Nine week old feeding less

[bk1981]

Hi everyone I'm a ftm to a nine week old. She has gradually started going longer between feeds and sleeping for longer stretches at night which initially I was really pleased about. Last night she fed for half an hour before going to sleep. She then slept for eight hours. I only realised when I woke up with sore leaky breasts! I managed to get her to feed from one side while she was asleep but then decided to change her nappy too as I didn't want her to get sore! This of course woke her up and then she had a much longer feed before going back down.

Is it okay to just let her sleep? She's recently learned how to suck her thumb and uses this to get herself back to sleep now when she wakes but I'm concerned this may be stopped her from realising she needs feeding?

Any advice appreciated.

It's fine for her to sleep that long. At the beginning breastfeeding is longer and more frequent to get supply up. So naturally this goes down a bit. Also your baby will become more efficient at feeding. There will be times were it feels like they're feeding all the time again when they are going through growth spurts. As long as they're gaining weight there's no need to wake a sleeping baby.

They get more efficient at feeding so feed for shorter times. If baby is getting enough milk in the day I'd not worry about night feeding I'd be happy! If you are worried check baby is gaining weight correctly to set your mind at ease

Thank you both. I will get her weighed next week and just follow her lead in the meantime.