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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

Breastfeeding, when is it ok to leave him to sleep longer

17 replies

HelenF35 · 02/08/2015 04:37

Hi all, I am breastfeeding my son and was told to wake him every 3-4 hours for a feed. He's now over 4 weeks and gaining well (775g in the last 2 weeks!). When is it ok to let him sleep longer and how long should I let him sleep before waking? I have had to wake him the last couple of nights so just want to check.

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KeyserSophie · 02/08/2015 04:41

About 2 weeks ago. I'd let him sleep 6 now. He may make up for it with more frequent daytime feeds but who cares? Also may not last so get some sleep now while it's on offer

KeyserSophie · 02/08/2015 04:42

About 2 weeks ago. I'd let him sleep 6 now. He may make up for it with more frequent daytime feeds but who cares? Also may not last so get some sleep now while it's on offer

pasbeaucoupdegendarme · 02/08/2015 04:48

You can leave him to wake you now You can be sure he will!

BeautifulBatman · 02/08/2015 05:02

I'm with other pp's. Let him wake/ let you know. Good work!

FannyFifer · 02/08/2015 05:41

Unless he is premature or v underweight I agree with the others, don't wake him, he will def let u know.

BathshebaDarkstone · 02/08/2015 05:45

Yes just let him sleep.

PenelopeChipShop · 04/08/2015 20:41

Haha no one told me how long to wake them for either and I carried on for ages. We had huge sleep problems and my DS first slept through the night at 3 years old. Yes you read that right!!!!!
Let sleeping babies lie. If you feel that you want to check they're breathing, fair enough, but I wouldn't wake!

Lndnmummy · 04/08/2015 22:02

You can leave him to sleep now love unless therr are medical issues (pre baby, failure to thrive, jaundice etc).

notascooby007 · 04/08/2015 23:57

Maybe wake him after 4 hrs in the day but never at night he'll wake himself if he's hungry

Etak15 · 05/08/2015 00:06

None of my 4 have slept for longer than 4 hours at that age - I would say enjoy it and never wake a sleepy baby!! Do keep him near to you though and keep checking on him!

Etak15 · 05/08/2015 00:06

*sleeping

Original poster

HelenF35 · 05/08/2015 05:30

We got 4 and 3/4 hours straight sleep after a feed tonight! Thanks for the help everyone.

OP posts:

Fairylea · 05/08/2015 06:17

During the day I'd wake for a feed. At night let them sleep. Then you're on the way to making sure they associate daytime with feeding and getting enough and nightime with sleeping. (Did that with both my two and both slept through from very early).

Lndnmummy · 05/08/2015 07:22

Fairylee, agree. OP i came back to thread to say just what she said actually. Now is a good time to start shoeing then difference between day and night, i would also wake if it was in the daytime.

captainproton · 05/08/2015 07:31

Hi OP normally you would let a baby feed on demand. was the advise to feed him every 3-4 hours given by a health professional? What was the reason behind it? We shouldn't dismiss it if valid. It's probably best to check with them first. I had to feed my DD every 3 hours for first 3 months because she dropped more than 2 centimes and was very sleepy from various health problems. Until she got back on her line and was steady I had to wake her every 3 hours.

WorldsBiggestGrotbag · 05/08/2015 07:38

My 4 week old has never gone longer than 2 hours without a feed, and DD1 didn't sleep longer than 3 hours until she was 3 months old! I have never understood this 'wake them after 4 hours' thing .
Seriously though unless your baby has other issues, eg is premature or not gaining weight then I wouldn't wake him at all. He will wake up when he's hungry.

Original poster

HelenF35 · 05/08/2015 09:19

I was told this at the beginning as he was losing weight and having feeding issues which have resolved now.

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