Does anyone else only bf their 4 week old baby every 4 hours?

[needaplan]

Hi, my dd2 has always been sleepy and I have been attempting to wake her every 3 hrs in the day to feed and not let her go more than 5-6 hrs at night as she is still under 8lb. She seems to feed much better though, i.e. not keep falling asleep if I leave her for 4 hrs and some days, she will demand more frequent feeds and have lots of wakeful periods when of course I will feed her. She initially lost 10oz off birthweight but has since gained 7-9oz each week. Should I still be feeding her more than 4 hourly like all 'the books' tell me?

I'm not "expert" (anything but LOL) - but I had a friend when DS1 was a baby who's daughter (same age as my DS1) was fully bf, and slept for 10hrs a night from 1 week old! She was "told" to wake her up and feed her - but her DD just wans't interested - the said DD was a dainty little thing but gained weight nicely and is now a stunning little 6yr old (still not very big - but her parents are small too).

Needless to say the rest of us BFing mums looked at her very enviously when we were sat with matchsticks propping our eyes open with matchsticks while she looked like she'd been on a relaxing spa break

If she's gaining 7-9oz each week, then it seems that whatever you are doing - is right!

Ignore the books, trust yourself. Seems you're doing fine!

You are still feeding on demand even if it's every 4 hours. As she gets bigger she may well demand more frequent feeds and as long as she is gaining weight, alert when awake, wet/dirty nappies then you are doing great

Thanks for the posts. I will just enjoy the extra sleep then . She certainly knows how to scream etc. so doubt she will go hungry!

Both my DDs slept 10+ hours from a week or so old and went 4 hours during the day too. I say enjoy it while it lasts, she may have a growth spurt soon and surprise you at 4am!

Ds only ever fed 4 hourly and put weight on really well. I always put it down to ensuring he was properly hungry before feeding him and then he would have a huge feed. PErhaps your dd is just a super duper feeder