Waking baby for feeds?

[AngelDog]

I'm a new mum to DS1, age 13 days. I'm slightly confused by the advice I've been given on waking baby (or otherwise) for feeds.

I am exclusively breastfeeding on demand. DS only has 6-8 feeds a day but each one can be quite long - they average at least an hour, maybe longer. He is an enthusiastic feeder, but falls asleep at the breast often so needs to be woken / burped at intervals during the feed. I change his nappy about half way through a feed, which is when he as a bit of awake / alert / interacting more with me or DH time. (That is included within the hour or more it takes to feed.)

In between feeds, he sleeps very soundly, for varying lengths of time - at least 1.5 hours and the max so far was 5 hours. He will often go 3 or 4 hours between feeds. Most of these longer periods have been during the day.

My HV suggested that during the day I should wake him 3 hours after the previous feed to encourage him to have the longer sleeps at night. However, the midwife team had advised me not to worry about trying to wake him for feeds unless he had been asleep for more than 5 hours after the previous one.

I'm not concerned about his weight gain etc; he was 7lb 8.5oz at birth and now weighs 7lb 15.5oz.

Should I wake him for feeds during the day? I'm not too fussed about trying to get him into a routine as such yet, as I'm happy to concentrate on getting my milk supply established. However, if he were to have his longer sleeps at night rather than during the day, it would make it easier to get out and about as I wouldn't need to spend so much of the day trying to catch up on sleep.

I don't know if this is relevant, but he is a reasonably 'windy' baby IMO (he fusses if he's not burped & does bring up burps when winded). Also I suspect I may have a reasonably forceful letdown. When he unlatches himself from the breast, milk goes everywhere, such that I've now got him in a bib to try to ease the mopping-up operation.

I'd be grateful for any advice anyone has, please. Thanks!

Hi AngelDog - congratulations on your new arrival - sounds like you are both doing brilliantly.

IMO 13 days old is a bit early to be trying to exert any control over your baby's eating/sleeping pattern. In the early days and weeks it's more about responding to the baby's demands. Which can be a complete PITA, especially when all you want is a few hours sleep at night.

It sounds to me that you have a very happy and contented baby who is eating and sleeping well. As you have a routine that's sort of working, I'd be tempted to leave well alone. Your DS will have his own ideas about sleeps as he gets a little older and more playful, and your routine will have to continually adapt to meet his new needs.

HV's can have some funny ideas - and they don't always know best what will suit your family. Hear them out - but please take advice from other people too and go with your gut reaction.

AngelDog

You're doing a fantastic job by the sounds of it.
Two words of advice
Carry On

Do what you think is right. It's only one HV's point of view, they are not the 'law on babies' you are the best placed person to make choices for your baby.

I also was told no more than 5/6hrs at max between feeds.

My mum always used to say 'never wake a sleeping baby'

relax and enjoy your DS

Sounds like it is working so far, if you are happy and he is growing and sleeping and happy, would be mad to change anything.

I remember a midwife told me to wake DS for feeds and being a new mummy without a clue I did so. When I mentioned this to my Mum (6 kids all breastfed), she looked at me like I had lost my mind!

If you can snooze through the day just go with the flow - much easier on both of you, plenty of time later to sort it out if you want to.

If he is gaining weight and everything is going well, I would just go with the flow. There are situations where you need to wake a baby: if they are falling asleep because not getting enough, but it really doesn't sound like you are in that position. Very early days to worry about routine yet. Just enjoy!

I have found that ignoring all advice given by a health visitor has helped me no end! Is she an older lady? I think a lot of them still have the regimental 3 hour feeds locked in their brain and don't really get the hang of demand feeding!

If your LO is asleep, don't wake him! If/when he is hungry, he will wake up and let you know! And trying to start any sort of routine this early on will only end in frustration IME. Just let things happen naturally and as soon as you know it, everything will be falling into place

Thanks, everyone, for your replies & advice. It looks like the most sensible thing will be to let the little one sort out his own routine as and when.

Thanks for the encouragement.