I am in private practice so most of the moms I see are 48 hours +
postpartum.  If mom and baby are doing well, I don't see them so these are
kids in trouble all ready.  If I see a mom whose baby is not eating enough,
too sleepy, lots of weight loss, looks too thin, etc.  I have found it
helpful to tell mom that baby needs as often as he shows feeding cues but at
least 4 or 5 feedings every 12 hours.  I find that this wording helps new
moms be OK with baby eating every hour for 3 hours, sleeping for 5 and
taking a feed every our again for a few feeds as well as the mom whose baby
eats every 21/2 - 3 hours like the "book" says.
I used to recommend 8 - 10 feeds per 24 hours.  I found the moms would often
be overwhelmed when the baby at every 6 hours for the first 18 hours and
then she was trying to wake a baby who did not have enough energy to feed
6 - 8 times in the last 6 hours of the 24.

Linda Pohl, IBCLC
Phoenix AZ

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