Hours between feedings

Knottie1442268460

LO was going 4 or more hours between feedings at night and nurse said no. How many lbs til I can let LO go 4 hours at night? Bottle fed by requirement.

annaw14

How old is the baby? Mine was going up to seven hours at night for a few days when he was six weeks old (unfortunately it didn't last), I asked our pediatrician if that was ok they said yes I didn't need to wake him if he was eating well throughout the day. The most important way for you to know if he's getting enough besides his weight gain is wet diapers. My 9 week old goes four hours at night every night and it's fine, the only reason I could think they wouldn't want yours to go that long is if he's brand new (like just a couple days old?) or not gaining enough weight.

tracij12

My dr said once baby is back at birth weight and as long as he/she is peeing and pooping regularly you can let them go as many hours as they will sleep.

delujm0

tracij12 said:

My dr said once baby is back at birth weight and as long as he/she is peeing and pooping regularly you can let them go as many hours as they will sleep.

This for me too. But you should ask your doctor. If you're supposed to keep waking lo to eat there is probably a reason.

Knottie1442268460

Brand new. Very tiny.

Lalala2326

Baby'smom said:

Brand new. Very tiny.

That would be why. Once back to birthweight and a good pattern of weight gain has been established you will likely be able to let him/her go longer.

Knottie1442268460

I just wondered if there was a weight rule of thumb. She's gained already above birthweight.

saladflambe

is she a premie? might be different in that case.

YTuMamaTambien

My sugarlump is going on 2 weeks tomorrow and sometimes she eats every 3-4 hours other times I am sitting there feeding her, what seems like, every hour on the hour. Either way she is producing the right amount of diapers, when I called the doctor's office I was told this is OK. 

Knottie1442268460

Baby was early from what we know.

jennl28

My baby is 8 weeks today and sleeps at night anywhere between 4-7 hours. Doctor told me that after 4 weeks you should not wake them up at night to feed. But sometimes I do need to wake him up during the day to eat. I've got a very sleepy baby though

Squirtgun

Baby'smom said:

Baby was early from what we know.

Premies often don't wake themselves up to eat, so you have to wake them up to ensure that they are eating enough. Your pediatrician should tell you when it is ok to let them sleep longer, but it can be much later than a term baby.

Bigboobsmcgee

Baby'smom said:

Baby was early from what we know.

From what you know? You gave birth right? I'm confused...

Listen to your Pedi and the nurse. If they say to wake the baby then wake the baby.

Bigboobsmcgee

Squirtgun said:

Baby was early from what we know.

Premies often don't wake themselves up to eat, so you have to wake them up to ensure that they are eating enough. Your pediatrician should tell you when it is ok to let them sleep longer, but it can be much later than a term baby.

This.

rue:D

The nurse at the hospital told us no more than 5 hours. When we brought baby to the pedi yesterday (at 4 days old), she said we needed to feed every 3 hours. They want to see her gain back to her birth weight. She lost 3 oz in the hospital and was at the same weight between discharge on Wednesday and the appointment on Friday.

Either way I would go by your pedi's recommendation; s/he will know what's best for your baby's specific situation.

Knottie1442268460

Yes, I'm waking at three hours as instructed.

No, I didn't give birth and I had no medical contact til weight check where I found out 4 was too long. Our former infants 4 was ok and one WAS an unhealthy preemie. Must have something to with this baby's weight. This preemie is healthy.

I mostly wanted an estimate of how long I might be doing this. I need a light at the end of the tunnel.