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Parenting

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Original poster

When did you stop waking baby to feed

63 replies

user1479669774 · 31/07/2017 15:08

I'm currently waking my LO to feed but I'm not sure when I need to stop and let him wake up to let me know.

He is only 11 weeks old so I'm assuming not yet for a while but he had already gained 2 1/2 oz on his 5 day check up.

Just wondered when you stopped

Thank you

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

FacelikeaBagofHammers · 01/08/2017 07:26

Are you breast or bottle feeding?

I've never woken a baby to feed.

pinkhorse · 01/08/2017 07:34

I woke mine on the first night because I thought it was what you were meant to do. The midwife laughed when I told her!

Ecureuil · 01/08/2017 07:42

Maybe it depends on the baby you've got! Mine spent the first two weeks of their lives refusing to sleep except when attached to my breast, the thought of waking them to feed makes me laugh incredulously. I remember getting a 4 hour stretch of sleep at about 12 weeks and feeling like a new woman (it was a one off)

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Zebrasinpyjamas · 01/08/2017 07:44

I woke dc2 up as feeding was not going well and she didn't otherwise ask as she was too sleepy/weak. I did this until she got back to her birth weight which wasn't until around a month. I believe this is very slow as most babies regain the weight very quickly.

OP - If your dc is gaining weight, feeding is going well etc you can gradually increase the intervals a bit if that makes you more comfortable than just stopping all wakings and letting it be entirely on demand. Babies do start to do a slightly longer night time sleep very early on so don't panic.

Anatidae · 01/08/2017 07:44

As a parent of a baby who kept me awake for 18m with no longer than an hours sleep, the idea of waking to feed makes me feel panicky 😱

If there are no underlying medical issues let them sleep!

thenewaveragebear1983 · 01/08/2017 07:52

When establishing breastfeeding with a sleepy jaundiced baby i would wake him up to feed every 2-3 hours for the first few weeks. It made no difference to him waking throughout the night though, despite what that pathological liar Gina ford says.
The other Ds woke himself every two hours for about 6 months and cluster fed for weeks. Also made no difference and he still wakes every night for milk and he's nearly 2!!

Ecureuil · 01/08/2017 07:52

I did this until she got back to her birth weight which wasn't until around a month. I believe this is very slow as most babies regain the weight very quickly

Neither of mine (EBF) ever dropped below their birth weight (that's what 2 weeks constantly attached to your breast does!) so that's probably why I'm reading this incredulously!

Batoutahell · 01/08/2017 08:44

I'm on my 4th baby and at this stage I've heard it all from many many midwives. There are clearly good and bad midwives and even the good ones are not typically trained in breastfeeding. One of my midwives told me that it's not part of their training! They all give different and often conflicting advice on so many things in pregnancy. So for me they are useful in childbirth as coaches and not much beyond that. I respect the job they do and appreciate the check ups, I just don't really need any advice and actively avoid asking them anything about breastfeeding.... post birth they've always said 'I'll get the breastfeeding consultant to call to you' anyway.

The bad midwives actively spout old wives tales and their own beliefs. So trust yourself first and foremost regarding what baby wants and needs. You're built to know that.

Batoutahell · 01/08/2017 08:47

None of mine get back to birthweight until about 20-28 days later. Always noted as failure to thrive. But I know it's because I always get split and bleeding nipples for the first 3 weeks and the pain and stress inhibits my milk supply and as long as we stick at it, it comes good.

For bf babies not getting back to birthweight till day 28 is within the guidelines.

TwatteryFlowers · 01/08/2017 09:29

I never woke them to feed, ever. I remember my mam saying when I was pregnant with my first and worrying about lack of sleep and I asked her how often I should wake him in the night and when would I get some sleep. She looked at me like this and said, "Why on earth would you wake him up if you want him to sleep through? If he's hungry hell let you know!"

Both dc had plenty of milk during the day, even dd who had reflux, and both slept through within weeks.

FlowerFairyLights · 01/08/2017 10:12

I think all the posts could be dangerous.

I went with feed on demand - but my baby demanded often!!

If you have a sleepy new baby who isn't demanding and you just "feed on demand" it can be really bad for the baby. Suppose they only stirred to eat twice a day.....

BetterEatCheese · 01/08/2017 12:20

I never did this but Dd woke a lot on her own

Emboo19 · 01/08/2017 20:43

I woke DD, every three hours (ish!) for the first two weeks (under mw advice) by then breastfeeding was well established and she was gaining weight. I carried on waking her through the day (under my mums advice) and then she'd go a good 5/6 hours at night.

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