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Sleep

Join our Sleep forum for tips on creating a sleep routine for your baby or toddler. Need more advice on your childs development? Sign up to our Ages and Stages newsletter here.

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Original poster

Do we leave our newborn to sleep through the night?

43 replies

Emfrancesca · 13/04/2023 06:58

My little girl is now 1 week old and at night we have to wake her to be fed but then she really struggles to settle back down!
We usually change her nappy and then give her a bottle before bed. She settles down beautifully and has been falling asleep in her cot. We then have to set an alarm for every 4hrs to feed her as the midwives told us to not let her go any more than 4hrs without a feed. So we wake her but then she really struggles to settle back down and it can be hours before she gets back to sleep.
My question is, if she is peaceful and settled, do we just leave her to sleep and let her wake us up when she wants feeding?
We don't want to do the wrong thing and end up starving her. She feeds really well during the day and surely she would wake up at night if she was hungry, as this is what she does during the day.

OP posts:

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Fewfucksgiven · 13/04/2023 06:59

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Fewfucksgiven · 13/04/2023 07:00

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Bobbybobbins · 13/04/2023 07:02

We had to wake my son up at this age to feed- if the midwife has told you to do that then I think you should follow the advice. 1 week old is very young to be sleeping so long. Hopefully soon you'll be able to let them sleep through.

Makewayforsummer · 13/04/2023 07:03

Have they regained their birth rate? Are they jaundice at all? Bf or ff?

Original poster

Emfrancesca · 13/04/2023 07:04

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How would we do this without waking her? She wakes up as soon as we lift her out of her cot and I wouldn't want to feed her lying down.

OP posts:

Wildflowermoon · 13/04/2023 07:04

I don’t think you should go against the midwives advice. If she isn’t settling nicely after a feed try to keep her upright over your shoulder for at least 10 mins before putting her back down. I find this helps with my 8week old.

BHRK · 13/04/2023 07:05

No you need to wake her. Lack of food and fluid at this age can make them drowsy so they don’t wake. Follow the midwife guidance

Twiglets1 · 13/04/2023 07:05

I’m in my 50s but when my children were babies I would never have woken them up just to feed them. They cry when they’re hungry and wake you up.

Original poster

Emfrancesca · 13/04/2023 07:05

Makewayforsummer · 13/04/2023 07:03

Have they regained their birth rate? Are they jaundice at all? Bf or ff?

Yes she has regained her birth weight. She is jaundice but the levels are really low.

OP posts:

CastleTower · 13/04/2023 07:06

I'd wake at least every four hours until the baby's regained their birth weight. After that, I think it's your decision as long as they're gaining weight ok.

You might find she starts waking more soon anyway.

CastleTower · 13/04/2023 07:07

Ah, if she's jaundiced I'd also wake her up till that's resolved, yes.

changerlot · 13/04/2023 07:07

Honestly at a week old you need to be waking her for a feed every 4 hours, regardless of birth weight.

itsabigtree · 13/04/2023 07:08

Leave her to sleep!

If she's regained her weight there's no need to wake.

FlounderingFruitcake · 13/04/2023 07:09

If she has jaundice then you need to continue to feed her overnight. But once that’s cleared and as long as her weight gain stays on track then you should be good to stop.

Dreamfeed could be an option though. You just pick them up and plug the bottle in. No lights, no noise, no nappy change. Even if she wakes slightly at being lifted, it’s still a sleepy feed so less disturbing.

Emelene · 13/04/2023 07:10

Can you speak to your midwife again?

davegrohll · 13/04/2023 07:16

This time we was told to wake every 3 hours for a feed, 4 at a push. But 8 years ago was told to leave them as they will let you know if they're hungry ! No wonder it's so confusing when all the advice differs depending on who you speak to. I, personally, would be waking for a feed op

sunseaandme · 13/04/2023 07:18

Yes at a week old you definately need to wake her. I would be worried if I was you why she isn't waking herself in hunger at that age . Speak to midwife again x

Original poster

Emfrancesca · 13/04/2023 07:21

She wakes during the day to be fed and midwife was happy with everything at our day 5 appointment. We will have our day 10 appointment soon so I will mention it to her then. In the meantime we will continue to wake her for feeds during the night and possibly try dream feeding.

OP posts:

Makewayforsummer · 13/04/2023 07:37

1 one week jaundice baby needs waking. I would do every 3 hours unless your ff. Remember it’s timed from the start of the feed not the end of the feed.

EllandRd · 13/04/2023 07:39

Yes you wake her up, she is 1 week old. My youngest was the same and still like it now.

FlounderingFruitcake · 13/04/2023 07:40

OP good plan to continue as you are and ask MW at the next appointment. I’d always err on the side of caution when theres jaundice.

But don’t be worried she’s not waking herself at exactly the 4 hour mark, it’s very normal! I woke DC1 for nightfeeds for 10 days due to jaundice then since it had cleared the HV said fine to let her sleep. DC2 was a chunk who gained from the start and never went below his birthweight so I didn’t bother after we came home from the hospital on day 3. On their own they did 5-6 hour stretches so it’s not like they were going all night without a feed. I mentioned this is in passing to the midwife at DC2’s day 5 appointment and they just said that’s great, so they weren’t concerned either.

BritishDesiGirl · 13/04/2023 07:41

Even if she wakes you need to feed her. 4hrs is LPtoo long IMO, every 3hrs was what recommended.

Phoebo · 13/04/2023 07:42

Yes definitely, at that young age they need to be fed regularly (every 3 hours). Once they've gained enough weight and a bit older you can leave it longer. Unfortunately I can't remember the guidelines off the top of my head

Original poster

Emfrancesca · 13/04/2023 07:44

We were feeding her every 3hrs at the start but she was being sick and bringing it all back up, so we started with every 4hrs and she is not sick as often now.

OP posts:

CrispAppleStrudels · 13/04/2023 07:47

Was she a small size at birth? My DD was a tiny one (5lbs 12oz) and i was told that smaller babies can struggle to wake themselves so its even more important to actively wake them to make sure they are getting everything they need.

Congrats on your little one!

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