Almost 12 Week Old Sleeping..

Updated on June 29, 2009
H.B. asks from Granbury, TX
25 answers

I know this is a weird question, but my husband is a little worried so I wanted to ask all you smart mommas out there! Our almost 12 week old son is sleeping a LOT at night! We usually put him down anywhere from 9-10:30 at night and I have been having to wake him up around 10:30 or 11 in the morning. This just started last week! He was sleeping around ten hours at night up until now! Normally, I wouldn't complain about something like that, because I do love my sleep, but is this normal? Should he be sleeping that much in a row? He usually takes a three to four hour nap during the day too. And he is strictly breastfed if that makes a difference.
I appreciate anything ya'll have to say!
Also, I just remembered that he hasn't had a bm in four days and doesn't seem uncomfortable. He also had a couple of peed diapers that smelled pretty bad, and one that was kind of brown and also smelled really bad. Again, thanks in advance for any advice!

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So What Happened?

Thank you ladies for all the wonderful advice!!! He finally had a bm! yay! And went twice a day for two days in a row! That made me feel so much better! As for the smelly diapers, I haven't noticed anymore like that since the two from before. I know he is getting enough milk, he feeds a whole lot during the day and I pump at least 10 ounces a day, I just think I was being a little paranoid. Again, thanks so much for all the advice!

More Answers

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M.D.

answers from Dallas on

Enjoy your sleep! It sounds like you have a champ. My daughter who was exclusively breastfed would go 7-10 days at a time without a BM from around 3 mos. until we really got going on solids. I called the dr. several times and they said it is completely normal in breastfed babies. They are very efficient at absorbing every nutrient you give them!

1 mom found this helpful
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K.P.

answers from Dallas on

Well, first and foremost make sure he's giving you about 8 wet diapers a day. As for BMs, my son pooped every.single.time he ate, but I've heard that other babies may only poop once a week. Of course, that's more likely with formula fed babies, but if he doesn't seem uncomfortable, I would try not to worry too much. You can always call the doctor and see at what point they would want you to intervene. If he is dehydrated, that could make him constipated. His wet diapers should be fairly clear and colorless, so that would concern me some. I would really try to make sure he's nursing about every 2 hours or so if he's going that long at night without nursing.

How often and for how long has he been nursing? Just push that until his urine is clear again and you're getting enough wet diapers.

As for how long he's sleeping, as long as he's eating during the day and giving you wet and poopy diapers, I wouldn't worry about it. He may be going through a growth spurt and need the extra sleep. Or maybe he's working on a new skill that's tiring him out. You might want to consider pumping before you go to bed to help maintain your supply. Going that long without nursing could eventually cause it to decrease.

And as with anything, if you're concerned, call your doctor! That's what they're there for! Good luck, and congratulations on the newest addition!

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C.L.

answers from Dallas on

I'll agree with those that said this is perfectly normal. My second daughter slept like that from day one coming home from the hospital and continues to be an excellent sleeper at 20 months old. I was worried too because my first daughter didn't sleep through the night until she was six months old. But I had always heard not to wake a sleeping baby and that she would wake up when she was hungry. I would say that as long as your baby is growing properly then enjoy your sleep. It definitely helps when the second baby is a good sleeper because you have to chase a toddler around all day too!

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J.M.

answers from Dallas on

It does seem as though he is dehydrated. Breastfed babies typically have more bowel movements, especially as an infant. I would listen to the other moms and check the symptoms, call your doctor, then take him to the ER. There is definitely something wrong if his wet diapers are brown.

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K.G.

answers from Dallas on

i hope you've called the doc by now just b/c that's what youpay them for! I see a lot of moms have said dehydrated. I don't know if its the problem or now (sounds good to me) but i do know that the soft spot can be effected if the baby is dehydrated. give a little feel up there on his head and make sure the soft spot isn't sunken or even bulging. I know it can sink from dehydration but bulging i'm not as sure about. of coure, call even if you don't see a change there. good luck!

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J.

answers from Dallas on

U need to take him in to see a doc asap. He may be dehydrated and that can be very bad to the baby. Being a bf baby he should be feeding every 2 to 3 hours. Just like us if ur urine is not clear it means u need more liquids. He needs liquid asap so u may want to tkae him to the er. Please don't wait. It could be bad for him to wait too long. I had a friend whose beby got too dehydrated and his now mentally slow but was born normal till this happened. Please keep us posted

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M.G.

answers from Dallas on

I agree with everyone - your baby is dehydrated!!! Since he is sleeping so much, he isn't getting enough of your breastmilk. I am wondering if you have enough milk in your breasts. You may need to supplement with formula. Please take him to the emergency clinic A.S.A.P. I hope your baby will be okay. Best of luck!!

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M.A.

answers from Dallas on

Your baby is dehydrated. You need to take him straight to the emergency room. He needs IV fluids desperately. The combination of the oversleeping, lack of BM in days, smelly urine, brown urine and the fact that you have been going so long without nursing at night are screaming dehydration. Your baby could be in very serious danger. If I were you I would wake him up right now and take him straight there, giving him a bottle of something on the way, whether it is breastmilk, formula or even water! And if you think I am overreacting, I guarantee it is better to be safe than sorry. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/dehydration/DS00561/DSEC...
Your child has multiple symptoms of dehydration, the dark and foul smelling urine are signs of severe dehydration. If I were you I would be in the car on the way to the ER NOW!

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V.B.

answers from Dallas on

You didn't say how much he weighs. My son was 9lb.9oz at birth and slept through the night at 6 weeks old. But it was from about 9pm(fed him at 11pm)until about 7:30 or 8am. Then 2 naps a day. He needs the milk for the water content also. If you nurse regularly he gets the water in your milk and the nourishment. Also the urine sounds very suspiciousnI would be cautious-check with your doctor. He should be eating about every 4 hours since he is growing fast the first 2 years.

C.R.

answers from Dallas on

How's your milk supply? I'd take him to the doc. I think he's dehydrated. How many wet diapers is he having a day? If it's not 8 or more I'd take him to the ER. Is the soft spot on his head sunken or bulging? I agree w/the 1st post... check your sons symptoms against that and get him checked out soon.

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S.W.

answers from Dallas on

Have you seen a pediatrician? I wouldn't take advice on a medical question here. EVERY SINGLE BABY is different, one baby's experience, although maybe similar to yours, may not be the same result and/or cause. Call your doctor whenever and every time you have a concern, whether you think it's minor or not. That's what the doctor's for!!!!!!

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M.B.

answers from Dallas on

I had a two week old that slept through the night at two weeks. Count your blessings if he continues this pattern. My son's diapers would smell really bad in the mornings, but not throughout the day. Sometimes BF babies can go a week between poopy diapers until they start solids, but If his urine is that dark I'd check on the hydration. That's the biggest part that is concerning. I might let him sleep 8 hours and then wake him up to feed him. Even if he wants to go back to sleep for a few hours after that, it would keep him better hydrated. My son nursed every two hours all day then slept through the night. He also had lots of wet diapers. The time he sleeps at night will not cause him to be dehydrated as long as he's getting enough during the day.

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C.C.

answers from Dallas on

H. - it's been 40 years, but my son Mark slept like that. His 2nd night home from the hospital (back then the hospital kept us 3 or 4 days)- at a week old, he slept all night - from 10 until nearly 8. Shortly after, he began sleeping later .... I would have to wake him up to nurse him because my breasts were hurting so bad. Then it was a chore to keep him away long enough to eat. He too was strictly breastfed.

I don't remember many bm - (nothing in/ nothing out) but I think I would be a little concerned about the urine.

I would encourage you to call the doctor. You probably aren't supposed to see him agin until Cade's 6-week check-up, but I'd call him ....

Afterthought: Actually, the more I thought about it: the 'peed' diaper that was kind of brown and smelly - was probably bm. I DO remember Mark would have those and the doctor said it was because he was not eating solid food - if they don't eat anything solid - rice, oatmeal, etc. - they're not going to pass anything solid.

So, it's probably normal ..... but it still wouldn't hurt to ask .... it would give you both peace of mind.

Good luck.

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J.W.

answers from Dallas on

Pediatricians' offices are accustomed to receiving many phone calls and lots of questions from parents, so by all means, call! The baby may or may not need to be seen, but that should be up to the medical professionals. Dehydration IS very serious, and could be a likely culprit, especially in the heat of summer around here!

Something else to keep in mind is that an exclusively breastfed baby should not have any poop or pee that stinks. It's one of the blessings of a breastfed baby.

Good for you for paying attention and seeking advice when something didn't seem right. You're the mom and are the most likely of all to be in touch with what is not right for your baby. Sleeping is good, but not at the expense of nutrition or hydration.

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E.V.

answers from Dallas on

I agree with the mom's your child is dehydrated.
We had 6 years ago a similar problem with our then 6 weeks old daughter. She cought a virus and got very bad diarrhea. After one day she was so weak that our pediatrician sent us imidiately to the ER. It was breaking my heart to see how they put needles in this tiny body, but it saved her live. After spending 1 night at infusions we could go home with a much happier baby. (And mommy!)
Don't wait, take your little one to the ER.
Blessings, E.

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S.M.

answers from Dallas on

When kids go through growth spurts, they tend to sleep more, and 3 months is pretty standard as a growth spurt time. Just be happy! But, if he hasn't had a BM and his urine smells and was brown, that would worry me that maybe he's not getting enough liquids. I would try to make sure he nurses more often since he's sleeping so much at night and see if that helps. If not, I'd talk to the pedi about it to make sure there isn't an underlying problem. The bm & urine worries me more than the sleeping.

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J.C.

answers from Dallas on

H.,

You really need to talk to your dr. A breastfeed baby shouldn't be sleeping that much in a row because their blood sugar can drop to low and that maybe why he isn't waking up on his own. It can be really dangerous! I have an 8 month old that is just breastfeed and she is still getting up in the night 1 time a night. She goes down about 8:30 and sleeps until 9 am getting up 1 time in the middle. Also, he really needs to poop...the dr usually doesn't worry until it has been more than 4 days in a row. Just call to be on the safe side. Good luck!

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V.S.

answers from Dallas on

Three of my boys slept through the nights by 6 weeks. I had a nurse who told me I needed to wake them up and feed them and she was very uptight about it. But the doctor told me, "Hungry babies wake up. Let your baby set the pace for sleeping through the night. They are fine." So I did.

I would be worried about the bad smelling urine. That is a symptom of all sorts of issues. As for the not having a dirty diaper, if your child is breastfed then that is not unusual. I had one son go REGULARLY for FOURTEEN DAYS with no BMs. The doctor said it wasn't a problem. ??? (When he would go it was like we owned a small cow.) Anyway, he didn't have any symptoms of discomfort...no extended belly, no drawn up legs, no uncontrollable crying or straining...so it really wasn't a problem. Now he is almost ten and extremely regular. The doc just said to watch for the symptoms and quit worrying.

VickiS

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M.G.

answers from Dallas on

when in doubt-see your Dr or call him. There is never a dumb question or weird one when it comes to your child's life. I raised 3 and I asked lots of questions. My Mom was Godsent.

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C.H.

answers from Dallas on

Go to the experts and don't wait: Your delivery hospital or pediatrician many times have a mom's question line that you can call to ask those type of questions. Those pediatric nurses can tell you whether or not your child's lack of bm's and odor and discoloration in wet diapers is a small or large problem and should be referred to the doctor. It doesn't sound good to me. Do it right away.

As to sleeping, the younger ones should be wanting to nurse in the night and wake up hungry. Again, for that age, it doesn't sound right.

For older ones, my daughter-in-law with a 15 month old just said last night that he usually sleeps 12 hours and takes a 1.5-4 hour nap. Course, they take him upstairs at 8pm for stories and by 8:30 - 8:45pm, he's asleep. So, he wakes up around 8:45am (but sometimes later lately she said).

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M.D.

answers from Dallas on

This baby needs to go to a reputable ER immediately. And, in the future, I would call the Pediatrician with questions regarding health. That is what they are there for. And, if they are open to addressing your concerns, find a new one. Best wishes to your precious little one!

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J.B.

answers from Dallas on

i would give this info the your Dr and see what they say.

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D.W.

answers from Amarillo on

What is his color like? Make sure he is not becoming jaundus. What is his weight like? Our youngest was like that. He slept a lot so he didn't eat and get the nutrients that his little body needed thus making him very sick. You need to take yours to the doctor and have him checked out. We did and we were very glad we did he is now a very healthy 17 year old.
That is my 2 cents worth.
D.

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G.G.

answers from Dallas on

The sleeping thing doesn't bother me much at all, but the output thing is a little worrisome. A dark colored diaper might indicate his urine is too concentrated, and the strong smell might, too. That makes me wonder if he's eating enough. Do you think he is? Is he still growing? Is he alert and becoming interested in things when he's awake? If sleeping a lot were the only thing, I'd chalk it up to a growing baby who's using a lot of energy to grow and, therefore, sleeping a lot to recover! But since there are other things, I'd talk to the pediatrician, if you haven't already.

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K.H.

answers from Dallas on

i would normally never wake a sleeping baby however being so young & breastfed & having no bm's i would take him in or at least try to wake after 4hrs to feed if he refuses then i would definately take him in

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