Waking up baby for my own selfishness

Shana - posted on 04/20/2010

Thanks everyone! She's just about six months old, she doesn't wake up to feed at night, but I have learned recently that Dream Feeding is a wonderful thing for me, and allows me to sleep longer!

Amanda- I took your advice and started cleaning more when I got off work, and it gives me more time in the morning and afternoon to just enjoy her.
Beck- Even if I'm not working one night 99% of the time I'm awake until about two AM anyways, so if she gets used to feeding in the middle of the night, I guess it's okay with me. :D

Thanks again everyone!

Stina - posted on 04/16/2010

Hey Shana- I worked a swing shift for a while and would nurse my dd when I got home too. It helped her sleep longer so that I was able to get a longer stretch of unbroken sleep.

How old is she? If she's not waking up for the feed, or if you still have to nurse her at some point in the night, I wouldn't worry or feel bad about picking her up and nursing her. Feeding her while she's still asleep is called a "dream feed"

If she's an older baby who might sleep through the night without eating, maybe just sit next to the crib and touch her back or hold her hand. I loved gazing at my first baby when I got home from work.

Amanda - posted on 04/16/2010

I don't think there is anything wrong with wanting to be with your baby when you get home. Do you cosleep? If you feel comfortable with that maybe you could get what you need just by bringing her into your bed when you are going to sleep. That way you get to cuddle and look at her and love on her while she either nurses herself back to sleep or if she even wakes up and is nursing in her sleep! (That is one of my favorite things to watch...the sleep nursing. They look so happy and content) Another thing you might try that works for me (I work odd hours too) is to clean the house a little each night when you get home while she is asleep and then when you get up the next day you won't have as much to do so you can spend time with her. I have to admit that I am guilty of getting my cuddle time with my baby even while they sleep and if they wake up I have the perfect pacifier attached to me! Changing their schedule will work too. My oldest would stay up late and then sleep in with me in the morning so we got plenty of time to hang out in the morning. Good luck finding what works for you

April - posted on 04/16/2010

cherish the time before 3 pm....don't clean the house! :)

Candice - posted on 04/16/2010

I changed baby's schedule to match mine :)

Andrea - posted on 04/15/2010

I hate to say this, cause I know how you feel, but remember that sleep is JUST as important as food - they needs sleep to process the food and grow. If it's close to the time he usually wakes up anyway, not a big deal - but routine is so important for infants.

Beck - posted on 04/15/2010

No I completly (well sort of cos your day sounds much harder than mine!) Sometimes when we have had a lovely day together or if I have been at work and haven't seen him as much I have to stop myself going in and cuddling him when he is asleep. The difference is my bub is now 13mths and so it does wake him and then its on!! so i have to have a quick peek in and thats all! I dont think occasionally it would affect her sleep, especially if your feeding her cos they normally go straight to sleep (and it would be good for your supply) Not sure if it would get her used to feeding at that time. But if you are happy to do it on the nights your not working....