Baby has been asleep for 3.5 hours - should I wake him?

[newmum234]

My LO was last fed at 9.15am and fell asleep about 2 hours later. He’s been asleep for 3.5 hours solid now. Would you wake him up at this point or leave him to nap? Will the fact that he’s slept so long mean we’ll have no sleep tonight? He’s 8 weeks old...

No way of predicting that I'm afraid!!!

I'm firmly in the "don't wake a sleeping baby" camp. If you wake him, he might be cranky as now and still not sleep tonight.

Enjoy the peace.

I have a rule of never ever wake a sleeping baby. As long as the baby is happy and comfy and sleeping soundly why wake them? They could be having a growth spurt and they will need more sleep. It is also warm so may make them more sleepy. I have always bad results and regret when waking a baby. It never ends well and they normally end up screaming for the rest of the day as they get overtired.

Think I'd wake him now, long time to go without food/drink and it's a very hot day? Plus goodness know how the night will go!

At 8 weeks though, it's anyone's guess. (But what do I know it's about 10 yrs since I had to consider such things!)

Actually the previous two posters could be right!

Yes I'd wake him. He needs a feed at that age. I'm sure someone will come along with a different view but that's mine. Take care.

No. I remember mine doing that at that age and he still slept beautifully the same night. I also agree never wake a sleeping baby.

If he hasn't eaten since 9.15am, then I would definitely wake him.

Gosh I don't even know what i'd do as my DD has never ever had a nap that long (that wasn't at night). I've never been in that position in the daytime before. Sounds nice on one hand! But I get that you're worried about tonight though.

Are they 'due' a feed or change? I probably would wake them then. Im assuming you feed on demand but you will know whether your baby usually goes this long without a feed etc. At 8 weeks I was mix feeding on demand but if it had been a long ish gap for a feed I would wake. I think at that age probably 4hrs is about as long as they go in the daytime without a feed if I remember correctly?

Oh I missed the bit about not feeding since this morning! Yes I would definitely wake him. It's very hot, they could do with the fluid.

That’s a long time to go without a feed isn’t it? So I’d wake them as would worry about dehydration with it being so warm.

I would wake him. Its a long time without a feed when its as hot as this.

If they get very warm they get very sleepy which isn't a good thing in heat like this!

6 hours without a drink. I would definitely wake him up.

I would wake him, as pp have said, it's a very warm day and he's very small. He needs a drink. Enjoy your lovely baby.

I would wake him for a feed. I have a 6wk old who is sleeping loads more than usual today because of the heat.

I would wake. Sometimes mine would sleep loads, but you need to check all ok and offer a feed.

Yes I would wake a tiny baby after so long without a drink

Is it very hot where you are? If so that's probably why he's feeling dopey and sleeping longer. But it also means he might get dehydrated, so wake him for a feed. You might also consider giving him a little drink of cooled boiled water between feeds., during hot weather.

Maybe he's practising to sleep right through the night.

I would definitely wake them up so they can feed. I wouldn't be worried about how they sleep tonight, I would be worried about dehydration.

Unless he's sleeping in a room where it's 30°C, I would trust his instinct for hunger and let him sleep. I'm firmly in the 'being sleepy means you're tired, so you should sleep' camp. Food comes second unless there is a pressing need.

All three of my DCs did this, DD2 (5 months now) even slept whole afternoons outside a month or two ago and still slept through the night.

He was awake almost all day yesterday, but slept well (his usual amount) overnight.

I decided not to wake him, but I did potter around the room quite loudly and he woke up himself and seemed quite happy. I gave him 150mls of formula straightaway and he’s drained the bottle, but doesn’t seem like he wants any more. I’ll try him with a bit of extra now anyway just to be sure.

Wake him, it might be the heat making him sleep.
I always woke my kids if naps went much over two hours after the first month. It helps distinguish between night and day. Now it may be a coincidence, but after a few weeks my children went down to bed at 7.30 while still awake, sleepy feed at 11pm, another about 2-3am if they woke and I can count on one hand the bad nights I had, and those were usually because they were ill. I never let them cry, I was just disciplined with naps - never letting them sleep too long and getting an evening routine from the start.

He’s now had an extra 50mls of formula and seems very content and happy. Perhaps he’s catching up with a longer nap today after barely sleeping during the day yesterday?

He’s normally a fairly reliable sleeper at night, so we’ll see what happens later. I did read that babies actually sleep better at night if they’ve had good quality sleeps during the day, so we may be okay...

Baby sleep is unpredictable! Fingers crossed he sleeps ok tonight!

When dd was that age I very rarely woke her. Their sleep patterns are all over the place, and it's unlikely a longer nap will affect their night time.