Wake a sleeping baby to feed

Jill - posted on 05/16/2010

my doctor said to never wake a sleeping baby not even when newborn, they'll let you know when they're hungry...i breastfeed and have had no problem with milk production waiting on him. he lets me know just fine....and he is thriving at birth weighed 8lb 11oz and now at 2 months he weight 14 lbs and is 25.5 inches....which is off the charts...his height is the average of a 5 month old....

Leah - posted on 05/14/2010

I had the same weight problem. Mine is also now gaining weight steady. I don't wake her to feed or feed her because she is due for a feed. I figure that she'll let me know when she's hungry and she does.

Pippa - posted on 05/09/2010

Let her sleep. She might be more hungry when she wakes and will then have a good feed.

Jessica - posted on 05/08/2010

I had the same question and asked our pediatrician.....she told me, during the day he should be woke at least every 4 hours, but at night to let him sleep as long as he would.

Stephanie - posted on 05/07/2010

Same with my baby girl... I don't wake her, I just let her sleep.. But I heard you don't want to make them wait longer than 4 hours to eat during the da. at night, it's ok....

Elizabeth - posted on 05/07/2010

I went through weight issues with my son in the first few weeks because he was always sleeping. His weight is great now and the doctor told me he can sleep through the night. He is now 6 weeks old. As long as your baby has gained their birth weight back let them sleep through the night. If your baby is not gaining weight then your doctor might tell you to wake her up.

Heather - posted on 05/05/2010

I was told only to wake her until she reached birth weight. As long at she eats at least 8 times/day, it is normal to have times of day where she goes longer in between feedings.

Jules - posted on 05/04/2010

Hi Kayla,
I had the same issue with my baby who is now a month old, I was told by my midwife the best thing is to make sure u dont let them sleep past five hours without a feed, u should wake her.

Dawna - posted on 05/04/2010

Durng the day I would wake her but let her sleep through the night as much as you can. My baby girl is just two mths and she takes two hour naps after each feeding and sleeps through the night. I believe it is because she is satisfied throughout the day. But then, that is my personal opinion.

Jennifer - posted on 05/04/2010

Don't wake her! lol
My DD is sleeping 8+ hours at night and I don't wake her.

Amanda - posted on 05/03/2010

the first couple of days after birth i would say yes, but after that let them sleep! lol u'll enjoy it

Tina - posted on 05/02/2010

Often times, breastfeed babies lose weight the first week due to both you and the baby learning to latch on right. Glad she is gaining weight back at a good rate, thats whats most important. Your baby will in fact let you know when she is hungry. But, since she is still very young its suggested you don't let them go longer than 5 hours for a feeding because of low sugar issues. I feed my 5 week old every two hours, which he generally wakes up for his feedings. But, on occasion he will sleep for 3 1/2 hours, which is fine, just be sure to feed them as soon as they wake up. With you baby being bottled fed, she is getting a set amoung and is being encouraged to finish the bottle, so she may be get very full which is tying her over longer until the next feeding.

Kayla - posted on 05/02/2010

Thank you everyone for your advice and information. :)

Krystin - posted on 04/30/2010

Let your baby sleep :) Be one of the few that has that luxury. My son is 8 wks old now and sleeps between 6-8 hrs at night. I used to get really worried and after talking to my lact consultant and his ped. They both agreed that its ok for them to sleep, it really means that they are getting enough to eat during the day that they really have no need to wake up at night. Do keep on the every 2-3hr schedule even if she doesnt act hungry. I personally havent had a problem with my milk production, but if that something your worried about then you can set an alarm and pump. Enjoy your sleep!!!

Mary - posted on 04/29/2010

some pediatricians may disagree, but if she's back at birth weight let her sleep!!

Heidi - posted on 04/26/2010

every baby loses weight wen there just born mone lost a pound and a half but gained it back in a week or so. i dont wake my little girl for a feed shes 6 weeks old and if shes hungry she will wake up for one im trying to get her into a routine and so far its working if i dont wake her for a feed just keep ya milk in fridge on stand by n u will b ok

Stacey - posted on 04/25/2010

My number 5 Bub is 3wks and has done a couple of 8hr stretches at night already and mostly goes 6hrs.I wouldn't wake a sleeping baby at night...enjoy and encourage this. I have never let my bubs go longer than 4hrs during the day between feeds and usually try and keep it to about 3hrly even if that means waking them sometimes.They get plenty of feeds this way and I believe it sets them up for the the right routine of sleeping at night, eating and playing during the day as they get older.

Amy - posted on 04/25/2010

i agree wiv every1 else, my 5 week old sleeps n eats 4 britain, so i let him sleep as much as he wants as the more they sleep the bigger they grow and develop! so enjoy the peace while u can and get some xtra sleep in as it will all change soon xx

Tee - posted on 04/25/2010

My 6 wk old sleeps longer than three hours @ night.So I let him sleep and I just pump throughout the night as needed.When he wakes up, I then feed him.As long as there's no problems with weight or anything, let the baby sleep. They always let you know when they are hungry.

Leeanne - posted on 04/25/2010

My baby is breast fed but often sleeps longer than 3 hours especially at night. She is 4 weeks old. I wouldn't wake a baby unless they were prem or underweight.

Alyssa - posted on 04/25/2010

my pediatrician told me not to wake my little guy to feed (not that i need to because he wants to eat all the time!)...the dr said it was only necessary to wake babies to feed them if they were really young and had not gotten back up to their birth weight or if there were problems, like they weren't gaining enough weight, etc.

Diane - posted on 04/23/2010

I would wake her during the day every 2 to 3 hrs, if she is anything like my 1 month he sleeps so much during the day and doesn't sleep so well at night. I make sure I wake him enough during the day and have him do his longer sleeps at night. I would never wake a baby at night unless they are not gaining the wt they need. hope this helps

Emma - posted on 04/23/2010

I wouldn't bother disturbing her, she will let you know for sure when she's hungry aslong as she's feeding and seems contempt then everything should be fine, just enjoy the extra sleep lol :) take care

Sheila - posted on 04/23/2010

I think it's more important to wake them if you're breastfeeding for milk production. I would let her sleep as long as she's gaining weight. Enjoy your extra sleep!

Amy - posted on 04/23/2010

If she's gaining weight still then I would let her sleep! I wouldn't wake her unless the dr expressed concern about how much she's gaining!