- When Greta starts eating more (as she grows) will she need to eat more often than she does now (about every 2 hours), or will she eat more at a time but less often? I'm assuming the latter but would like to know for certain.
- When do I start introducing stuffed animals or dolls for her to love on. I'd like for her to get used to something like that as I hope it might help her to fall asleep or soothe herself. We have plenty of options to choose from. She has several great stuffed animals (including Ella the elephant from Aunt Julie & Uncle Jack) and a beautiful soft doll from her Mimi.
FAMILY!
9 years ago
7 Responses:
Caleb was cuddling things by a month old. I just made sure that they weren't really fuzzy, so that he wouldn't get fuzz all over him or in his mouth.
Every child is different with the eating. In my experience when they started needing more food, they ate more frequently for a few days, then went back to the normal every 2 hours schedule I just produced more at those intervals because they told my body they needed more. Most people hate me, but mine only eat for about 10 mins. every 2 hours. That doesn't really change even when I start producing more milk.
BTW, the birth announcement was so cute! :D
It's nice to know that yours only eat for about 10 minutes every 2 hours. That's pretty much what Greta does except for a marathon session in the evenings and sometimes she feeds for a bit longer right before we all go to bed. For a while I struggled to make her go the 20 minutes I was told to but she hated it and I figured if she wasn't hungry I wasn't going to force her because it made her mad and me frustrated. During the night she only eats for about 6 minutes and then nods back off - unless we've had to change her diaper. Then, since she's more awake, she'll eat longer.
Thanks for the advice on the stuffed animals. Maybe I'll start introducing that now - since she's 1 month old today!
It sounds like she eats the same way mine do. I'd rather them eat every 2 hours for 10 mins then every 3-4 for 45 mins. lol Caleb ate every 1 1/2 hours around the clock for awhile, but started going longer about 7 months. Both have enjoyed cuddling and eating for longer just before bedtime and I'm quite happy with that. :) Sounds like you are doing awesome!!!
Luke eats every 3 1/2 to 4hr, but he does nurse anywhere from 20min. up to an hour if he is dozing on the job. I prefer having more time inbetween and don't mind the longer nursing sessions since they are spread apart. Isn't it funny how we each prefer something different?:)
Emma almost immediately put herself on a 4 hour schedule, which was a HUGE blessing. She started out eating for a LONG time on each side, then I got tired of that and started cutting to the chase and getting her to eat no more than 20 min. on each side. This worked really well. Eventually she got way more efficient with it, and though she was eating more, it was taking 10 min. or less. Basically, the bigger her mouth gets, the better the latch, the faster the feed. At least, that's how it worked out for me. I honestly don't remember when I first gave her bear friend...maybe 3 mos? I would say you might choose something that you can have a back up of!
Yes I have learned from Pup & Bear Friend that backups are necessary! I gave her the doll tonight. It's a gund doll momma found so I'm pretty sure we can get a few extras if/when she gets attached.
My experience is that when the appetite increases so do the frequency of feedings. Basically, more demand = more supply. After a few days to a week, your body will probably "get the message" and you'll have more milk. I think a lot of babies tend to get faster at nursing (and go longer between feedings) as they get older.
Lydia didn't become attached to Pup until around 6 months. But I can tell that Lauren enjoys cuddling and sucking on soft toys already.
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