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From: pete@pegasus.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.kids
Subject: Re: Demand versus scheduled feeding of infants
Message-ID: <821@pegasus.UUCP>
Date: Sun, 11-Dec-83 23:10:33 EST
Article-I.D.: pegasus.821
Posted: Sun Dec 11 23:10:33 1983
Date-Received: Tue, 13-Dec-83 05:38:25 EST
References: <492@linus.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Information Systems, Lincroft NJ
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Having 5 months experience with feeding an infant, I must share my
experience with you.  We are feeding our baby when she tells us she is
hungry, since every indication is that babies know when their stomachs
are empty and therefore need food.  The main reason we have been happy
with "demand" feeding is that our baby "self-regulated" herself into
sleeping through the night rather quickly (8 weeks of age).  Cannot say
whether this is the result of demand feeding, but it happened that way. 
Our baby also has the feeling that when she tells the world she needs
something, she gets a response--that is, she has an influence over what
happens to her.  I have heard of babies who are on a "schedule" who
become lackadasical eaters, since they are offered food when they are
not particularly hungry, and develop a disinterested attitude toward
food and do not gain as well.  I might also comment that our baby does
not cry particularly much; as a matter of fact, we've gotten comments
that she cries LESS than most babies.  Maybe you can tell we are
satisfied with using demand feeding....

				Pat Lane
				c/o Peter Silverman at ATT-IS
				pegasus!pete