Three week old - four weeks on Tue...starting to go four hours+ between feeds. Normal?

[Winetime1981]

She's four weeks on Tue. Was 10lb born and has put on weight (10lb13 last Mon). She initially fed like a fiend. Every two - three hours day, every two hours night. Now she's going about every four hours on the day and five hours through the night (!). Last night she had last feed 9.30pm and didn't wake until 2.30am - then went until 6am! So not used to this after DS...getting her weighed again Mon just to make sure she's still gaining. Just wondered if this pattern seems okay?

[craigslittleangel]

Yes it does. My DD was 8.6 and was a regular 4 hour between feeds from about 10 days (turns out she was a hungry baby so I had to top up). She never lost any weight and was always in the top 91/95th percentile.
Don't panic. If she is hungry, especially after being a fed fiend, I am sure she will wake up. Getting her weighed will also ease you mind on this, but have a quick word with a Health visitor there if you are still concerned.
She maybe settling into her own routine as well, so again don't worry.

[chloeb2002]

I'd say enjoy it! 4 week growth spurt then a 6 week one will follow soon enough!

[plantsitter]

Dd2 was roughly same weight and the midwife said to make sure she fed every 4 hours, so sounds fine. Hurrah for big babies! And small ones too!

[CityDweller]

I'm envious! My 3 wk old feeds at least every 2hra, sometimes every hr during the day. Although she's much smaller (6lbs 11oz at birth). If yours is gaining and doing right amount/sort of pee/poo then make the most of the sleep opportunities!

[Deearnamaternitynurse]

Hi your baby is gaining a good weight,im assuming lots of nice wet nappies and poop- she is doing fab. Ultimetly you aim to get baby into a 4 hourly routine, i.e 7 11 3 7 11, you will be the envy of many mums :) Make sure though that you do time the feeds from the start and not then end of the feeds e.g start the feed at 7 next one is due no later than 11. Growth spurts and your 4th stage of labor due soon, so you may find she will feed more frequent, i suggest for a growth spurt week you feed 3-3.5 hourly

[Deearnamaternitynurse]

Citydweller - if you needs some hints to stretch this feel free to message

[steppemum]

my ds and dd2 did this
I never really understood the idea that I should try and get them to feed more often, they simply wouldn't feed if not hungry.
Isn't the whole point of demand feeding that you feed when they want to? (assuming there isn't a problem with weight gain etc etc)

[Winetime1981]

Thanks everyone!! Yes blimming loads of wet and dirty nappies. Like steppemum's DC she simply won't feed if not hungry. I'm getting her weighed Tue just to be sure

deear - what on earth is the fourth stage of labour?! Arghhhh!!!

[DoodleAlley]

I'm envious.

I'm in possession of a lo more similar to city dwellers who feeds every 1-2 hrs during the day, though thankfully 3-4 at night.

[Deearnamaternitynurse]

Hi Winetime the 4 th stage of labor is the period beginning immediately after the birth of a child and extending for about six weeks. then at 6 weeks your body tries to return to its pre pregnancy condition hormonally, so that week some can experience a rollercoaster of emotions, your baby is also on a growth spurt that week- lots happen on week 6. Unfortunately our GP'S are not fully aware of this stage and are quick to diagnose pnd when in reality they should do the 6 week check on week 8 when all this has calmed down- hope this helps.

[Winetime1981]

Wow!!!!! Well I never knew that! How interesting. Yes I was a fecking state for eight-ish weeks after DS (still was really for longer than that) but worst of it in first six weeks.

I've totally avoided weird postnatal hormone roller coaster this time which I'm so chuffed about. This might be rubbished but I've been drinking gallons of raspberry leaf tea and I swear it's helped balance my hormones and avoid all the hormonal issues I had first time - night sweats, anxiety, oversupply of milk etc.

Thanks for telling me that! Handy to know! So I might feel even better after six weeks?

[Deearnamaternitynurse]

Sadly most arent informed and so many mummies are diagnosed with pnd too soon its such a shame women should be informed, I inform all my clients so they are fully prepared for each stage,Youll feel terrific and RLtea is fab for unterine contractions so with the bfeeding and your tea youll have you uterus back to its pre pregnancy condition in no time. Avail anytime you or anyone has any concerns

[Winetime1981]

Thank you!

[Wheresmycaffeinedrip]

That sounds absolutely fine! Trying to feed any more than that caused my dd's to actually eat less as they weren't hungry and just snacked constantly. Enjoy it :)

[Winetime1981]

I am soooo enjoying it!! Such a difference to DS (although we did used to wake him every three hours for feeds on some questionable advice from a MW). It's so lovely to be in the newborn phase without sleep deprivation - I feel like I'm cheating!

[Wheresmycaffeinedrip]

I felt exactly the same wine I was all prepared for this horrendous battle of constantly feeding and waking fifty times a night. Once she was on the bottle that was it. Wone her up three hoyrky st girst as that what midwife and HV said. oy she got increasingly annoyed being woken for milk she didnt want. i let her lead the way and it was Four hour feeds I physically had to wake her once a night to have her eat cos she was perfectly happy sleeping :)

[Wheresmycaffeinedrip]

Three hours at first- oops fat thumbs