Happy Friday!
How important is it really that I feed my children at the same time every day? Do they really need all that structure?
It depends on when you are talking about...2 year olds and older... yes, I found a schedule a good thing.
However, a schedule with breastfeeding infants, especially at the start, is potentially problematic to actually dangerous.
Many mothers, if they try to nurse every 3 to 4 hours after birth, end up not producing enough breast milk.
Breastfeeding often is important. The earlier you start breastfeeding, and the more often you breastfeed the sooner your milk will come in, and the more milk you will produce.
The first 6 weeks are critical. After that things often (but not always) settle down, and it is easier to space feedings and not feel perpetually tied to breastfeeding.
However, at each growth spurt feedings often greatly increase in frequency so that milk production can in turn increase in quantity. Once the milk production has increased the feeding times usually calm down.
If the baby's latch is correct, even frequent breastfeeding is comfortable. Also, an excellent latch means that the baby can milk the breast more effectively, so also more quickly, and breastfeed for shorter periods.
An uncomfortable latch is often not as productive, and so the baby might need to nurse for longer to get the same amount of milk.
And yes, breastfeeding does take a large amount of time. Breastfeeding twins takes even longer. However, it is a very short period of time in the grand scheme of things and incredibly important.
I'm a newbie with this whole bovine business, still wet behind the ears persay. You are so helpful, you know you're rare, it's hard to find someone who will tell you like it is. if I ever get to meet you, I'm gonna give you a big bear hug.
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