Should I wake my newborn every two hours during the day?

[hollymonster]

My little one is 2 and a half weeks old today - she was 8.2 Pounds at birth and is now 9.1 pounds so is absolutely thriving!

I wondered if anyone had any experience waking their newborn every two hours for a feed during the daytime and whether this is a good thing to do?

I'm not sure if it is a coincidence because obviously newborns don't have routines, but it seems when I leave her to let me know when she is hungry (between 3-4 hours) she is wide awake at night and wants to feed regularly, but when I've woken her every two hours in the day she has only woken once or twice in the night! (When I say night I'm talking a 6 hour stretch so still feeding within the necessary 3-4 hours).

Any tips/experience? Should I just leave her to sleep? She gets so frustrated and overtired in the nighttime it seems if she sleeps so much in the day.

[northdownmummy]

I'd wake her, 2 hrs during the day and 3-4 at night is a long time when their tummies are so tiny. Also being awake more during the day can help differentiate between day and night

[AssassinatedBeauty]

I fed my DS every 2 hours or so when he was little, for reasons to do with him being poorly and small when he was born. It didn't make much difference to his sleep though!

You can't really over feed a breastfed baby, and if your DD is happy to take the feeds in the day then I think that it's fine.

[hollymonster]

My midwife told me not to leave it more than three hours in the daytime and not more than 4 hours in the nighttime - I am bf'ing on demand so obviously if she wakes before the 3/4 hours I feed her :) not too worried about over feeding was more worried about whether or not waking her would be detrimental - want to make sure she is well rested and I am not making her more tired.

Thanks both!

[northdownmummy]

Sounds like you're doing great. The first few weeks are tough. She'll be working hard to establish your supply. It does get much easier

[teaandbiscuitsforme]

I wouldn't wake her but I would offer as often as you can when she is awake. 5 week old DS is feeding all day (well it feels like it!) but he's only waking once or twice at night. Not expecting that to last long though!

With DD, I was constantly clock watching- how long did she feed for? When did she last feed? Is it too soon for a feed? She can't be hungry again! It's honestly not worth it. Just offer and feed as much as you can during the day. You can't overfeed a BF baby anyway as they self regulate.

[picklemepopcorn]

If it were me I'd offer several evening feeds if you can, to top her up. I wouldn't wake her in the day though.