I don't mean to sound like I'm complaining because I am very thankful for the sleep; however, I'm a little worried by how well my breastfed baby girl is sleeping at night. It seems like ever since I brought her home from the hospital I've had to wake her at night to feed. I continued to wake her several times throughout the night until she was one month old. Sometimes she'll cluster feed from 7pm to 10pm then sleep until 6 or 7am. This just doesn't seem normal to me especially since she's breastfed. She's now 2 months and gaining weight and has a good output, but the doctor says I should still wake her at least once at night. Other moms have told me not to wake her because she'll wake me when she's hungry, but what's strange is that she doesn't wake me I usually wake her! This is my second child and if someone would have told me that their breastfed baby slept through the night (10pm to 7am) I would never have believed them. Is this normal? Should I be worried that she doesn't eat more at night? Also she eats about 7 times during the day.
Wow, thank you all for your great and prompt responses! It seems the consensus is to let her sleep and that it's completely normal for her to sleep through the night. I probably should never have said anything because ironically she's woken at 4am the last two mornings for a feeding! Then again, she also went to be earlier as well. As long as she continues to be a happy baby gaining weight, then I'll let her sleep cause she may not continue to do so! I really find comfort knowing there are other Mama's out there going through or have gone through the same thing.
Thanks a million to everyone who responded!
Also, keep in mind that she may grow out of this. <g>
My youngest slept through the night from 2 months until about 8 months. And then he woke up once or twice a night for the next year. Everybody is different. I'd let her sleep as long as she's gaining weight!
It's FANTASTIC! Mine both slept thru (BF'ed) by 2 months too and I say DON'T WAKE HER! Until it's her scheduled time to wake up in the morning and then wake her. Otherwise, let her sleep. You BOTH need sleep and she's giving you that so take advantage of it. Especially since she's growing well and pottying well. No worries!
My daughter (exclusively bf for first 6 months) started sleeping 10-12 hours at night at 6 weeks old. As long as weight and output are normal I would enjoy the rest you are getting.
If she's cluster feeding and then sleeping well I don't think I'd worry too much. My SIL's 7 week old is doing this too, and she wakes him up to feed once during the night. Another option would be to pump during that time instead of waking her; that will keep you comfortable, keep your milk flowing and allow you a little extra for the next night when she's cluster feeding.
My 2 both nursed every 2-3 hours, round the clock until they started solids *yawn*. Consider yourself lucky :)
My doctor told me that babies do not really need night feedings after the first 2 weeks of life, and that they do so because we train them too. Both of mine slept through the night very young, before 2 months, but I used both breast and formula so I figured that help. Anyway, I let them sleep and they both turned out healthy, happy, smart, and are still great sleepers.
Let her sleep! My daughter started sleeping thru the night at 3 weeks, and I let her. She falls asleep around 9 or 10, I wake her up at 5:30 to feed her before I have to leave for work.
If she's gaining weight, I don't think you have anything to worry about.
My sons were both breastfed and slept through the night as soon as I stopped waking them up to eat. Some kdis are more efficient nursers and don't need to eat at night, that's our goal right? Enjoy it, it's normal.
I didn't read the responses so sorry if I repeat. You sound like a normal mom worried about her child! That said, if weight gain and output are good then I vote for let her sleep! With the exception of a preemie like my first, I would never wake a sleeping baby unless absolutly necessary. It sounds selfish but I love my limited sleep, so believe me when I say the minute they were sleeping through the night was the minute I was too! No complaints at all!!!
My DD did the same thing... I had to wake her up. I would let her sleep for 4 hours, then wake her up (of course, she is my first... so I worry more... lol) now at 6 months I WISH she would go back to sleeping so well!
my oldest did this and since he was gaining weight very very very well our pediatrician told me not to wake him I only wish my second slept even half as good.
My son is 2 months old and gets me up once during the night. And am really grateful. I wouldn't worry as long as she's gaining weight and eating fine during day- leave her alone. My first child also slept thru the night, she's 2 now and still sleeps well.
DON'T worry.
She is growing fine....
My son, was like that....but only in the beginning...
AND he grew like a weed, and is very healthy and has always been, in the 97th percentiles for growth. Tall lanky baby and kid.
I exclusively breastfed.
He was an efficient feeder... and good latch.
But again... sleep always changes in a baby. So also, don't be shocked if one day, her 'good' sleep then changes and she wakes more. Also normal.
Just keep feeding on-demand....
all the best,
Susan
the pros told me to wake my kid every two hrs. (formula fed) and i did ! big mistake. i later found out that if they will sleep for six hours thats fine but i need to wake them after that time because there blood sugars drop and they need some food. with my second i let her do what she wanted and after about six months she was a grand little sleeper. go ahead and aks your pedi how long you can let her sleep. if he says wake her in the middle of the night ask again exactly how many hours can she sleep in a row. good luck and congrats momma !
Lucky you! Mine is 4 months old and nurses every 2 hours every night! Even during the day its every 2-3 hours. My other two children slept 4-6 hours straight at night. I wouldn't be worried about your little one sleeping so good through the night unless shes not gaining weight.
I have a two month also who is breast fed and sleeps from 10pm to 4am. I was told to wake her also, but she seems to wake up during the day. She eats about every two hours during the day, but at night sleeps very well. I just take it as a blessing. After having 4 children and knowing the feeling of being up all night with fussy babies.
Weight and output are normal. Doctor says she's fine. So enjoy!
My 2nd baby, our daughter, slept for 7 hours beginning around 6 weeks. And she had the chubbiest thighs !! lol
Say your thank-you's, continue to keep a watch on her growth/output and stop worrying! You'll sleep better if you aren't worrying. :)
Some kids are just born knowing how to sleep (my last one did). My pedi told me that as long as they are 6 weeks old and ten lbs. theyy do not need a middle of the night feeding. If she is growing fine, count your blessing and don't train her to wake up in the middle of the night - it'll be a nightmare to get back to this blilssful state.
My response may seem calous and cold, so you are forewarned... LET SLEEPING BABIES LIE. I was told to wake mine up to feed. Did it for one night and then decided that my sleep/rest was just important. BELIEVE ME, if she gets hungry, she'll wake up and let you know. But until then ENJOY THE SLEEP and pray it continues until she graduates!
