The Nursing Baby - Q&A

There are a couple of issues you have brought up - frequency of nursing and demand feeding. If you've read some of these columns, you may have noticed I am a big advocate of demand feeding! Let your babies decide when to nurse and what to eat. Babies thrive when given this control (assuming you offer healthy choices). At the same time, your twins are in the most vulnerable time period for weaning. Nursing strikes are most common at 9 months. This is when babies often become gymnastic nursers - stretching around during nursing sessions so there is no chance that they miss any action going on. Sometimes they are so gymnastic they have to be gently encouraged to stay in place (since mom's breasts are NOT portable!) They may ask to nurse less frequently because nursing can be a bit boring for them at this age. They sometimes become "speed nursers" and will connect and nurse quite quickly - or want to connect for 30 seconds every 20 minutes!

Anywhere from every hour to every 8 hours can be normal nursing frequencies at this age. I do think it's a good idea to encourage nursing more often than four hours, especially if you are not attempting to wean during this time period. At the same time, be very respectful of baby's refusal to nurse or finishing a nursing session.

Babies are more vulnerable to weaning during this time period, and it is a good idea to not give any supplements by bottle, and take care with supplements of water/juice by cup (if at all). One noted nutritionist recommends that babies receive only about 100 calories per day in solid form between 6-9 months, and less than 250 per day between 9 and 12 months. That's just a general guideline.

I would keep in mind that nursing and bottle schedules were designed by theoreticians at the beginning of the century as a method to make the American workforce (assumed to be factory workers) able to work 10-12 hour days easily. Some babies thrive on very set routines - it can help them to stay in a better temperament when food and naps always comes at very regular intervals. Some babies (just like some adults) need little routine and go with the flow differently every day. I would tell you to follow your gut instincts about your babies, and what they need. Your husband's concerns should be addressed as well. Perhaps he thinks 5 hours is the right amount because his mother scheduled all her babies. Or perhaps he thinks you are worn out by frequent nursing. Or perhaps he is ready for the babies to wean and is looking for signs. All good things to discuss, since fathers support of breastfeeding is the number one reason why women nurse, or don't nurse their babies!