Wake to feed - order?

[Blueberrycheesecake1]

When I wake my nearly 4 week old in day for a feed every 3 hours I do it by changing his nappy and then feed him. Is this how everooney else does it or should I try the other way round?

[Chaosofcalm]

Why are you waking your baby to feed? Unless your baby is premie or not putting on weight I would just wait until they wake up.

I would feed, change nappy, feed on other boob, quick song if there was time and then sleep.

[Blueberrycheesecake1]

Only during the day. I was told best to wake them every 3 hours to fill them up in day so they sleep better at night. Interested in different views though! I feel so clunless. ..

[Chaosofcalm]

My HV recommend feeding on demand as the more health option.

Are you breast feeding? Over night feeding is important to build/ maintain your supply.

[Screaminginsideme]

Have you tried a dream feed? I fed sort of on demand during the day but cluster fed in the evening with a dream feed at 11 if I could. Basically they will feed while they sleep - tricky to get right but fabulous when you do. Go with your instincts on feeding and sleeping, don’t worry too much about what others say if baby is happy, contented, putting on weight and making nappies wet etc then you are doing a good job

[Blueberrycheesecake1]

Yes I'm breastfeeding and he's a very healthy robust baby. Just keen to do anything I can to sleep a bit more! I keep on falling asleep while he feeds/dozes off on me at night and it terrifies me

[Blueberrycheesecake1]

Thanks for the responses. It's pretty tough isn't it!

[Blueberrycheesecake1]

Will try a dream feed at 11ish tonight. I don't change his nappthe at night 😮

[Blueberrycheesecake1]

Nappy*

[Ratbagratty]

I have a 3 week old, I have been told it's not on demand anymore as it was 2 yrs ago with my first but responsive feeding when breastfeeding. This I was told meant when i woke up at 2 am after baby had slept for 4hrs and my boobs were swollen it was fine to wake and feed, however it felt so wrong, so I waited 45min until I heard her stirring and then gently changed her and then fed her.

If you want to wake your baby up to feed during the day it won't mean they will sleep more at night as a pp said feeding at night helps increase supply.

[Alisvolatpropiis]

I had to wake to feed my daughter as a very newborn but she was losing weight, quite jaundiced. I don’t think it’s necessary with a baby who is putting on weight? I could be wrong though, I am by no means a professional!

[teaandbiscuitsforme]

If you're falling asleep whilst feeding you must do something about this.

Easiest way is to prepare to cosleep safely following the cosleeping guidelines and feed lying down. Then if you're awake at the end of the feed, you can put your baby wherever they're sleeping, but if you've fallen asleep, you're not putting the baby at risk in the same way that you are if you're sat up with him.

[crazycatlady5]

I was told best to wake them every 3 hours to fill them up in day so they sleep better at night.

Very old fashioned outdated advice. Babies stomachs are tiny so they still need to feed in the night as they digest milk so quickly.

[mommybear1]

Hi my 14 weeker was a premie so the advice may have been different but we were told initially until baby is 10 weeks don't let baby go passed 4 hours. Apparently if they do when tiny newborns their blood sugars drop etc - again this could be advice given to us as ours was premie but there were also signs up at the L&D ward statjng not to let baby go passed 4 hours. Btw I did/do as you have change first then feed. Congratulations on your baby

[Blueberrycheesecake1]

Thanks for the advice. Forgetting feeding (which changes everything I've been thinking!) I worry that he sleeps so long during day. I guess I need to stop him fall asleep rather than wake him? I read babies only have one long sleep a day. Since I've been waking him he often does 9.30pm-3am ish which seems to suggest that might be working? Or it could well be coincidence! !

[crazycatlady5]

Really just let him sleep when he wants he is still tiny and you don’t need to worry about too much sleep until he is much much older. If he falls asleep after 45 minutes of being awake, let him. Just don’t let him get OVERtired.