breastfeeding question

alisongem · January 2016

My 6 day old baby girl is already somewhat sleeping through the night (lucky, I know) but the problem
Is that the doctors want her eating at least every 3-4 hours, even at night. I've tried to feed her after waking her up at night and she wants NOTHING to do with it. Just wants to sleep! She was born small (5lbs 10 oz) and then dropped a few oz (which they said was normal) but they're really pushing the night feeding because of that. So far none of my attempts have succeeded. And she cluster feeds during the day. I guess what I'm asking is should I trust my mommy instincts and let her sleep or should I keep trying to get her on an about 3-4 hour schedule (which she does just fine with during the day)?

mommaofmultiples · January 2016

I would never wake a sleeping baby. So I would say trust your mommy instincts and let her sleep. Especially if she cluster feeds during the day, she is probably eating enough. Not all babies are the same and stick to a strict 3-4 hour schedule.

Lacynduck · January 2016

I would follow the Drs orders until the baby gains original weight and then you can feed on demand. Try undressing baby to feed.

ambercakes92 · January 2016

This might be worth a call to your pediatrician/nurse line! Other than last night, I was waking my baby for feedings and it was a bit of a disaster. She's nowhere close to sleeping through the night, though. I'd say to get your ped's advice, but ultimately it's going to be trial and error for what works for you. Having her weighed at her next appt and # of diapers is what'll let you know if she's sleeping for too long to eat enough.

SummerOH · January 2016

I would talk to an LC. They really are the experts, not doctors. As long as she's gaining and seems alert and happy, I think it's fine. Many doctors are still stuck on the FF baby weight gain charts. The WHO issued ones that reflect BF babies' weight gain more accurately. Regardless, definitely talk to an LC. Also, like PP said, not every baby follows the same track.

Ebiejay · January 2016

At the breastfeeding class I went to the LC nurse kept emphasising how important it was to make sure the baby fed every 3 hours, and if they were sleeping it was important to wake them up. She also gave a few tips on how to wake them up. Their stomachs are so small for the first week or two you need to keep filling it often.

You're clearly getting conflicting advice here so definitely check in with your Dr or LC.

BBEA2006 · January 2016

I would also not wake a sleeping baby. Most of the time, they will make up for it during the days anyway. Most babies lose weight in the beginning anyway. If you are worried though, undress the baby when you nurse. Good luck!

kaym6 · January 2016

Both my pediatrician and LC advised me to not let the baby go longer than a 3hr stretch at night and try for 2 hrs during the day until our two week appt when we will reevaluate. My baby lost almost a pound and regained it in about 3 days. I plan to continue this until at least my 2 week check up as I read that babies under two weeks old don't always have the ability to wake when hungry at night and as a result can end up dehydrated. Like everything though I would just do what you think is best! To help wake my baby at night I will undress and do diaper changes before. It's definately hard though!!

Mommyduclos · January 2016

I am all for "never wake a sleeping baby" except during those very early days. Your daughter might be past that point but my son wasn't waking at night in the very very beginning but I fed him anyways. My pediatrician said that was important as a lot of parents think of themselves as "lucky" when their baby sleeps but it really is a sign something is wrong- in my case my son was jaundice and very lethargic. Also prolactin production- the hormone that tells your body to make breast milk is highest in those wee morning hours- 2-6 am if I remember right. Some women do adjust fine without nursing/ pumping in those hours but some women do lose their supply entirely if they aren't nursing in the middle of the night. I bet at 2 weeks your baby wakes up and stops sleeping like that. Watch baby's diaper output closely and I really would try to feed every 4 hours minimum for now- for building a good solid supply if nothing else. For baby you can change diaper, put a wet washcloth on her feet, tickle her feet and cheek to keep her sucking. The first few weeks are the hardest for sure but you can do this!

Mommyduclos · January 2016

Just wanted to add that a lot of the above advice is very accurate but for older babies once the nursing relationship has been established, but the first 4-6 weeks are a very sensitive time.

ChrissyD1203 · January 2016

I wake my baby to feed at night. I plan to stop doing this in a few weeks but for now I just want her to gain weight and make sure I have enough supply

jeanbug12 · January 2016

My DD slept through the night when she came home. I would take her in the living room, turn on all the lights, undress her, and put cold washcloths on her feet and back. She still wouldn't eat. I eventually gave up after about a week and would get up and pump in the middle of the night instead. She did loose some weight, she was over 8 pounds at birth and dropped off the growth chart by 4 months. But my DS had dropped weight like that after birth and she had plenty of wet/dirty diapers so her pedi wasn't very concerned.

ShannyFann · January 2016

I wish I had helpful advice. I only have my own experience to share. I'd go back to the doctor to have your little girl weighed to see if she is doing alright. My first would cluster feed for 2 or 3 hours in the evening and then would sleep for a 6hr stretch overnight from the day we brought him home. Friends of ours were horrified that we let him go that long at night, telling us in no uncertain terms that we were wrong and should be waking him every two hours. We asked the pediatrician about it (same one these friends use) at his 1week appointment and he looked at us like "why the heck would you wake up a good sleeper?!" So we went with my son's schedule. He was very hungry when he woke up so we had to be ready to feed him immediately but he gained on his own curve and never gave the doctor a reason to be concerned that he wasn't eating enough or that he was failing to thrive. But my son also never ate much. Even at a year old he rarely finished more than 4 or 5oz of a bottle, be it breast milk or formula so I don't know if that had something to do with it.
Good luck to you and I hope you get an answer that jives with your instincts and is good for baby. It's always hard to go against what you feel is right for you and your child.

ariasbabyblog · January 2016

My son is huge (10lbs 10oz at birth) and he's already gained back what little he lost, but he will sleep for 4-6 hours during the day, and 2-3 at night. Our pedi said it was ok to feed on demand since he was obviously eating well. The problem we have is when he will cry and scream and pitch a fit demanding food, but fall asleep literally 5 seconds on the breast. It sounds horrible, but when he does that, we detach and put him down and just let him cry. After about 10 minutes he will a) stop crying and ask for food in a civilized manner (i.e. rooting), or b) fall asleep and eat very well when he gets up 1-2 hours later. It is not easy. Every biological everything in me does not want him to sit and cry, but it does help wake him up enough at he stays up for a good feeding, often at both breasts.

I guess what I'm saying is follow both your pedi's instructions and your instincts. If you cannot get your child to wake up, don't wake them up, even to feed. Sometimes sleep is more important. If you can get them up and keep them up, feed as much as they will take.

danasphillips · January 2016

That's a tough one. Since she's tiny I would probably keep trying to wake her until she's gained a bit and then go back to letting her sleep.

Achae · January 2016

6 days is too young to determine if she can STTN especially with such a low birth weight. Trust your doctors. Have you done weighted feedings and seen progress in LO gaining weight?

Here is a good read:
https://www.breastfeedingbasics.com/articles/waking-a-sleepy-baby

taysun · January 2016

Lurking from Dec 15. My DD was 5 lbs 13 oz and dropped to 5 lbs 7 oz when we left the hospital. She slept great and only woke up to eat maybe twice at night. It turned out she had jaundice (caught by the LC) and that's why she was lethargic. Our pedi had us wake her every 2-3 hours to feed her until she'd gained back her birth weight plus a few ounces.
I honestly wouldn't risk letting her sleep that long without feeding while she's so young.

danasphillips · January 2016

taysun said:
Lurking from Dec 15. My DD was 5 lbs 13 oz and dropped to 5 lbs 7 oz when we left the hospital. She slept great and only woke up to eat maybe twice at night. It turned out she had jaundice (caught by the LC) and that's why she was lethargic. Our pedi had us wake her every 2-3 hours to feed her until she'd gained back her birth weight plus a few ounces.
I honestly wouldn't risk letting her sleep that long without feeding while she's so young.

That's a really good point. I'd follow the pedis advice until she gains.

trixie429 · January 2016

Remember waking the baby to feed is not just for the baby's weight gain, it's so you can establish your milk supply. I recommend The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding, it's the LLL book and has been incredibly helpful for me so far. Good luck!

daniisaurusrex · January 2016

I have to do the same thing and my baby is hard to wake up at night . I have to wipe her down with a wash cloth or get her naked to eat . My pediatrician said it's normal for them to loose some weight but until she gets to a certain weight I have to supplement now

only for a few days hopefully. Not sure if this will help but if your baby uses a pacifier try during the day not giving it to them . They may be tiring themselves out sucking on it instead of you .

alisongem · January 2016

Thanks for all the advice! I'll keep trying to wake her until I talk to her doctor on Tuesday. Hopefully she's gained by then. I'm not worried about her hydration because she's going through more diapers than her chart from the hospital requires, and at her newborn appt they said she didn't have jaundice!

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