When to stop waking for feedings at night?

BeachMama7693

I know normally once a baby surpasses its birth weight you can allow them to sleep without waking to eat. My lo was born at 35 weeks and spent 16 days in NICU. Upon discharge they said it would be ok to go every four hours for feedings but I kept her on the 3 hr schedule. She has been gaining exceptionally well so recently I stopped waking her and I am feeding on demand (I pump and bottle feed BM only) my question is... In the early morning she will give me a good 5-6 hour stretch without waking, is it safe to let her sleep or given she was early should I still be waking her to eat. When did you feel comfortable spacing out feedings?

KTZ17

I think it's fine as long as she is still getting enough feedings during the day. My pedi says if she's sleeping for long stretches it's because she needs the sleep, and it's good for you, too! I always fed her every 3 hours during the day and let her sleep longer stretches at night. She never slept more than 3 hours until she was about 8 weeks I think.

Missa_g

This is a question for your pediatrician as the answer varies depending on medical history.

We spaced out feedings at 8w adjusted after talking with our pedi.

brachysira

We only ended up waking our LO, who was 8 weeks early and home after 10 days in the NICU and before she reached her birth weight, for a couple weeks.  After that, she woke on her own every 3 hours and I never had to decide whether to wake her.  As long as your LO is able to let you know when she is hungry and as long as you aren't going much longer than 6 hours, I think you're fine.

LaciJaxx

At our 2 month appt, our pedi told us we could let him sleep as much as he would overnight since he was gaining weight very well but he still needed to eat at least every 3 hrs during the day. That being said, I wouldn't have made that move without his approval.

jbranden12

Our pedi said 8 lbs since she was eating and gaining well.

tngrl3

As previous people said, check with your doctor to be sure as every baby is different. My little guy was born at 34w with IUGR. In the NICU he was on a 3 hour schedule. He went home at 4lbs 1oz. I BF/pumped and I never woke him for feedings. Partly because no one told me I should and partly because I figured he would wake when he was hungry. He gained really well in the beginning so I figure his body knew when to eat and when to sleep. I can't remember when he started doing longer stretches. 

slh6363

My LO was also a 35 weeker, spent 10 days in NiCU. My pedi at yesterday's appt said we could go 4 hours at night..but I guess every situation is different. I am really struggling with the MOTN feelings, it's already hard enough to get him to stay awake for a feeding, much less when waking him.

Jess63085

My twins were born at 35w,4d and weren't ever in the NICU. They will be 6wks on Saturday (1wk adjusted). They eat every 4 hours, but I have to wake them every night around 2-3 to eat. I asked the pediatrician at their 1 month weight check, and he said not to go on demand at night until 4 months! That seems like a long time to me. He did say if we fed more often during the day, then we could probably do a 4-5 hour stretch at night. I'm hoping we can get the all clear to go on demand sooner than 4 months...the MOTN feed is rough on me now, I can't imagine once I go back to work in December.