How long is it ok for her to sleep before I wake her up to eat. 2 days old nursing...

Question

Last night was our 1st night home. She was still sleeping after 6 hours, so I woke her up to feed her. How long is it ok for her to sleep?

Answer 1

I would probably let her go a maximum of 3-4 hours between feedings. And then watch her BMs to make sure everything is normal.  Congratulations on your new baby girl!

I just think 6 or more hours is a long time between feeding.  Maybe it's just me though?

Answer 2

There are two schools of thought:

1) Wake every 4-5 hours at night

2) ONE 6 hour stretch and then wake every 4 hours.

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/start/basics/...

"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.  

Answer 3

In order to keep up your milk supply in those early days you need to wake her to eat every 4 hours.  After about 2 weeks she will have regained her birth weight and you won't have to wake her anymore.

EDIT: if your milk has not come in yet you do need to nurse every 3-4 hours to ensure it comes in soon and you establish a supply and demand cycle with your milk.  Some of the answerers are saying let her sleep, maybe they did not nurse. Once your milk comes in and she has regained her birth weight then you do not have to wake her.

Answer 4

U don't need to wake her.  She will let you know when she's hungry.

Answer 5

You do not need to wake her. . .she will wake up when she needs to eat.

Answer 6

she will wake up when she is ready to eat.  

Answer 7

don't worry, she needs to eat and she needs to sleep, she will let you know when she needs either one.

Answer 8

She knows when she is hungry, and believe me she will let you know.  It is best just to let them sleep when they want to sleep and when she wakes up be ready to feed her.  Good luck.

Answer 9

As long as she needs to. She won't starve. She will wake up when she is hungry.

Answer 10

Well, how is she? any problems, or totally healthy? If she's ok, you can wait till she wakes up, but I personally just woke my kids when my chest started hurting! As long as she's nursing enough throughout the day, you can wait the six hours at night if you want to.

Congrats and good luck!

Answer 11

why are you waking her up she will wake up and tell you by crying if she need to eat. let her sleep. i have two kids and that i did  

Answer 12

If she is healthy and has a good weight they say let her sleep. But I think 6 hours is enough. I'd wake her up to feed her too. Aren't you lucky though, a baby that sleeps and lets you sleep!

Answer 13

two hours

Answer 14

During the day it is important that you feed her at least every 3 hours.  At night, let her go as long as she sleeps.  If she's hungry at night, she'll let you know.  No need to disturb the sleep cycle.  Plus it teaches her the difference between night and day and she'll be a better sleeper for it.

Answer 15

2 days old is really young.  my ped said that if your breastfeeding only, you should be feeding your baby every 2 hours. So i think at night you should not let her go more than 3 hours without feeding her

Answer 16

you let her sleep untill she wakes up on her own and tells you she is hungry...i dont agree with waking child up to feed. they dont starve themselves and will eat when they are ready too. let her sleep

Answer 17

pediatrician say never let them go without eating more than 5 hours.. their little bodies can easily dehydrate

Answer 18

You can let her sleep. She will cry when she needs to eat.

Answer 19

6 hours is good.  i used to feed my baby when he was hungry. i think u should feed the baby only when she asks for it.  its just that 6 hours is too long for an infant.