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Infant feeding

8 week old not breast feeding in the night?

9 replies

CoonRapids · 10/10/2009 18:10

I have an 8 week old ds who bf every 2-4 hours during the day. However the last 4 nights he's had a feed around 11pm and then gone through to around 5am and last night to 6am.

I'm wondering whether this is too long without a feed at night? Should I wake him? He's had a cold and some of his feeds during the day have also been a bit shorter (around 10 mins on one side and then he gets fussy and won't go back on, rather than the usual 30- 40 mins from both sides). Could the cold be why he's suddenly not feeding so long at night. Or is it that he's ready to drop the night feed? He's around 12 pounds.

The first few mornings of this I was engorged but this morning wasn't really so am wondering whether this is adversely affecting my supply?

Any advice welcome. Or do you think it will sort itself out over the next few days... The extra sleep has been lovely I must admit...Thanks!

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Picante · 10/10/2009 18:16

So the most he's sleeping in one go is 6 or even 7 hours? I'd say that's fine - and enjoy it! I've got a 7 week old and she's occasionally gone 5 hours - I think they're just gearing up for sleeping through. I think with my ds 3 years ago he'd had a dream feed at 11pm and sleep til 7am when he was 12 weeks - yours isn't that far off that.

I'd just keep an eye on your supply.

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CarGirl · 10/10/2009 18:19

If he is steadily gaining weight then it should be absolutely fine. Mine all dropped their night feeds really early on (much earlier than that but sush don't tell anyone)

Hopefully one of the bf experts will be along shortly.

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littleweed10 · 10/10/2009 20:25

don't worry, he'll soon wake up when hungry! we've had longer sleeps at night,to currently at 5 months when she can wake 2 or 3 times. At one point, he was down to one (ah those were the days!) - I wou'd say just enjoy the rest

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CoonRapids · 10/10/2009 21:40

Thanks - that is all reassuring..probably he will wake up and feed loads tonight now!

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llaregguBOO · 10/10/2009 21:48

I hate to tell you this but my DS was the same between 6 and 12 weeks and then he started feeding once or twice again. But enjoy it!

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NellyTheElephant · 11/10/2009 21:05

If that's what he wants then that's fine, I'd just be pleased about it. Some babies do seem to sleep better than others and you need to count yourself lucky! My 3 were all exclusively bf and DD1 slept 7pm to 7am from approx 8 week, DD2 did the same from 10 weeks and DS from 12 weeks. None of them relapsed once they'd started sleeping through and I never fed in the night again. It won't adversely affect your milk supply which works on a supply and demand basis - if your baby is demanding his feeds during the day only then your body will produce milk during the day when it is needed.

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Builde · 12/10/2009 10:11

I'd enjoy the good night's sleep.

Mine sort of did that from about 8 weeks. It always went to pot later!

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CoonRapids · 12/10/2009 20:20

Thanks - he went from 12.15am to 7am last night! He's v. erratic during the day as well, sometimes feeds for a long time. Other times its done in 5 mins. Then there's a feeding frenzy for a few hours up until he goes to sleep around 8pm. We have 2 older children and I'm finding that when they're around or if we're out and about he doesn't feed well at all. Then he makes up for it by feeding loads when things are quieter...

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unfitmother · 12/10/2009 20:22

Both mine slept like that, DD from 6 weeks, DS from 12 days and they were both BF and are very healthy now. Enjoy it!

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