Wake A Sleeping Baby?

[CarolinaMama]

My ds is 4 days old and seems to have his days and night mixed up. We were up ALL.NIGHT.LONG last night and now he is sleeping 4-5 hours steches during the day. My milk came in yesterday afternoon so it was helpful for him to nurse all night but Mommy needs sleep. Do I try to wake him up and nurse more during the day to reverse his cycle?

[barrett12]

You def want to wake him like clock work every 2 to 3 hours for the first 2 weeks to make sure he gets back up to birth weight and gaining some more past that and 3-6 weeks can go 3-4 hour stretches If he would let you. Try waking him more from 6am-6pm so yeah he does know the wake hours and keeps lots of lights on during the day even wherever he is sleeping and not being dead silent while he sleeps and once night time hits have dimmed lighting if you have it.

[mibarra]

I would wake baby during the day, no longer than 4 hours to try and straighten out those days and nights.

[lolis]

From Kellymom (www.kellymom.com - a great breastfeeding resource if you don't already know about it!) :

"My newborn wants to sleep all the time! Should I wake him to nurse?"

Yes, if he doesn't wake on his own. Many newborns are very sleepy in the early days or weeks and may not exhibit hunger cues as often as they actually need to eat. Newborns should be nursed anytime they cue hunger, but at least every 2 hours during the day and at least once during the night. Once your baby has established a good weight gain pattern (at least 4 ounces per week, for babies under 4 months), you can stop waking baby to nurse and let him set his own pattern.

"My baby just started sleeping longer at night. Do I need to wake him to nurse?"

If your baby is younger than 4 weeks, then it is a good idea to wake baby at least every 4-5 hours at night to nurse if he does not wake on his own. If your child is older than 4 weeks, you can allow baby to sleep as long as he wants at night as long as he is peeing, pooping, and gaining weight within normal parameters.

[Connor]

Originally Posted by barrett12 You def want to wake him like clock work every 2 to 3 hours for the first 2 weeks to make sure he gets back up to birth weight and gaining some more past that and 3-6 weeks can go 3-4 hour stretches If he would let you. Try waking him more from 6am-6pm so yeah he does know the wake hours and keeps lots of lights on during the day even wherever he is sleeping and not being dead silent while he sleeps and once night time hits have dimmed lighting if you have it.

Yep, this!

[Melinda29]

Yes, every 2-3 hrs during the day, and really encourage full feedings if possible (rather than snacking--try to keep them awake long enough to totally empty one breast at least, so they get the good hindmilk). I leave them alone at night. I have 4 kids and they would sleep 4-7 hrs at night from the start (usually

[joy7s]

honestly i would wake him up. Now the every 2_3 hours thing can really be dependant on your milk. My lo's would go 4-5 hours at night and still gained weight. You watch him you are his mama! He is probably find esp if he was up all night but since you want to switch his sleep/wake cycle wake him up

[CarolinaMama]

gotcha! Last night was better but still not great. I think I got 2 hours in a row.. bleh

Thanks ladies!

[knodceo]

Wake a sleeping baby?!?!! are you mad?!?!

[mrsmodernhousewife]

I asked my dr at the 1 week check up and she said I did not need to wake the baby up during the night, as long as she makes plenty of wet diapers.