DD was born 10 days ago, and for the first week or so she woke quite regularly every 3 hours for feeds. Now she's feeding between 2-4 hours during the day, but the last two nights she's gone for 5-6 hour stretches. Not that I'm complaining, it's great to get sleep, but should I be waking her more regularly at night? She's solely breastfed, and I would imagine that if hungry she'd be waking when needed, but I also worry that however small the chance, she's not waking regularly because she's just too tired?
Just wanted to add that when she does wake from an epic stretch of sleep, she's not feeding for any longer than after a 2 or 3 hour day stretch...
If only every baby came with their own personalised instruction manual!!!
Personally, I wouldn't wake her. Like you said, if she is hungry, needs you, whatever - she will wake up.
However, a few questions that might help you are:
How are her happies during the day - are they wet? How many does she go through during the day? Also, what has her weight been like - has she been gaining? When will you go back to get her weighed?
I don't think I'd worry too much as long as she still has plenty of wet and dirty nappies and she's gaining weight. They change so much in those first few months that it might not last long so enjoy it while it does.
If you're getting lots of poos (better indicator than wet nappies in the first month or so) and good weight gains, then should be fine. How many feeds is she having in 24 hours? Generally like a minimum of 8 to ensure you establish a good supply. It's quite common for babies to be sleepy in the early weeks, but they tend to wake up after a bit. so maybe just keep an eye on things adn enjoy your sleep!
Doesn't matter how long she's feeding, they're all different on that score.
My older sister from the day she was brought home slept from 6pm til 6am, my mum was worried but she was a very content baby never cried and fed normally gained weight like a trooper.
Our DD was like that, more so during the day though, and at her first weigh in with the MCHN about 2 weeks after leaving hospital, we found she'd only gained 60g So, from my experience, I'd be inclined to wake her at least throughout the day to ensure she's really getting enough to eat.
Our DD was little (6lb 8oz) and a very sleepy baby. We had a lot of BF issues because of this and we had to wake her for feeds until she was 6 or so weeks plus give her top ups (EBM) after every feed until she grew strong enough to wake and feed properly on her own. I was expressing around the clock, the whole experience was very stressful.
Sorry, don't want to scare you but I had to share my experience with a sleepy baby. Just a few things to think about.
My two DSs were exactly the same and just like you I was worried. As long as she is gaining weight and has plenty of wet nappies I wouldn't be waking her unless she seems really drowsy during the day too. My DSs were quite alert when they were actually awake so Id say that would also be an indicator as to whether she is getting enough nourishment. As long as everything is ok I say enjoy the sleep while you can get it because her sleeping could change again at any time.
She probably gets an average of 7 feeds in 24 hours. Sometimes during the day she'll feed, then want a quick 'top up' an hour later. Then she'll go another 2-3 hours.
7 is definitely on the low end so it's worth watching. There is a big variation in normal, of course, but some bubs do get into trouble like Taureans. They seem fine, may even be gaining weight, but once the initial oversupply settles down the low number of feeds may not be enough to establish a good supply. And some babies just cruise - take just enough but don't really demand well enough.
BUT. Watch her. You will know if it's not enough. If you see a big slowdown in poos (after 6-7 weeks it's normal for them to poo much less frequently) or any other sign of dehydration etc, then wake her and feed her more often. 12+ feeds is normal at this age. Those little top-ups do count as feeds, so it may be that she's a very efficient feeder & good sleeper Most of the time, it all works if we feed babies when they want to feed.
What's that old saying?? Never wake a sleeping baby...?
I never woke my babies for night feeds once they showed they could sleep through for a decent amount of time. I always made sure they were fed anywhere between 2-4 hours on the breast (aimed for 3 hourly but some days were all over the place) and 3-4 with formula.
Some say it takes 3 nights of consistent "sleeping through" (4-5 hours) for them to get into the habit. Most babies who wake after 3-4 months are just waking from habit not because they are hungry, if they are getting enough during the day. Although I always thought it was hard with breastfeeding...never seemed to fill mine up enough.
Good luck, just do your best, but enjoy the sleeping baby at night!!!
Averaging 6 feeds in 24 hours - generally 3 hourly between 6am and 10pm. She's gaining weight like a champ! And last 4 nights she's consistently slept 7 - 7 1/2 hours - it's bliss!!!
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Newborn sleeping for 6+ hours at night?
So, from my experience, I'd be inclined to wake her at least throughout the day to ensure she's really getting enough to eat.
' I'd let her sleep....it won't last so enjoy! xxxx
Most of the time, it all works if we feed babies when they want to feed.
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