How long should I let EBF 4 week old go between feeds? - tiktok or anyone else

[FraterculaArctica]

DS is 4.5 weeks. 7 lb 11 at birth, we had a few problems getting going with breastfeeding but quickly resolved, he seems to feed well and is gaining weight according to his centile line (9 lb 4 when weighed 2 days ago).

He is not in general a very sleepy baby - we've had a lot of days (and some nights) where he fights sleep and won't settle. Most nights he's fed at fairly regular 3 hour intervals.

Last night he fed at 11, and was asleep by 11.30. I woke up at 3 thinking 'why hasn't he woken me up for food yet?' Was going to wake him up but then drifted back to sleep myself and next woke at 4.40 - he was still sleeping! I did then wake him up and feed him but he looked like he might easily have slept for another 20-30 min if I hadn't.

Is this something to worry about? 5+ hours between feeds is far too long at this age still, surely?

He also had a long sleep during the day yesterday (following a very unsettled night) of 4 hours, and again we ended up waking him up to feed.

If it's relevant we've introduced Infacol in the last 48 hours, to see if it helps with the discomfort that's obviously been stopping him sleeping (on me, or anywhere else).

So what's the maximum time I should let him go between feeds?

Hopeful bump as he's asleep again and I'm wondering when I need to think about waking him up... last fed at 10.30 am...

I'm no expert but I think if he is having regular nappies and is gaining weight well then things are ok? By feeding on demand he is telling your body to make the milk as and when he wants it. If he's sleeping for five hours at night, I don't think it's a problem. Enjoy the sleep! Sounds like you're both doing really well. Bfing is tough because you can't measure their input but it is so worth it in the end! Well done!

Both mine were (or are, 2yr old and 5 month old) EBF, both started going longer at around this age (DD did 8 hours every night without a feed!). With both it didn't last, by 4 months old they were both waking 2-3 hourly again, so I'd enjoy it while it lasts. Both mine gained wait steadily, following their centile lines.

I always woke them after three hours to feed as a min.

At night I fed when they woke, never woke them at night.

Look at output. Below 8 weeks baby should be having a poo 2-3 times a day. If not pooing then could indicate not getting enough milk in 24 hr period. Still be looking at 8-12 feeds in 24hrs.

Thanks... I woke him up at 1.30 and fed him, but he was a bit reluctant (a lot of pulling on/off and didn't stay on very long in total). He's now trying to go back to sleep again.

He has plenty of wees and poos, no idea how many feeds we're doing in a 24 hour period as I wouldn't class every time I offer him the breast as a distinct feed.

Not sure what else I should be doing?

I completely understand where you are coming from...

My DS is 3 months old and is EBF. At night I am completely led by him and feed him when he wakes. I'm often amazed at how often he will wake/snuffle then settle back to sleep. I used to leap out of bed at every grimble or grunt and scoop him up to be fed but I soon realised that often these are just sleepy noises, not cues for feeding. Sometimes he will sleep for 2/3 hours but mostly he will sleep for 5/6 hours and this is widely acknowledged as being "through the night".

During the day he is very well fed and rocks up at the milk bar every 2 hours approximately so I know he is getting plenty to thrive. (And he is 91st percentile for length/weight!)

For a long time I got really stressed if he went longer than x/y/z but then I realised that there are days and nights when he'll be hungry and there are days and nights where sleep is more important for him. Growing takes food BUT also sleep! I know it's hard but go with the flow. As long as he is waking at some point to feed then try to go with it.

4 weeks is when babies start to get that night is different from day (in many cases). Longer stretches at night are a good thing! Some babies are sleeping 6 hour stretches at night at 6-8 weeks. With any luck you may have got one of those!

I know we had stretches of 4 hours in the night and in the afternoon at this stage. If all else is well I wouldn't wake to feed until you got to 6 hours. I suspect your boobs would wake you up by then.

Thanks guys. Having another stressful day, he seems to have been sleeping too much again (fed at 2330, 0515, 0930, 1100, 1530... he was deeply asleep between these). Since 1530 he had a reasonably decent feed at 1730, and I've tried offering him the breast twice since - he is screaming and refusing it or at most having a few sucks. He seems to be tired but I'm concerned he's not feeding enough, or there's some problem I need to get sorted... various websites suggest reflux, or thrush. I oscillate between thinking he's OK and thinking I should be worried. (he is a very unsettled baby) Can anyone suggest when I should seek outside help?

Is he having any awake and alert periods?

Any time you're worried you can call someone like La Leche League or the National Breastfeeding Helpline. They'll be able to go through the details of your position with you.

They sometimes have a sleepy day after a growth spurt/manic feeding patch. I think that's when they grow new skills.

Hello! I was worried about the same thing as my two week old was going a good 4/5 hours at night with no feed. I asked the midwife about it on Monday and she said as long as baby is gaining weight it is ok to leave them for 5 hours overnight. She said they were likely to want to be fed more often than that during the day. I was worried too but she did put my mind at ease. Hope this helps