Night feeds - confused

[bigbadwritersblock]

Hi
Today I told my mother in law that DS (4 wks) never cries for a feed in the night (I wake to him whimpering and shoving his hand in his mouth) and I pick him up and feed him - if I am not using ebm he falls asleep continuously throughout this feed and it takes ages (so I fall asleep again and again too) MIL said I shouldn't wake him - is this right and I should wait for him to wake up? Sometimes if its not long after a feed I sleep with him on my chest and he doesn't whimper/snuffle and look for a feed as much - Shall I carry on as I am?

Thanks

he IS waking up! and his whimpering and chewing his hand is one of the earlier signs of wanting a feed

ignore MIL. you shouldn't be waiting for him to start crying

it sounds as though you are well tuned in to him and feeding him on cue, so carry on as you are!

DD1 used to fall asleep when feeding too - blowing gently on her head and lifting her arm made her wake to suckle (usually accompanied by a quiet - come on DD1, tigers are coming)...

If I thought he'd fed well in the day and weight gain was good (and over 10lbs) I might wait to see if he settled himself if he wasn't actually crying, but no right or wrong answer.