Would you wake a sleeping baby???

[Hexy]

Now I'm not bragging but dd2 (6 weeks) is sleeping through from 10pm to 6 or 7am. What's the problem I hear you ask - well my GP has just told me I should be waking her for a feed during the night as it will do her good. (I know he wakes his 3 wk old every 4 hours for a feed come what may.)
She was 9lbs 13oz at birth and has stuck to her line (98th!) so is clearly getting enough calories, I'm demand feeding & she tends to feed on & off all evening presumably in preparation for the long night but then fairly reliably sleeps through.
As dd1 doesn't sleep at all during the day I'm reluctant to set the alarm to get up & feed dd2 in the middle of the night - although I would feed her instantly if she woke herself in the night.
What do you think? Anyone else experienced this & what good would it be doing her - I thought food was just for growing & she's definately doing that!
Thanks.

[Quootiepie]

ummm... if shes gaining weight well, id leave her ... I was told to wake DS as he slept for 5 hours at a time, every 3... and hes stuck at 2-3 hours ever since (now nearly 8 months! )

[Kelly1978]

noooo, don't wake her! If she is hungry or goes through a growth spurt she will wake of her own accord. My older two were both big babies too and slept through early, with the stuffing their faces before bedtime routine that you describe, and they put on weight fine too. I would stick at crossing your fingers and hope she continues to sleep through.

[tiktok]

Hexy, this is unusual in a healthy baby of this age, but not unknown...and the weight gain and daytime feeding behaviour are reassuring, so no need to change anything if you don't want to

A three week old baby is a different story - I would be concerned if a baby of that age wasn't waking, not just for the baby (if all was well) but for the mother's establishment of milk.

But you do hear of the occasional 3-weeker who goes through, too, with nothing worrisome afoot.

[BalletMum]

My eldest son slept through from four weeks. Like you he had lots of extra feeds during the evening to store for the long night. He is a healthy four year old now..! I would leave the baby, much better that you get the sleep whilst you can. Her routine might change in the next few weeks. I just feel sorry for you if you are breastfeeding ............express if you have to!!!

[Hexy]

Thanks all. I am b/fing but it's not too bad in the mornings I'm just having to wear breast pads in my pyjamas

[katiebirdie]

hexy your situation sounds like mine. i made the mistake of telling my hv bout my ds 8 hour sleeps and she advised me to wake him (which i did) then had a nightmare getting him to feed properly after i had woken him. was a daft thing to do and stopped after a couple of days. i like you have to wear pads at night as by time he wakes up am ready to explode!

[munz]

noooo don't wake them. my m/w told me when the boy was 8 days old I should wake him by day and feed him every 3 hours so he goes thru on a night I tried it thinking she knew best - worst days of my life he was horrid, I was sleep deprived, then the next day she wonder why I was in tears from it all.

i've always had to wear pads only thing I could suggest try expressing a bit if it helps you out in the morning to get comfy again.

[newmum36]

Would not wake between 10pm and 6/7am at 6 weeks. Hell no, get some sleep and enjoy it !
Mine slept like this from 9 weeks and he is fine (now 20 weeks). I've always done a just before my bedtime feed and then left him to wake when he wakes which is usually around 7ish.

[lornaloo]

She sounds to me as though she's a very content and satisfied baby. If she's gaining weight well don't wake her. I think it's fantastic that she's sleeping so well. She's obviously getting enough food during the day to go 7 hours without at night. If I were you i'd let he sleep at night and demand feed (like you are) during the day.

[Mummymonster]

DS slept through quite early. I'd wake up with boobs like footballs and he'd feed off one to deflate it while I expressed from the other. Personally I wouldn't wake her at all. If she is healthy and happy at the current situation and it suits you (hell, you're a new mum, you need all the r&r you can get) then beggar the do gooders telling you what you must do. It sounds like she makes up for it during her waking hours. Do what works for you and not the 'average' baby of text books (cos they don't exsist) If you become worried about her later (losing weight etc) then seek advice.

God why do professionals feel the need to meddle and undermind a perfectly capable mother?