Parent-Directed Feeding (PDF) or Feeding on Demand?

Hello ladies,

I've been doing a lot of reading on different methods for helping your newborn to eventually acquire a feeding schedule, and it seems that there are these two main schools of thought on how to do this, which is just confusing me more. I've seen that there is some controversy associated with PDF vs. feeding on demand, but I also have co-workers who swear by the book "On Becoming Babywise" in particular as being the end all be all guide to how to breastfeed successfully. I'd appreciate your thoughts on which method has worked best for you. I'm taking a breastfeeding class next month, but I like to get all kinds of opinions on this sort of thing from moms who have "been there." Thanks in advance...  

[mikaleen]

Have you researched babywise?  If not, please do.  It has been linked to many many issues such as dehydration and failure to thrive.  The author is not a Dr., he is a Christian minister, a Dr. was later added as co-author, but there is not confidence that he actually ever contributed to the book.

The great controversy stems in large part from the fact that the "Babywise" approach represents a harsh throwback to decades-old and widely discredited child-care manuals in which mothers were advised to watch the clock rather than their babies' signals in determining when breast or bottle should be offered. Today, in response to extensive research into infant nutrition and growth, experts strongly advise against "scheduling" and in favor of feeding, preferably breast-feeding, according to a baby's cues. In recent months, the American Academy of Pediatrics issued a "Media Alert" in which the organization emphatically "reaffirms its stance that the best feeding schedules for babies are the ones babies design themselves." The alert went on to say that "scheduled feedings designed by parents may put babies at risk for poor weight gain and dehydration."

"Parents shouldn't try to put their healthy infants on feeding schedules," says Susan Baker, M.D., chairwoman of the Committee on Nutrition for the AAP and an associate professor at the Medical University of South Carolina. "Babies' feeding needs are extremely variable. You should nurse your baby when she's hungry or shows signs of being hungry, no matter when she last ate."

Our bodies are made to produce milk on demand.  If baby is hungry, and we feed, we will produce more milk.  If we don't feed, our bodies will adjust and produce less, thinking we don't need as much.  If we schedule feedings we will not produce enough milk and our babies will suffer.  Babies also hit periods of intense growth and during these times they need more calories and will nurse much more often to increase our supplies to meet their growing needs.

I know this is my opinion, but I feel so strongly about this.  Babies cry to make their needs known, and breastfed babies do not overeat.  If a baby is crying because they are hungry, they are hungry.  As far as I am concerned if they are ignored so as to be out on a schedule, it is akin to neglect...it is not the same as my toddler being denied some candy after ignoring her lunch.

All you can do is research on your own, but please please research Babywise to form your own feelings and opinions before following any advice stemming from any of his methods.  You are giving your baby a wonderful start by intending to breastfeed, and you will do what feels right to you.  The more informed you are, the better you can shape your feelings and know what feels right.  The breastfeeding class will be a wonderful start, and you will learn a lot.

Good luck!

[Whitneylauren]

Jennie-
I have nursed both my boys exclusively until they self- weened around 18 months. My answer to your question is solely based on my personal opinion and experience with my children. I should also say that I have never had problems with milk production, latching or infection so I tend to be a little biased as it was always easy for me. ;)

From birth I always fed my boys on demand. I feel that as adults it is our job to adapt to the needs of the infant, not the schedule of the parent. That being said, I also co slept with both my boys until they were each 1, and nursed them to sleep every night. It is so easy to cuddle with your little one in bed and just nurse as baby wakes. I have never suffered from lack of sleep with a newborn infant ever. Over time my sons began sleeping through the night without any stress or push from me.

My twins will be born around the same time as your little one, and I have every intention of doing the same thing with them. Whatever you decide will for sure be the right thing for you, just remember not to stress about it. Stress, in my experience, usually become the catalyst for most of our difficulties as parents.

[Jennie1211]

Thanks so much for your responses ladies...yes, I actually have researched the book quite a bit and have read some negative articles on it...without having any experience to fall back on, your responses were essentially my first instinct--that the theory behind it seemed to be more in tune with training your child from the very beginning to show them "who's in charge here" for lack of a better expression. This seemed very odd to me, but I was surprised that several people I know have advocated the method so much. I even see it mentioned on other forums as being a great way to go. My inclination though is to just feed on demand and not worry about my own personal comfort, quite frankly :)

[trying43]

I have bf all three of mine.(still bf #3) I always have done on demand.  It can be rough sometimes but worth it.  I may be wrong but since breastmilk digests faster a schedule wont work because the baby will be hungry before the scheduled time to eat.  Also when bf you don't know how much baby is getting so that needs to be taken into consideration.  Good luck glad ur researching and getting informed.

[zazou]

I breastfed my eldest on demand and our newborn as well and they thrive the best that way. Our paediatricians and mid-wife also told us to do so. In addition, it helps keep your supply up. Here are some positive aspects of breastfeeding on demand:

- Frequent feedings reduce the time it takes for a woman’s milk to come in. In one study, moms who breastfed newborns every two hours began lactating eat least 24 hours earlier than did moms who breastfed every four hours (Salariya et al 1978).

- Frequent breastfeeds increase a mother’s prolactin levels, and high prolactin levels are needed to establish an adequate milk supply. In a U.S. study, breastfeeding frequency of about 10 times a day (range: 7-13 times a day) was associated with sufficient milk (de Carvalo et al 1982).

- Frequent feedings during the newborn period are associated with long-term breastfeeding success. Moms who breastfeed frequently are more likely to continue breastfeeding after the newborn phase (e.g., Salariya et al 1978).

- More frequent feedings (8-12 times per 24 hours) during the first weeks of life are associated with greater overall milk intake (De Carvalho et al 1983) and greater weight gain at 15 days (De Carvalho et al 1983) and six weeks (Casiday et al 2004) of age.

- Newborns vary greatly in the amount of milk (or formula) they consume during a single feed (e.g., Pollitt et al 1978). As a result, some babies require more frequent feedings to achieve the same daily caloric intake. A demand-style newborn feeding schedule permits babies to adjust to their individual circumstances.

Hope that helps. I just went with feeding on demand, that was my instinct and it worked best for us. Good luck :-)

[allmymarbles]

I always fed on demand. The babies ultimately made their own schedules. In the early weeks the poor little things are always hungry, but have such little stomachs that trying to fit them into a schedule, either making them wait, or waking them up, seems a bit unkind. I never had the heart for that.

[SunWorshiper_26]

Listen to your mommy instincts :) I too nursed on demand. It was wonderful, easy and a perfect bonding experience. I also bed share with my 1 year old and nurse her to sleep every night. I love having that time with her to nurse, cuddle and fall asleep :).

[mature_enough]

All of the above statements are awesome! :) Jennie, you are such an awesome mom for weighing out your choices too. It's really good that you are so open to suggestions and doing research on your own. We always encourage feeding on demand. :)