Should I wake to feed a BF baby?

[fifitot]

Do I just go on demand? He is only 2 weeks old but sleeps alot. Feeds at night at 10, 1am, 4 am, 6am and then sleeps most of day! He is gaining weight though and now seems more settled at the breast. HV says his sleeping isn't a problem but should tank him up a bit during the day. If let to own devices he would want every 4 hours. I have been waking him though at around 2-3 hours. He will always take some but maybe not a full feed.

Given that he is gaining weight, has wet nappies and pooy ones - should I bother to wake to feed? Or just go with the flow?

Thanks.

At that age, my DS was feeding every 2 hours day and night (I don't think I'll ever catch up on the lost sleep).

My DS used to sleep a lot in the day though and would start rooting for a feed if he was on me, so I'd feed him when he was asleep (well he'd wake, look around then fall asleep on the boob). Do you watch for the hungry signs in the day (licking lips, rooting towards your breast?).

He needs sleep as much (possibly more) than anything else.

If everything else is OK, just feed him when he wakes up.

It will pass.

agree with Morloth but I was advised by maternity nurse that a baby that young should never be allowed to go longer than 4 hrs with out feeding. they can go into a coma.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I would wake to feed in the day every 3 hours because soon he will wake up more and will probably want to be awake in the night not the day because thats when the feeds are. Often they would even fed in their sleep in the day....AT that age mine have all slept day and night just waking for feeds.

So feed every 3 hours in the day - but leave him to wake when he wants at night? Is that what you mean MumNW? I will try that -

Thanks for all the advice everyone.

I would try to feed a little more often during the day too just to try and make sure he gets more during the day than at night as ultimately you want him to sleep for longer stretches at night as he gets older.

Yes, 3 hourly during the day, but don't wake at night, I generally got one 4.5 hour stretch even when tiny.

Always tried to fit in 6 good day time feeds

ie 7am 10am 1pm 4pm 7pm and 10pm

An awake period after each feed (apart from 7pm etc) and then a nap before next feed. Bath at 6.30pm and then bed at 7pm - until 10pm. I have never had a baby up all evening.

Thanks - sounds like a plan! He is now taking a bit more during the day so looking forward to when he may stretch the nights out a bit!