my son is 2 weeks old. when it's night time, is it okay for him to sleep for 7 hours without a feed?

Amanda - posted on 10/04/2009

Quoting Nicole:

My oldest did the same. My doctor recommended waking him up, but we let him sleep until he was hungry. They are going to let you know when they are hungry and they too need sleep. I wouldn't worry about it.

My oldest did the same as well and he is now 6 1/2 and doing just fine:) Yup they will deff let you know when they want to eat,and my youngest who is 5weeks has only slept for like 6 hrs two nights since he has been home...so not every child sleeps so enjoy it while you can...lol

Miranda - posted on 10/04/2009

As long as he is going through 6 diapers a day, the baby is getting enough milk. Yes, let the baby sleep. I agree with the other moms that say he'll let you know when he's hungry. But, don't expect his sleeping pattern to stay the same. He may be sleeping 7 hours one night, but next week he will be waking up every 2-3. Just go with his flow, and listen to your momma instincts!

Jacqueline - posted on 10/04/2009

My daughter started sleeping through the night at two weeks too. I asked my doctor about it and she said if she doesn't wake herself up, let her sleep. So if he is sleeping through the night and not waking himself up, let him. It should be ok. Just be sure to feed him before he lays down and when he does wake up (or when you wake him in the morning)

Lisa - posted on 10/04/2009

Count yourself lucky and get some sleep! Just make sure you take the necessary SIDS precautions: no loose blankets or pillows in the crib, maybe even turn a little fan on in the room, and get a baby monitor or something to make sure you hear baby when he wakes up. Some babies actually DO sleep, contrary to popular notion. My oldest son did the same thing--scared me to death at first, but soon I learned to just sleep when I could. Now I wish my second would do it too!

Amber - posted on 10/04/2009

consider yourself lucky and run to your bed for some shuteye

Alice - posted on 10/04/2009

I don't know if it's ok but if it was me I wouldn't wake him. He will let you know when he is hungry by waking up. My son slept through from only 6 weeks and he is a happy well contented almost 7 month old. Should help him learn night from day.

Amy - posted on 10/04/2009

My baby is 10 weeks old now and he has always selpt through the night an he is gainin weight so quickly. Babies wake up when they are hungry, they sleep when they need the sleep. I wouldnt worry about it. I only woke my son if I was feeling uncomfortable as I'm breastfeedin but that was only the first couple of weeks as has settled down now.

Samantha - posted on 10/04/2009

I would just leave him, if he was hungry or had a wet nappy he would wake up and tell you both my daughters did the same and they are 4 and 9months and very happy and well

Nyoka - posted on 10/04/2009

when i had my son, my midwife told me to wake him every 3 hours for a feed! that was during the day and during the night.. my son had a lil jaunduce and feeding helps to flush that out of their system!! i think for 1 2 weeks old you should wake them up to feed but maybe a 2 months old i wouldnt be so concerend. depending on how the baby is doing!!

Ashley - posted on 10/03/2009

Not at two weeks old, no.

Jessica - posted on 10/03/2009

At this age I would say that waking him up every 3-4 hours is good. Like one mother said sometimes it is hard for them to wake. Also it is a "safety" measure.

Sarah - posted on 10/03/2009

YES YES YES! It everything will be OK. My daughter is 9 months old now, she started slept though the night after the 2nd night home. She would go to bed at 9 and wake up around 7 the next morning. Now she is going to bed at 8 and waking up at 8! It is wonderful, it is good for BOTH mom and baby. Do not start waking him up, or you will make him fall into that routine...and babies like routines, so if you start, it will be hard to break him of that mid night feeding. Babies WILL NOT starve themselves! If he is hungry, he will let you know :)

Amanda - posted on 10/03/2009

When my daughter was that old I would wake her up at least every 2 hours and feed her. At that age they need to be eating more frequently to develop.

Cassie - posted on 10/03/2009

Some babies have a hard time waking up, I find it unusual that a 2 weeks old is sleeping through the night. My son was 6 weeks before he was sleeping all night long, he was fed at least every 4 hours until then. But my son was breastfed and it tends to go through the digestive system faster so if your baby is on formula he may be staying full longer. I would take to a pediatritian about it though, all children are different and all doctors have different things they prefer be done!

Kristy - posted on 10/03/2009

Both my kids slept through the night from the very start. Trust me when they are hungry they will let you know.......and it might not last long. Babies change every day, next week he might be up every 4 hours. I wouldn't worry unless you notice that he is losing weight.

Melissa - posted on 10/03/2009

"let sleeping dogs lay."

i hate to compare..but as far as EATING goes, children are very much like dogs. they'll eat when they're hungry, they'll sleep when they're tired.

my doctor told me something, and it really does make sense:...........

adults eat for many reasons (hunger, boredom, stress, etc). kids are not like adults tho. they eat only for hunger.

another thing that the doc pointed out is that sleep is a MAJOR part of the growth process from birth to mid/late teens. (also explains why teens like to sleep 12 hours.....cuz they really ARE tired. ....sleep refuels them from rapidly rising/dropping horomones during these years). .........i love my doctor....she's extremely intelligent! .....

anyways, got a lil off topic there. back to the sleeping thing. i think it's ok for a baby to sleep as long as he/she needs in the first few weeks for sure. just keep checking on him/her, and keep an eye on the soft spot. if you notice that it's sinking in, then that means he/she is dehydrated, and will NEED to be roused out of sleep to feed in that case.

Parica - posted on 10/03/2009

be thankful he is and is not waking up every two hours. My first little girl was like that she sleep throw the night at 2 weeks old

Jasmine - posted on 10/03/2009

I would have to say no. The doctor says that ur baby must eat every two hours especially when they r that new in order for them to get the proper nutrition for their young bodies to grow.

Alexis - posted on 10/03/2009

I think that it is fine. my son is 2 months old and does the same thing. They will let you know when they are hungry. As long as he is putting out lots of wet diapers and gaining weight. If you aren't sure call your doc and ask if you can swing by for a quick weight instead of waiting for the next apptment. Your the mom you'll now if something is a miss. Good luck!

Carlene - posted on 10/03/2009

My daughter slept that way almost from day one. I would check on her every few hours to make sure she was breathing hadn't rolled and ecetera, I happily enjoyed the extra sleep she gave me though. She at a few weeks old slept almost a full twelve hours. During the day she was active and healthy and happy. Every baby is different, but I'll say this she still sleeps that way. She thinks staying up late is 9pm and she gets up like clockwork at 6am. If thats the way you slep during your late pregnancy the baby may have already adjusted to it as my doctor suggested. Ask yours, just to be sure.

Lyndsay - posted on 10/03/2009

I was reading through the replies and something caught my eye. If your baby is jaundiced, you should wake him up. A baby with jaundice will continue to sleep and not eat, which may result in weight loss. However, I am assuming this is not the case as they probably would not have let you leave the hospital.

Lyndsay - posted on 10/03/2009

I don't see a problem with this. If he's hungry, he will wake up. If he goes 7 hours without eating, he'll probably wake up famished and eat a whole lot. I would really only be concerned if he is sleeping that long and then waking up and not eating much.

Fawn - posted on 10/03/2009

At two weeks old, i would try and wake ur son up. When my son was 2 weeks old he was getting up every 2 or 3 hours for a feeding.

Kat - posted on 10/03/2009

Im a third time mum,and its fine for your baby to sleep for that long without a feed he will let you know when hes hungry and never wake your baby to change their nappy unless they need changing it makes them grumpy when you wake them up,always let babies wake up on their own accord.You cant make your baby take a bottle or breast when they are not hungry.

Liela - posted on 10/03/2009

I think its fine. If he is hungry he would wake up for a bottle. As long as u know he is getting more then enough feeding during the day I believe it won't effect him in anyway.

Bridgette - posted on 10/03/2009

is he jaundiced? because my son was jaundiced and he would sleep all the time. The doctor told me to wake him up after four hours if he doesn't wake to feed at night. Jaundiced babies will sleep and sleep.

Sandra - posted on 10/03/2009

no i wouldnt wake him he will wake when he is hungry i was told wake my son at that age and i upset his nite sleep and he is now 9 and he still dont sleep i didnt wake up my next baby ha ha and she done fine

Lauren - posted on 10/03/2009

I was always told my doctors to never wake a sleeping baby. He obviously needs sleep and would wake up if he was hungry.

Debbie - posted on 10/03/2009

i have five children and they all slept right through from birth and none of the suffered i let them sleep they woke when they was hungry i wouldnt worry i have five healthy kids

Jennifer - posted on 10/03/2009

My son is now 6 months and he has slept through the night since he was two weeks, for a while i woke up after 4 hours just to make sure but my doctor advised me that it was okay. He's still sleeping through the night and is doing great!

Angela - posted on 10/03/2009

Are you breastfeeding? Then no. But formula lasts longer in the belly so if your baby is formula feed that it's fine.

Julia - posted on 10/03/2009

Jessica, I was told by my doctor that as long as the baby is back to his/her birth weight you can let them sleep as long as they need to. My daughter reached her birth weight within a week but during that time she slept much longer than the 2-3 hours recommended for feeding. She is doing wonderfully and there were never any problems regarding her weight, sleep or feeding activity.

Robyn - posted on 10/03/2009

Let sleeping babies lie. Thats what my gram used to say. And they will let you know when that are hungry. I was lucky enough to have 3 sleeping babies. they always woke up to eat at some point. They might want their bottle asap when they get up. My daughter screams when she wants it and she wants it now. The attitude already starting. ha ha.

Jessica - posted on 10/02/2009

your baby will let you know if he is hungry...enjoy him sleeping through the night! my son started sleeping all night at about 4 weeks and i never gave it a second thought! he is now 2 and a half and has always slept through the night with no problems!

Tia - posted on 10/02/2009

My son would sleep through the night if we allowed him to. Our doc. told me to set my alarm to go off every 3-4hrs during the night to feed him and to make sure he was still breathing.

Kristy - posted on 10/02/2009

my last two slept through from 2 days onwards i work nights so when i got home at 12 am i used to wake the last one up and feed him it depends on the weather in summer u wont to feed them more so they wont dehydrate but check whith your doctor ,

Jessica - posted on 10/02/2009

my advise to you is to enjoy it...cause he may wake up during the night after a while....babies will let you know if they are hungry.....if you start waking them for feeds during the night, they will start waking all the time for them...the idea is to get them to sleep throughout the night without feeds.......if your baby is at a healthy weight with no problems...then i would just let him sleep throughout the night...thats what i did

Cassie - posted on 10/02/2009

Does your baby cluster feed before he sleeps for the 7 hours? My baby girl does the same thing but will cluster feed for 3 hours before she falls asleep for that long.

The best advice someone gave me was "Don't wake a sleeping baby" and it was the nurse when my daughter was in the NICU

Rekia - posted on 10/02/2009

yes it is my son and daughter both was like that! their not goin to starve themselves

Rekia - posted on 10/02/2009

yes it is my son and daughter both was like that! their not goin to starve themselves

Michelle - posted on 10/02/2009

Both my kids did the same thing but as long as he is still eating well during the day and gaining weight all is good consider yourself lucky

Ashley - posted on 10/02/2009

p.s. ever heard of the saying never wake a sleeping baby:) i let mine sleep when he would and i slept when he slept:)

Ashley - posted on 10/02/2009

the day my son got home from the hospital he was only waking up twice and his doctor said it was fine. they know when they're hungry and he will let you know. the only thing is if he's not gaining weight you'll have to start waking him up to feed him, but my son is 10 months old and very healthy and was sleeping through the night at 7 weeks. you probably just have a really good sleeper. and trust me that's awesome to have. mine still is an awesome sleeper unless he's sick:(

Chenine - posted on 10/02/2009

yes its fine, when they get hungry they will wake up an let you no

Stephanie - posted on 10/02/2009

If your two week old is sleeping 7 hours without waking up then GOD BLESS THAT KID! Yes the doctors will reccomend that they are woken up. But 95% of these people (including me) weren't woken up. You won't get sleep and you will drive yourself insane.

Tonya - posted on 10/02/2009

I had the same thing happen and talked to her doctor. They told me to not let her go past 4 hours at that age. Now she is 11 weeks and sleeps thru the night at sometimes 11 hours without eating. Based on weight gain the doctor says it is ok now and that I have hit the baby lotto. I think the best thing you can do is just talk to the doctor about it. Every baby is diff when it comes to that kind of thing.

Jessica - posted on 10/02/2009

My daughter did the same thing. I just made sure she ate enough during the day. When she woke up even a little I would change him. Pampers also has these 12 hour safe absorbant diapers that I started using just at night.

Kellie - posted on 10/02/2009

I think its fine Jessica, 3 out of my 4 children slept right through the night from 2 wks old!! It helps you out too! If he's feeding alright through the day then let him sleep he's obviously very content!

Helen - posted on 10/02/2009

it is fine - at 4 weeks my little one was sleeping through the night 10 hours +

Staci - posted on 10/02/2009

My son did the same thing. And i let him sleep all night if he wanted to. I believed that when he was hungry he would let me know. He was just fine. He ate plenty during the day to be okay at night too. Any dr would say to feed them every 3 hours, but not all babies are the same. They dont have the same appetite. Nothing was every wrong with him. The dr always said he was perfectly healthy.