BF'ing mom's: Do I really need to wake her?

DD ate at 7AM (a bottle, sadly ) and she is still asleep. I want to try and nurse her but I don't know if I should wake her or let her sleep. She was awake from 8PM-2AM last night, then slept until 6:30 (she nursed and had a bottle then).

I know the LC says to wake her but I think she will fall asleep at the breast so what is the point?

Re: BF'ing mom's: Do I really need to wake her?

I would gently wake her and put her to the breast. One of the best tricks I learned at the hospital was to gently rub Asher's cheek near his ear -- it always got him sucking, even when he was sleeping. Dh and I call it his "on button." How long have you been breastfeeding? If you're stilll in the early weeks your breasts need a lot of stimulation to establish your milk supply. Good luck!

Re: BF'ing mom's: Do I really need to wake her?

I asked my pediatrician about this the other day, he said that as long as they are eating well during the day-- it's okay to let them sleep a little longer between feedings at night. It's one of those things that will vary from person to person. Good luck! :)

Re: BF'ing mom's: Do I really need to wake her?

has your dr, told her to leave her if she is sleeping. In the beginning we were told to wake them, so they gain.

Re: BF'ing mom's: Do I really need to wake her?

I never woke E to feed her

Re: BF'ing mom's: Do I really need to wake her?

I would let her sleep if it was at night, but wake her during the day. I think I was advised to wake ds for feeding every few hours during the day to help him get his days and nights straight.

Re: BF'ing mom's: Do I really need to wake her?

Here's my 2 cents. I had a really good sleeper and I thought it was such a gift so I let her sleep b/w feedings and she was fine but my supply on the other hand completely dried up b/c I wasn't feeding her the 8-10 times a day that I should have. So as long as you're ok with the idea of bottle feedings and maybe even formula then don't wake her but if you aren't then you have to wake them to feed them Sorry I know that's not what you want to hear as a new mom. I enjoyed when she would sleep 3 or 4 hours in a row.

Re: BF'ing mom's: Do I really need to wake her?

Posted by cloddy

Here's my 2 cents. I had a really good sleeper and I thought it was such a gift so I let her sleep b/w feedings and she was fine but my supply on the other hand completely dried up b/c I wasn't feeding her the 8-10 times a day that I should have. So as long as you're ok with the idea of bottle feedings and maybe even formula then don't wake her but if you aren't then you have to wake them to feed them Sorry I know that's not what you want to hear as a new mom. I enjoyed when she would sleep 3 or 4 hours in a row.

Re: BF'ing mom's: Do I really need to wake her?

I think your LC knows your situation far better than I do, so if she advised you to wake the baby I'm guessing it was for good reason... even if she falls asleep she'll probably get a bit in first...

Re: BF'ing mom's: Do I really need to wake her?

I have to disagree with LC on this one. I never woke Jordana to feed her. In fact, in the hospital she kept falling asleep while nursing. The nurses told me not to worry as long as she is making diapers. If she is, then you should be fine.

Re: BF'ing mom's: Do I really need to wake her?

Re: BF'ing mom's: Do I really need to wake her?

I used to wake her in the beginning so that I would build up a supply and try to get her to be awake more during the day and sleep at night...

Re: BF'ing mom's: Do I really need to wake her?

Thanks for the responses. I woke her and realized it was too late. I gave her the ounce and half I pumped this morning (still building a supply) and she nursed for 15 minutes and got cranky so I gave her some formula and she is okay for a while.

Anybody do formula and BM and successfully get off of the formula? I need success stories to make me think it is possible.

Re: BF'ing mom's: Do I really need to wake her?

A friend of mine had to supplement with formula in the beginning because she was sick and her baby wasn't gaining enough weight. She's back to exclusively breastfeeding now.

Just make sure you keep your supply up.

Re: BF'ing mom's: Do I really need to wake her?

I was supplementing with formula..but unfortunately didn't keep my supply up and now just formula feed.

Re: BF'ing mom's: Do I really need to wake her?

If you are having trouble with your supply, then I would definitely wake her to feed her. I am guessing that is why your LC said to wake her?