Eating Every 3 Hours at 4 Months Okay?

I think every 3 hrs. is just fine. I breast fed also and I fed my sooner but all children are different. You are doing fine in my opinion so don't worry about the outlaw.heheeh. That's just what I call my mother in-law. The thing is you feed them when they are hungry. If he isn't hungry until 3 hrs. then you don't force him and you don't make him wait even longer or you will have a very upset baby. Good luck
You will do just fine and so far it sounds like you are.
S.

My son ate every 3 hrs until he was about 5 or 6mo and he started eating jar food consistently. I hope this helps you but I think it's normal. As to the question about feeding him on demand, I used to with my son but it was rare that he would until he got to the age where he could eat rice cereal and jar food.

Hi H.! You are doing an awesome job w/ Noah, and you are right on track by watching his cues and feeding when you know he's ready and hungry. I know it's hard to take those comments from you MIL, and believe me as he gets older everyone will have some opinion about how you are raising him.

Again, you are doing AWESOME! Don't worry about what others say.

I'm breastfeeding my third right now.

Congratulations on your little one, sounds like he and mommy are doing wonderfully! Every three hours is great! People who didn't breastfeed often have a lot of opinions, not sure why but I always wish they'd just hush! My mom used to make comments here and there, but so far with the new baby she's only made one, that my milk might not satisfy her because she was fussy three hours after I fed her. Usually she eats considerably more often, since she's only 3 weeks old!!! I just laugh and try to pocket the comment away somewhere. It's annoying, isn't it?

If you need any breastfeeding support, please try www.kellymom.com. Lots of good useful information there, and message boards for constant support!

:)
B.

H.,

Be at ease. You have the perfect scenario. I had the same experience exactly! This is what any pediatrician would recommend, encourage and applaud! I would hand your Mother-in-Law any parenting book and let her read for herself. There needs to be a nice balance of demand and timed feeding, so to speak (the little bellies don't hold much and metabolize breast milk quickly). When your baby starts to turn away from feeding because he is not yet hungery, THEN you will know that you need to wait a little longer to offer him a feeding. Your baby will be your guide. Rest assured, babies know a whole lot more about their hunger needs than any mother in law does. Congrats for getting on such a great schedule and everyone being so well rested! Hurray!

P.S. Also remember, as your baby drops feedings from the night, those calories need to be received during the day hours so more/sooner feedings during the day when a baby sleeps at night is really good management in getting the proper amount of calories.
P.S.S. Final thought. If you feel like your baby is needing more milk, think about pumping immediately after each feeding to increase your supply.

That sounds just about right to me. We fed on a schedule too since our little one didn't mind being scheduled at all... and seriously, it was much easier for us! I wouldn't listen to your mother in law... he's happy, healthy, and sleeping through the night... what more could you ask for from a 4 month old?? The sleeping through the night thing just proves that what you're doing is working... if he was hungry, he'd be waking up for an extra feeding or two during the night. Tell her to buzz off :)

I think you have a really great schedule going!! Breastfed babies DO eat every 3-4 hours because breastmilk is digested quicker than formula. You are VERY lucky that your little guy is sleeping through the night!
Just accept your mom-in-law's comments gracefully and then keep doing what YOU think is right. Your baby is young, and he won't be eating every 3 hours forever. In a couple months, you can add food and the number of breasfeeding sessions will naturally decrease.
It sounds like you and your baby have a nice feeding schedule going, so why mess with it?

Babies will generally eat about every 3-3 1/2 hours for a while. My son is almost 7 months and has to have something to eat every 3 or 3 1/2 hours, and he eats baby food now. Your son's feeding schedule is perfectly normal. Just like young children, babies need snacks in between their main meals. Ignore your mother-in-law, because we now know more about what is healthy for babies compared to when she had them. You're doing what you should be doing!

K.:)

Hi H.,
When my son was that young, my ped told me to feed him 3-4 hours, so I don't see a big deal with every three hours. Babies really cannot get too much breastmilk anyway. Since it is so easily digested, they drink it down and then poop it out.

Hi
You are doing great. He is on a consistant schedule and knows it. This is his only feeding, nursing. Every 3 hours is just right. This is what I did with my daughter. I didn't wait for her, she knew that she would be fed without having to tell me she needed to be. Don't listen to your MIL...you are the mom and you are doing good! When he starts on other food, then the feeding schedule will change up some and go from there.
Congrats that he is sleeping through the night! That's always great to get sleep! He's getting bigger, it doesn't make sense to spread out his feedings, he needs them!
Good luck!

This was exactly how my son fed at 4 months. If your son cries to eat sooner all the time, then consider feeding him sooner, if he's gaining weight as a baby should, and is happy then this plan is working for you and there is no reason to change. Mother in laws did lots of things differently than you and I (put us to sleep on our backs) some of it probably would be fine, some of it we now know is not, do what feels right for you're baby and you and you'll be just fine. Your doctor will tell you if he's not getting enough nutrition, but my guess is if he's eating well at those intervals, then you're just fine!!

Listen to your baby. He knows when he is hungry. Babies are unique individuals. Schedules can be so cold and impersonal. They treat all children as if they are the same. He will find a routine on his own that has some built in give and take with the routine of your life.

You may want to decrease the time between feedings if you want to keep a schedule, like every 2 hours. Try to be a little flexible with the time thing. I did a little schedule as well, but babies like to eat and suck for comfort as well as for food. Just let your m-n-l know respectfully that you've made/make the decisions about your child and that she did a good job with you husband and now it's your turn to do a good job with your child. Your child may also want to do a lot of feeding in the evening. Just put the baby on a sling and let him sck away while you do your thing. You'll get the rhythm of what to do cause he'll tell you what he needs(in language that you may have a difficluty figuring out, but you'll get it if you already haven't gotten most of it now). Breast feeding is GREAT! Enjoy it because it's only fo a little while and then they grow up.
Good luck
A.

Just to ditto what has already been said, you are doing great! Solely breastfed babies eat every 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 hrs - my ten month old son eats whenever he wants, which averages out to about 3 hrs and 15 mins. (And, babies that sleep through the night will make up for the lost night feeding by eating more during the day, according to our pediatrician!) Also, when your son hits a growth spurt or cuts a tooth, don't be surprised if he wants to nurse more for a 24-48hr period.

I think it is a MIL trait to make comments that hurt/sting/annoy - if it makes you feel better, mine told me that my nipples were too big for my son to eat from when I was a couple of days postpartum! I cried and cried till I realized that she was wrong, and never took anything to heart again.

Good luck!
D

Hi H.! Congrats on your son. I have two sons, 2 yrs old and 3 months. When I nursed my 2 year old being a first time mommy I woke him up every two hours to eat for ages. Which honestly I think contributed to him not sleeping through the night for ages. With my second I took a much more relaxed stance. My second, Mason is very much like your situation, he sleeps through the night (which freaked me out at first but then realized God was taking care of me by giving me sleep :) Mason eats about every 3 - 4 hours and sometimes it is because I finally tell him he has got to eat - honestly I think he could go longer but I just will not allow it :) I say do not worry about the schedule, at 4 months he will let you know when he is hungry. I do not think every three hours is excessive. BE PREPARED - with breastfeeding everyone has an opinion and one of the coolest things about breastfeeding is that it really lets you tap into your natural instinct of being a mother. You are doing something for Noah that noone else in the world can do and you know better than anyone how and when to do. So just relax and know that your time schedule is right for you and Noah. Just agree with your MIL and limit further conversation about breastfeeding :) Take care and keep up the good work.

Hi H.,
YES! Every 3 hours at 4 months is definitely okay. My daughter (who is my second child) just turned 4 months, and I have kept her on the 3-hour schedule. However, the past week, she's been nursing every 2 1/2 hours -- and I just started her on some rice cereal, which helped her a lot.
My suggestion is to call his pediatrician and ask the nurse/doctor. That way, when they say that it's healthy, and you're questioned about it from someone, you can let anyone who questions you know that his pediatrician said this is healthy for him.
Too, remember that breastfeeding was not popular in our parents' era. They formula-fed most of the time. So, H., you're doing great. Go with your gut, and get the back-up thumbs up from your pediatrician.
Hugs to you!

I say if it works, don't fix it!! If he is sleeping through the night, your world is awesome!! You know your baby best! Ask your pediatrician if that gives you some "Expert" type of ammo to shoot back at your MIL. My MIL would say "he's always eating." Well, yes, that is what babies do. Breast milk has fewer calories per milliliter than formula does so breast fed babies eat more often.

Good luck!
N.

Yes it is WONDERUFL! My gilrs were sleeping through the night by 6-8 weeks and they were great. My oldest started eating about every 5 hours at 5 weeks

What matters is the total amount eaten in a 24 hour period. If your baby is eating every three hours during the day, and sleeping through the night, that means he's getting enough to eat. If you were to space his feedings further apart during the day, he may start waking during the night to get the food he "missed" while he was awake. If it's working, why change it? You've got a happy baby boy who, at only four months, let's you sleep at night--that's a blessing!!

Breastfed babies are supposed to eat about 3-4 hours, especially if he sleeps through the nite. As you start feeding solids you may start to lengthen the time in between. Don't listen to mother-in-law, I myself heard things from my own mother because I fed all my babies on demand per my doctor and my mother was used to scheduled feeding. Your doctor should give you advice as to when its best to change your feeding routines, and feel free to ask when you have regular check-ups! The best way to know, though is to follow your sons cues, if he is happy, healthy then your doing a great job!

Every 3 hours sounds about right to me. My baby was on demand, and there were (still are at 9 months) days when she eats even more frequently than that. I think you should keep doing what you're doing, as long as it's working for you and the baby. As for your MIL, my mom and mom-in-law have little concept of what breastfeeding is all about. My mom used formula for all her kids, and my mil breastfed but doesn't remember much. Besides, when she had her kids she was advised not to gain more than 15 pounds during pregnancy! Times were different, then. I've also found that people her age seem to be very worried about the baby getting "spoiled" when you're just meeting baby's basic needs. I think that is also something they learned back when they had kids and were learning how to raise them.

Anyway, keep up the good BFing. Sounds like it's going well.

Every baby is different and it is hard to tell just how much your little guy is getting when you breastfeed. If he is happy and healthy and sleeping through the night it sounds like you are doing it just right! My daughter was on a three hour schedule till she was around 6-7 months old and started solids. Then she went to a four hour schedule. Keep up the good work, sounds like you are a great mom! Try not to let everyone else's advise stress you out. While seasoned moms can give you wisdom, you ultimately know your little boy the best and can make the best decisions for him.

Hi H.~
Yup - everyone seems to have an opinion on this sort of thing. It was VERY hard for me as a first time mom to sort thru it (I read all kinds of books) and not feel guilty. Bottom line, if it works for you, (keeps you sane) and your baby is thriving (putting on weight, happy, sleeping), you're doing okay!! Tell your M-i-L what works for YOU, that every mom and baby are different, and maybe you'll do it differently with your next one! Good luck.

Breatmilk digests quickly, and he needs to nurse enough to keep your milk supply up. The less you do now the less you will have later....Three hours is probably OK, if he is happy and full. I, myself, might try sooner if he is up.

I would ignore your mother-in-law, and do what is right for you and your son.

My daughter nursed every 2-3 hours until I started her on solid foods at 6 months. Around 7 months she was still nursing every 3-4. While I'm sure you mother-in-law doesn't mean harm she also may not know what is best for your baby. If he's happy and healthy - why mess with success? Breast fed babies also tend to eat a little more often that bottle-fed. Him nursing often also keeps your milk supply up. When he hits a growth spurt don't be surprised to find him needing to eat even more often for a little while. Hang in there and just calmly explain that while this may not have been what she did with her kids, it is perfect for you guys!

Wow both of our boys ate every 2 hours at this age(and they were on formula). If it's working for you and baby is gaining weight, why change????

I had this same schedule with my son and he was sleeping through the night at 9 weeks. At some point probably soon you will see those every 3 hours stretching to 3 1/2 and 4 hours and he will still sleep through the night because he is getting enough calories during the day. Plus it gives you more time to do stuff in between feedings.

Your MIL is of the old-school variety. I would look up the American Academy of Pediatric's recommendation to feed on demand and print it off for her.
Every 2-3 hours (especially if he's sleeping through the night!) is great. I was an on-demand feeder, and he ate every 2-3 hours, but maybe less quantity each time.
As long as the weight is healthy and it's what works for your schedule, I wouldn't second-guess yourself.

Schedules, like the 4 hour schedule, are based on formula. Breastfed babies need more frequent feedings, and if your baby needs to be fed every 3 hours or even every 2 (what my daughter is going through...I think it's a growth spurt), then so be it. You can also try pumping if he's not really hungry and you are uncomfortable. It sounds like you have a good baby who is happy with this schedule right now.

Hi H.,

I would suggest feeding when your baby wants. My concern is that with the schedule and no night feeds, your supply might start dropping. However, if he is happy, and growing, things are probably fine. I just would watch his cues and not be withholding a feed because three hours has not come yet. Breastmilk digests fasts and does not sit in the stomach like formula, so that is why breastfed babies normally feed more frequently.

G. T

i would love to have this schedule. my 5 month old is nowhere near this.

if your doctor is happy with your son's growth, then your MIL doesn't know what she's talking about, so smile and nod when she comments.

Sounds great to me! My daughter is 7.5 months, and still nurses every 2 hours (give or take some around the time of her solid meals). So 3 hours isn't excessive. It's quite normal for breastfed babies. Formula fed babies do tend to go longer, and maybe that's what she's basing her comments on.

Hi H.!
My son is just over 5 months old we we recently went through the exact same thing. I was feeding him every 3 hours and he always ate. My mother in law too advised me to stretch it out a bit at least to 4 hours. (only difference was that my son was 5 months already) She said that the reason is because when you start to introduce solids at around 6 months you can't feed them that often. Anyway, the next day I went 4 hours between feedings and my son did fine. It seemed to make absolutely no difference to him. He ate a bit more at each feeding and by the end of the day he had one feeding less than before. I stuck to this schedule and it works for us.
I know it can be annoying to get good advice from the mother in law..but just try to remember that she is the one who raised your wonderful husband. =) If you really think she's wrong about something ignore her. I do. It took a lot of practice but I just smile and say "whoom interesting" and then do whatever I think is best. This applies to everyone btw..including your own mother!!

Hi H.,

If he is eating ok and gaining weight he is probably fine, if you are very concerned (and annoyed with the mother in law.. it happens) call your pedetrician and talk with them. You are one of the lucky moms who's child sleeps through the night I wasn't blessed with that until 15 months with my first and I am still dealing with it right now with my second who is five.
God Bless,
K.

Congratulations on the breastfeeding (and on the baby who sleeps through the night!!!). My advice: ignore the outside cacophony and do what you think is right and what is recomended by the World Health Organization (demand feeding or 2-3 hours as needed by the child). Babies have the most 'normal' eating patterns. That is, they dont eat because theyre bored or because its dinner time but rather because they are hungry. They also, though, suckle for comfort (and you'll know the difference) and isnt that great that you can be the source of that comfort? The next time bud-in-ski's have something to say just smile and respond "I know, Im such an indulgent mother!" Who can respond to that? You'll find through the years that many will have much to say. To me, thats the most challenging thing about motherhood! Good luck!

I think you are doing a great job. Trust me, as he grows he will want more milk. Growth spurts will also have him getting more milk. Four month olds have very tiny stomachs and although breastmilk is easily digested, feeding him like this seems to work well for both of you. Just remember, your milk provides meals, as well as drink for when he is just thirsty - Sometimes he will eat for long periods, sometimes perhaps he will only want a drink. Similar to us at different periods of the day. Every three hours is not excessive. There will be days that you feel all you do is nurse your baby and days whereby he seems fine with only every 3 hours or so. As I do believe that you have the art of breastfeeding pretty perfected for you and your son, stick to what you are doing. This is your journey and unless you feel that something may not be right, do not let others influence you. As hard as this is, please try and stay on your own course. Sometimes those close to us, such as in-laws, feel left out in the feeding process when we choose to exclusively breastfeed our babies. Give your mother-in-law other fun tasks to do with your son, perhaps this may help dissipate certain comments. Keep up the great work!!!!

You are doing exactly the right thing! It is perfectly normal for a breastfed baby to nurse every three hours. You could keep this up for a year. Send your mother-in-law to La Leche League to get information. Sounds like you have a precious healthy baby! You are blessed! AF

Your MIL is wrong. Breastmilk is digested quickly which is why breastfed babies are fed every 2-3 hours or more frequently depending on need.

If every 3 hours works for your son, then it is fine to continue it. The only time it might not be sufficient is during a growth spurt. However, as long as you are letting baby nurse as long as he wants every 3 hours it should be fine. People get into trouble when they limit both the frequency and duration of the feedings.

Hi H.. Our mothers were taught to stick by feeding schedules, which we know now are not correct for every child. Feed Noah when he is hungry. WIthholding food until YOU say it's okay for him to eat is not a smart strategy at his age, because he doesn't yet understand "appropriate times to eat". He will soon, but not quite yet. His "demand" schedule will probably set its own timing, and it may well be about every 3 hours (that seems very normal), but watch HIS cues- if he looks hungry, acts hungry, feed him! My mother in law fought me on that too ("you'll spoil him") but I silenced her by asking her how she'd take it if someone told her when and how much to eat, leaving no room for discussion, and they said it in a language she didn't understand. I think she got it after that. :)

It is fine and LUCKY YOU for having a child sleeping through the night. Often, babies that are not eating enough during the day will awake for a feeding... this happens frequently during "growth spurts." My child is 9 months, in a NAYC certified, federal center day care. They feed her every 3-4 hours.

Keep up the great job, Good luck! J.

The AAP and all other breastfeeding professionals strongly advise against scheduled feedings and suggest feeding ON DEMAND.

That will ensure your supply is consistent with his demand.

But if you want to feed on a schedule, just know that your milk supply is at risk, and that babies typically thrive better on a demand feed.

Your Mother in law is not the one breastfeeding. You are not doing anything wrong by nursing often, in fact you are keeping your baby and yourself very healthy. Ignore her.