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From:	Jennifer Tow, IBCLC (jennifer.vegsource.com)
Subject:	Re: Gas, reflux, mucous in poop, and irritability
Date:	January 8, 2007 at 8:39 pm PST

In Reply to: Re: Gas, reflux, mucous in poop, and irritability posted by Mom of 5 on January 8, 2007 at 12:50 pm:

Since human milk digests in 1 1/2 hours and a newborn's tummy is
the size of a golf ball (by several weeks--is only 7 cc at birth) and
should remain at that size for 6 months, then a baby will certainly
be hungry--desperately so, by 3 hours. A newborn fed every 3
hours is eating a maxiumum of 8 times in 24 hours, This is the
very minimum frequency for feeding a newborn and for most
babies will not ensure adequate growth. Scheduling feedings is a
huge risk factor for failure to thrive. Babies forced to feed so
infrequently do not learn to trust their body's own signals and will
tend to overeat when they are fed and are prone to premature
weaning as well as growth and developmental delays.

Mothers who schedeule feedings are at significantly increased risk
of plugged ducts, mastitis, low milk supply and premature
weaning. Breastfeeding is a relationship in which the baby directs
in the act of feeding and the mother provides the environment in
which he can succeed. Structured feeding interferes with the
organic nature of the relationship and introduces a greta deal of
risk into the breastfeeding relationship and its success.

With all due respect, infants do not require "tough love", just a
wllingness on our part to surrender to their needs and allow them
to teach us to mother them well.
Jennifer

• AAP Media Alert on Scheduled Feedings