Breast-Feeding Newborns Question

The first few weeks, did you wake the baby for feeding at night? If so, how often? DD is 12 days old and a lactation consultant told us not to let her sleep for more than 2 hours during the day and not more than 3 at night. We are religious about the two hours during the day, but she could go for longer at night if we let her sleep it out. What did you do/are you doing?

I should add that I produce alot of milk and it does get a painful for me if I wait longer than 3 hours, but I'd be happy for the extra sleep!

Re: Breast-Feeding Newborns Question

I was told I could go up to 4 hours at night but have rarely been able to test that. My ds is still eatinging every 3-3 hours at night and he is almost 4 months. I was told waiting longer between feedings could diminish supply.

Re: Breast-Feeding Newborns Question

I did but each of my daughters were 5+lbs. I stopped waking them up after about a month. I would also be too engorged if I went longer.

Re: Breast-Feeding Newborns Question

I never woke him at night. Only the daytime because I think it helps them learn the difference between day and night.

Re: Breast-Feeding Newborns Question

Ally, I have been struggling with the same questions.

Two nights ago I made the decision not to wake him, Gavin is 18 days old. He woke up on his own at 3:30 am to nurse and at 7:00 am to nurse both nights. I put him down around 11:30 pm. My gut feeling, even though I am still questioning myself, is this is working.

I have alot of milk too and started pumping yesterday for the first time and again today for the second time. For some reason this put my mind at ease because I am storing the milk for him for later.

It's so hard to make these decisions, but I think by me waking him up now at this point he is not happy and I am not happy. I'd rather let him wake up on his own. Let me just add, I don't go over 4 1/2 hours, I set the alarm just in case.

Re: Breast-Feeding Newborns Question

I never woke my daughters -- but both were big to start and gaining weight fast.

Re: Breast-Feeding Newborns Question

I would talk to your doctor about whether or not you should wake your baby. My son was born on the small side and lost a lot of weight in the first few days. Because of this they had me make sure that no feeding was more than 3 hours from the beginning of the last feeding. He would have definitely slept longer if i let him, and a few times that i really needed sleep i didnt wake him. After 1 month when he was a good weight they told me that I could stop waking him. I still have no idea how i made it thru that first month but somehow you do.

Re: Breast-Feeding Newborns Question

thanks for the input ladies. it's hard to ignore the old "never wake a sleeping baby" advice, but you make a good point about weight gain.

Re: Breast-Feeding Newborns Question

I never woke at night. I ended up pumping in the middle of the night to relieve myself. And that really helped me increase my freezer supply!

Re: Breast-Feeding Newborns Question

I was told in the hosptial to wake her every 2 hours around the clock. THANK GOD we saw her ped 2 days after we brought her home and she said ABSOLUTELY NOT!!! She said to feed her on demand but to wake her only after 5 hours.

Re: Breast-Feeding Newborns Question