How long until you wake them for a feed?

[berit87]

Cameron likes to sleep a lot! He eats really well, am exclusively breastfeeding, there's poos and dirty nappies but... Last night I fed him about 1 am and I woke up in shock at half 5 and he still hadn't woken up for a feed... He is a week old.
What's the maximum I should leave until I wake him? I know the midwife/HV say no more than 4 but surely babies know when they're hungry?
x

 

[Yodabo]

I'd like to know this as well. Drake is only 5 days old and slept from 1am till 5.20am!

With my first I used to feed him at 11pm and he woke up at 7 most mornings..such a good baby lol It never did him any harm as he was a big feeder.

I'm sure it's fine though? As long as they're getting enough in the day?

 

[ERIN84]

I think its upto each parent really. My MW told me no longer than 4 hours. So for a few days I was waking Emily up for feeds and she was so unhappy! I started leaving her until she wanted it and she was so much better for it and is now in a fantastic routine for feeding

 

[kiki]

I was also told 4 hours by the MW and stuck to it, but then again my little one had jaundice so that had to be cleared by regular feeds.

 

[Zazu]

My mw told me to wake him after 6 hours until he was 9lb, then to let him sleep through.

 

[megsmeadow]

I was told no more than three hours as Ross had urates showing in his nappy and he was jaundiced. Apparently it's a sign they are a bit dehydrated and shows as a sort of orange stain. The gp told me that urates can also happen as the kidneys kick in, so not always a good indicator. As long as he's eating well during the day and doesn't look dry in his mouth/eyes. Sorry that probably didn't help.

 

[isobel84]

my sister boy wouldnt wake up all night and after a while he wouldnt keep up with a good weight so they told her she had to wake him up every 4 hours to make sure he keept up x

 

[berit87]

Thanks girls! You have been very helpful! To be honest he is such a happy baby, he hardly ever cries and even that's more of a moan. He was already 10.2lbs when he was born, hasn't really lost much weight at all, he feeds well during the day... I might let him sleep how he wants as I will have a midwife visit again on Sunday and then if they are not happy with anything I will take it from there... As everyone has said to me - babies know when they are hungry so they won't be sitting around, they will let you know.
Naturally as mums, we always worry xx

 

[serenitylove]

id say as long as they not going 6+ hours id let baby sleep the thought of waking a sleeping one has never appealed