How often should LO eat??

GatorNurse

Ok y'all, I've heard a lot of conflicting info re: how often Caroline should be eating. I think I recall the nurse at the NICU saying that every 3 hours gives her optimal feelings with the best weight gaining potential. But, then our pedi said we can let her go 4 hours at night. Sometimes, during the day, we've let her go 4 hours if she's sleeping very soundly. (she grunts a lot so sometimes her sleep isn't restful). So, now I'm not quite sure & suddenly my DH & I are panicked that we are starving the poor girl. Help! 

haziedaze

I would give the longer stretches at night a try, especially if her weight gain has been good. Just ask the pedi for a weight check after a few days or a week to see how it's going. We decided to let Henry start waking up on his own. He went 4 hours like twice but mostly we got 2-3 hour intervals. All this stuff ends up being some trial and error, with a lot of weight checks in between. Good luck!

spain116

Our LO is doing well with weight gains and the doc said that she could go five hours between feedings.  So, four hours should be okay as long as she's gaining, like PP said.

mommabear7182

If LO is gaining weight I'd let her decide.

BritanyV

I've let mine go as long as 6 hours but he was due a month before your dd and was born 12/2.   He also weighs almost 14 lbs now!   So he's not missing out on any nutrition what so ever! 

I think if her weight gain is good, I'd let her go at least 4 hours if she wants.

adrielegorburu

so long as shes gaining weight I dont belive there is any problem with letting her go longer. We never woke DD to eat after the first few days and she would occasionally go 4 hours if napping or at night, sometimes even 5, she stopped waking to feed on her own at night by 3 months and eats on demand (her own schedule) every 3 hours during the day now.