Advice for a VERY new Mum - breastfeeding

[NoTeaForMe]

Hi all,

My baby girl was born on Monday evening, we came home from hospital tonight as we had to stay in for 48 hour monitoring due to GBS. All was declared well and we were sent home.

Before we left the student midwife who checked us out told us not to let baby go more than 4-5 hours without feeding. Her last feed was at 5.20 for around 20-25 mins. She had TINY suckle at around 7, but literally 4 sucks. She then fell asleep and has been asleep ever since. We have (probably neurotically!) phoned the midwife and she has said that in the beginning breastfed babies can go 10-12 hours without feeding, and as long as she is a good colour and temperature then not to worry......easier said than done!

I just wondered....I don't know really!, maybe if anyone has any first hand experience of this or any words of advice/ encouragement?

Thanks in advance!

DD has a few nights in the first 2 weeks of going 6 hours and countered by having big feeds before and after. Since she was otherwise well, I let her me and enjoyed the sleep.

In the nearly 8 months this was the only time she went so long.

If she's sleepy 24/7 then I would worry and try and get her feed. Otherwise I would relax, get through the night and reassess tomorrow. Hopefully she go back to feeding 2/3hourly then.

I'm sure an expert will be along soon but in the meantime I remember the early days/late nights well! (Although you should be asleep not worrying and fretting!).

My take on this would be to relax and let baby let you know when she needs a feed; if she's close to you while you both sleep (i.e. in your bed or a crib very close by) you'll wake when she starts up with feeding cues (snuffling, rooting, waving her fists around etc), or at worst she'll wake you with a little cry. Then just let her suckle as and when she needs and all will be well.

Hope that reassures a little - it's late and my brain not too good, but didn't want to read & run. Enjoy your new baby, but GET SOME SLEEP

Mine slept through the night ( 7 hours) from 5 days old. Don't panic. She was breastfed.

Thankyou so much for your words, this us what us fantastic about mumsnet-instant advice whatever the time!

Virtually as soon as I hit send my gorgeous girl woke up and has been feeding since!!

I guess I need to stop panicking I do NOT want to be a neurotic mother!! So hard when we were told not to let her go over 4-5 hours!

Thankyou again!

Hi there noteaforme
Here is a link that you may find helpful if you've not seen it already.

Hope things are going well.

how often is she feeding during the day?
how much does she weigh?
is she jaundiced?
how many wees / poos is she having in 24 hours?
I would try and hand express and give her some in a cup / spoon / syringe if you could to try and wake her up
keep her skin to skin
i would also suggest not letting her go longer than 4 hours at the moment if possible