Is it ok that my newborn is sleeping through the night?

Question

I breastfeed her before bed (around 10) and she wakes up to feed around 5 to feed again. She's just 2 weeks old and has been sleeping through the night since she was born. I'm not complaining or anything, just wondering if it's healthy. My other two kids woke every couple of hours to feed when they were little. Should I worry or be happy?

Answer 1

hahaha you're just trying to make everyone jealous aren't you? all those near dead mothers trying to catch 30 minutes sleep in the daytime to catch up.....

Answer 2

I would be very uneasy about letting her go 7 hours at such a young age.  She MAY do well with it, but she could also gain poorly and/or your milk supply could drop from lack of stimulation.

How is her weight gain?  Is she over her birthweight?  

How are her diapers?  Is she wetting 6-8 really wet ones?

How often is she nursing during the day?  If she's getting a total of 10-12 feeds in 24 hours, the long night stretch is probably ok.  If she's also nursing infrequently during the day so she' s only getting 6-8 feeds in all, I would be less comfortable.

Sometimes babies just don't feel their hunger, and if dehydration is making her lethargic, she may be sleeping longer than she should.  

So IF all is well, I would let her sleep.  She's just one of those rare babies who sleeps long stretches from birth.  But if there is any doubt, I would wake her after 3-4 hours and offer a feed.  

Answer 3

Sounds to me like you are lucky. I'm sure if the doctor says its fine then you have nothing to worry about! Congrats on your baby.

Answer 4

haha BEN i am one of those near dead mothers!! my baby girl 16weeks has decided she doesnt want to sleep AT ALL arghh!! you are soooo lucky...wana swap?

Answer 5

I had the same thing. It comes and goes. My baby is completely heathly and happy. She just wakes up when she is ready. So I say you are completely fine. Let the baby decide when to wake up to eat. do not wake her. you just interupt her sleeping then you have a cranky baby...

Answer 6

I know the doc's say to wake them up, but to me if a baby is sleeping let them. Both of my girls slept through the night at an early age and they a perfectly healthy and normal.If you are concerned though, then check on her every couple of hours. Kudo's for breastfeeding by the way. Congratulations!

Answer 7

my first was the same way - she did a nice long stretch almost immediately.  It isn't completely 'normal' as it isn't common but it sure is great.  As long as she is eating often during the day and isn't dehydrated or hungry, she's fine.

BE HAPPY! :)

Answer 8

the doctor said that as long as my baby had gained all of his weight back by the two week check-up, you didn't have to wake him up to feed him...he wakes up when he is hungry...yay! :)

Answer 9

my daughter slept for 4 hours at a time from the day she was born...if baby is hungry, she will wake you up...she will be fine.

Answer 10

It all depends on how much weight is your baby gaining and if your milk supply is well established or not. Ultimately, it is your comfort level since there is obvious differences of opinions.

During the first month, babies need to feed /grow a lot and can dehydrate quickly.  Our doctor advised to never let babies go more than 3 hours without feeding (even if asleep).  I think the max we let our little one at that age without feeding was 4 hrs.  He would usually just get up himself every 2-3 hrs.  

Answer 11

Personally, I'd wake her up by the 5 hr mark, but I'm also prone to mastitis in the first couple weeks, and at 2 weeks would be pretty engorged if my baby went 7 hours.  Has she gained her birthweight back?  Normal number of wet and dirty diapers?  Is she nursing at least 7 times in a 24-hr cycle (mine have usually been about 8 or 9)?  If all of the above, then I'd probably go ahead and let her sleep.  If not, then I'd wake her up at 4-5 hrs.

Answer 12

Babies will not starve themselves.  They will let you know when they are hungry!  Be thankful that she is letting you sleep, it may only last until she hits a growth spurt. My doctor always told me to let them sleep, they will let you know.  6 hours is not too long of a period for her to go with out eating.  I am sure she eats more frequently during the day!!

Answer 13

OK-seriously do not listen to these other answers! Not to be the bearer of "bad" news, but your newborn should absolutely NOT sleep through the night at this age. Every 2 hours during the day to feed, and at night you could push it to 4 house, BUT NO MORE THAN THAT! You are seriously going to mess up your milk supply if you're nursing, but most importanly, your baby is basically starving and missing out on so many nutrients that it needs.  Some  newborns are just too weak to wake up on their own. So the whole addage "baby will wake up when baby is hungry"--hogwosh!  Trust me, the baby is hungry, but can't wake up because she is so tired (could be from a number of things). Feed her through the night!!

Answer 14

My son is 8 days old and he sleeps thru the night wakes up just once to eat. At first I was worried, and asked everyone if this was okay. It is. I still wake up about a million times a night to check on my baby. Theres no need to worry.