Do we still need to wake baby for feeds?

[1NuDad]

Hi.

Our LO is 17 days old.

From the outset we were told to wake him up every two/three hours for feeds.

He was 3.1kg at birth and has regained that easily and is now 3.5kg.

Our HV came on Wednesday and said we should be waking him up every few hours for a feed still. She detected a tiny bit of jaundice but he was below the treatment level when tested.

We're now trying to wake him up to feed him at 7am as his last feed was at 4am but he is reluctant and very sleepy.

Basically, when can we let him sleep through the night and wake us up rather than vice versa?!

Thanks.

No! Let him sleep IMO

Not sure what weight he is in pounds but 2 of mine were brilliant sleepers from day one

They were 5.8lbs and 5.14lbs and both would sweep from 7pm till 4am then again till 7am from birth and no way would I ever wake them, they feed every 3 hours through the day and we're gaining weight

Why would you wake s sleeping baby? Unless of course they are not gaining weight

At 17 days old I don’t think so, no. If he has jaundice follow the advice you’ve been given. The last thing you want is for him to have to be re admitted for treatment, they need regular fluid to flush through their system. Although I was in a similar situation and they said I could leave it every 4 hours overnight but that was after some time I think. But remember he’s sleepy because of the jaundice, that’s part of the worry, that he won’t be waking for feeds as he should be if he didn’t have it.

The reason she said to keep feeding regularly is likely because of the jaundice. Once this clears there won't be need to once he is gaining weight appropriately. Feeding/peeing will flush it out.

Exactly what I thought. It seems ridiculous to be waking him, and he is feeding well during the day, but we felt we had to go by the HV'S advice!

He was about 6.8lbs at birth and is now 7.7lbs.

But he has jaundice! That’s why the hv has advised it, not for weight gain. I repeat ITS VERY IMPORTANT THAT JAUNDICED BABIES ARE FED REGULARLY. Max every 4 hours I would say. You can ignore their advice if you like, at the risk of your baby becoming poorly. I would heed their advice.

If he is a little jaundiced you need to follow medical advice, it's irresponsible of posters to tell you to ignore it! Jaundice can be very serious.

Re the jaundice. He was tested twice in hospital for it and both times fell below treatment level so wasn't classified as having it. It was only the HV, who said she had worked on liver wards, that looked at him and detected "a tiny amount on his nose". That's the only indication we were given. So conflicting advice really. Thanks to all.

Well you don't want it to get worse to the point he needs treatment?
Newborns need feeding regularly and won't always wake themselves for feeds especially if there are other issues like jaundice. If if breastfeeding it should be 10-12 times a day.

Falling below treatment level doesn’t mean he doesn’t have it, the treatment levels are actually quite high! Mine looked like an orange before she finally got high enough levels to treat. It’s something that has to be managed, as there is the possibility that levels can rise again and very quickly too. She’s advised it as a preventative measure, if you chose to ignore this you need to be aware of any more colouring/white if eyes turning, and particular sleepiness and make sure you contatct a doctor immediately.

I would wake until the jaundice has gone. DD was tested and below the limits but the doctors were still advising frequent feeding.

Jaundice can make a baby sleepy which means they don't wake for feeds. The milk doesn't "cure" jaundice. If I were in your position (and I was-albeit jaundice was bad enough to be referred to paediatrician) I fed every 3 hours during the day but set my alarm for 4-4.5 hours overnight.

Daylight on the skin helps jaundice too. Not the best day for light but pop him next to the window.

Thanks everyone.

Will continue to keep waking him up for feeds then. Thank you.

Does it usually take weeks or months for it to clear?.

Should be a matter of weeks if it’s a fairly mild case. Breastfed babies will have it for longer than formula fed but it will become less of a worry as they get older and less sleepy. You will probably find that he starts to wake himself for his feeds in a few weeks.

Is the baby breastfed? If so, it's also important that he's fed every few hours in these early days whilst Mum's supply is being established. Night is prime time for milk production, so it's important that he has that night feed.

DS1 had jaundice for months, even though his weight gain was good. He was treated under the lights at 5 days as he was above treatment level. I was told to keep feeding him often not difficult, he was never off the boob day or night