Happy to starve?
I have heard this phrase before and not sure if it is out dated or still a phrase used by professionals.
Anyway, my baby has colic and because of this cries inconsolably from about 5pm - 11pm every night. She cluster feeds during this time to soothe herself and, I think, because she is expelling so much energy from the crying she is hungry every hour. Once I get her to sleep she STTN. This morning I woke her up at 9am. Her last feeding was at 10pm. She is EBF. The doctor okayed the baby sleeping "as long as she wants," since she is gaining weight well. But I just couldn't let her sleep past 9am this morning. The doctor said she will wake up when she is hungry, but what if she is "happy to starve?" Meaning she will just continue to sleep despite being hungry. I should add that she eats every 2-3 hours during the day and naps in between. Anyone else have experience with this?
After the exhausting 6 hours of her screaming and crying, I am ready for a full nights sleep. I am just not sure how long I should let her sleep without eating.
Re: Happy to starve?
Babies need their sleep and if she's hungry, she'll wake up! My DD sleeps 9 hours (8:30-5:30) then wakes to feed for 1/2 hour then back to sleep for another 2-3 hours. Its a lot of sleeping but she does it nightly so obviously her body needs it.
A breast fed baby should be eating 2.5 ounces per pound per 24 hours so as long as you feel she is getting that then she's fine.
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"On the night you were born, the moon smiled with such wonder that the stars peeked in to see you and the night wind whispered "Life will never be the same." Because there had never been anyone like you... ever in the world." ~ Nancy Tillman
I'm glad you posted this. My DD is also sleeping for long stretches, but not quite that long... more like 8 hours. She also cluster feeds both in the evening before bed and again in the morning following her wake up. I talked to her Doc about it and they said that she likely makes up for it with increased feedings during the day and that it's perfectly fine to let her sleep. Enjoy your sleep!