<< He also recommends stretching the intervals of the daytime feedings,
 lest the "baby's stomach gets conditioned to being fed small amounts
 frequently, instead of waiting at least two hours between feedings at
 birth, and at least four hours by 4 months of age."   This combines with
 a statement that "By 4 months, about 90% of infants sleep more than
 eight consecutive hours without feeding.  Normal children of this age
 (and premature babies who have reached 11 pounds) do not need any
 calories during the night to remain healthy."   Also  that older
 "Breastfed babies often need five feedings each day (he's talking 24
 hours) until 6 months of age, when solids are introduced." >>

Maybe he's right.  I doubt it, but let's give it to him for a minute.  As per
Margaret's query, we likely don't have solid documentation one way or the
other as to the baby's round-the-clock caloric needs as he grows.

However, I think that misses the point.  Most of us know that breastfeeding is
about infinitely more than transferring calories from breast to baby.

Babies wake up and nurse because they are thirsty, just like adults.  They
wake up & nurse because they are lonely, cold, scared, or sick.  Adults often
wake up for those reasons, but know how to comfort themselves or seek comfort
from a spouse.  How heartless to suggest denying this comfort to a tiny,
helpless human being.  Whether or not they are hungry or in need of calories
seems to be entirely irrelevant.

There has been much debate WRT the nomenclature we use, particularly whether
to refer to the baby's experience at breast as "breastfeeding" or "nursing" or
some other term.  I believe that our continual use of any term with "feeding"
in it, devalues almost everything else that is going on between that mother
and baby.  It places an improper focus on calories and hunger.  By omission,
it trains people to evaluate behaviors in comparison to adult feeding.  Such
definitions are entirely too narrow.

I'm hard-pressed to think of literature for new parents that includes
information encouraging free access to breast in order that baby can help
himself to an extra portion of immune properties.  Very seldom is the issue of
thirst presented from the baby's perspective.  And while there have been
improvements as to the inclusion of attachment and relational issues in lay
literature, we have a ways to go.

It's been many years now since I had the joy of complaining to my husband
about being "up all night" with the baby.  It doesn't seem to have killed me
to spend literally years of nights dedicated to one of my babies.  Dare I
suggest that the close bond I enjoy with them has roots back to hours of
nursing in the quiet darkness--the only time when there were no interruptions
or distractions?  On this end, my only sadness and regret is that I'll never
again smell that sweet baby breath in the still of the night.

Nancy