8 weeks old. Seriously, it's normal to worry but don't because it sounds like you're doing a great job! Keep up the good work & enjoy the much deserved sleep!
He sounds perfectly fine to me. All of my babies were/are breastfed and their eating habits change from time to time.
I also had to cut out dairy for the first 6 months with all my children. It gets better after about 6 months and you can slowly introduce it and see if he still has a reaction to it.
Sounds good! He's growing into a baby schedule instead of a newborn schedule. Feel lucky that's he's doing it on his own! Most have to be trained.
You are doing GREAT!! I do think you should not wake him to feed him though, let him sleep as long as he will! Your body will adapt to his needs, and yes, I am sure that he is drinking more, faster, so that is why the nursing time has decreased. Dont be shocked though if he starts wanting to eat more often again, and then less often etc....they go through growth spurts and need the extra calories. It really sounds like you have everything perfectly under control, and your little boy is doing just what he should! Congratulations! ~A.~
Sounds to me like you have a perfectly happy and amazingly content baby boy, Mom. He's growing while he sleeps and I'd not wake him to feed him anytime. He'll wake and let you know when he's hungry. Count your blessings that he's sleeping so long between feedings and at night. Don't feed him through the night, if he's not asking for it, or it will become just habit as he gets older. You'll be seeing even more changes in him in the next few weeks. In fact, your adventure is just beginning.
Good luck and God bless...
Hi Corylee,
I agree with the others. It sounds like your little boy is just maturing in his sleeping and eating patterns. A lot of kids settle in after about 3 months, so he sounds like he's doing well.
And, congratulations on breastfeeding your son with allergies. That cannot be easy. So, great job!!!
Good luck! C.
