Nursing Mom Astounded by Realities of Newborns’ Feeding Schedules

Dana Schwartz (@danaschwartzzz) highlighted in an Instagram post, with over 68,000 likes, that she understood the necessity for newborns to be fed every two to three hours. What took her by surprise was that the timing commences “from when the baby begins feeding, not when they finish.”

The Reality of Nursing a Newborn

Schwartz initially believed that spacing feedings every two to three hours would be manageable as a new parent.

She thought, “I’ll breastfeed, then have a couple of hours to myself,” the influencer shares in a video. She planned to shower, nap, or eat during that time.

However, she quickly discovered that nursing a baby takes more time than anticipated. It can take half an hour or longer for the baby to feed, followed by burping and changing, making the entire process last close to an hour. This leaves only an hour or so before starting the cycle again.

Expressing her surprise, Schwartz remarks, “I have no time for anything else.” She describes breastfeeding as a round-the-clock responsibility. She jokingly suggests buying a slice of cake for a nursing individual, even though they may not get to enjoy it due to their busy schedule.

At Least This Nursing Mom Is Not Alone

Commenters swiftly expressed their connection with Schwartz’s story about her breastfeeding experience.

“And then you need to keep them upright for at least half an hour to prevent them from vomiting, but they still end up vomiting, so you have to change them completely. And the cycle continues,” mentioned one Positive Parent who is deeply engaged in feeding a newborn as well.

“And then there’s the phase of cluster feeding and growth spurts,” pointed out another individual. During this period of frequent feeding, there may only be a brief respite of half an hour—or even less—before the baby needs to feed again.

Furthermore, many commenters highlighted how short-lived the newborn stage can be.

“The positive aspect is that this phase passes quickly! Yet, the downside is that this phase passes quickly,” reflected one Instagram user.

The Positive Parent Perspective:

Another individual encouraged Schwartz to see the light at the end of the tunnel, assuring her that parenting does indeed become easier over time.

Support and Encouragement:

Several individuals aimed to uplift this new mom, emphasizing that as long as she is ensuring the well-being of her baby and herself, she is doing a great job.

Parenting Realities:

Many parents, myself included, face daily struggles in parenting. For instance, this morning, I breastfed my 3-week-old before taking my other child to preschool, a 30-minute drive from our home.

Upon arrival, I dropped my child off, returned to the car, and my baby was ready to nurse again. After feeding him in the parking lot, I drove back home. Despite a hasty breakfast, I sat down to feed him once more.

As I prepare to pick up my child, I anticipate feeding the baby before we leave and once again upon our return. It may seem challenging, but I find joy in this time, knowing how swiftly each stage passes, and I try to cherish my son in the present moment instead of dwelling on the demands of caring for a newborn.

Time for Nursing

With that being said, it is time for nursing. It is important to prioritize this aspect of caregiving.