Waking to feed...

[Samantha55]

Should I wake my baby to feed at 6 weeks old or just let him wake naturally? He has never gone more than 4 hours at night without feeding (usually every 2-3 after a first4 hr stint when first asleep) but a couple of times this week he has slept for 6 hours solid. Is it normal that he just wants longer sleeps now or should I wake him after 4hrs?

Also wondering as his weight gain hasn't been great... He has always gained at each weigh in apart from initial loss after birth but I am always told he hasn't gained enough... So I do worry about him feeding regularly.

The frustrating thing is that I am wide awake waiting to feed him as I woke after 4hrs but my little monkey is snoring happily at nearly 6hrs on!!!! Wish I could just sleep!!!

Thanks in advance for any advice

 

[mummy2b19]

Personally I would not wake him if he's wanting to sleep he obviously needs it. Re his weight gain ... are you eating and drinking enough you should at this early stage be eating breakfast lunch dinner and something in the AFternoons such as a sandwhich or soup something substantial. You also need to drink more when bf.
Is he draining one side before you swap to the other?

Has he had a 6 week growth spurt yet?

 

[Samantha55]

Personally I would not wake him if he's wanting to sleep he obviously needs it. Re his weight gain ... are you eating and drinking enough you should at this early stage be eating breakfast lunch dinner and something in the AFternoons such as a sandwhich or soup something substantial. You also need to drink more when bf.
Is he draining one side before you swap to the other?

Has he had a 6 week growth spurt yet?

I did let him sleep last night and fed him when he started stirring just after 6hrs sleep. I'm not sure on the growth spurt as he has always cluster fed at night since birth so feel like he has always constantly fed anyway! Although he had a really fussy day yesterday feeding lots so that may be the start of it. Also since that 6hr sleep, he has woke to feed every hour this morning.

In regards to my eating/drinking I think I am having enough. I've made a real conscious effort to drink lots and I do have my 3 main meals although probably need to have the inbetween snacks a bit more. I've started having oats for breaky and I try to express in between feeds also. I was put on Domperidone for 2 weeks to boost my supply incase that was the problem and I felt that was working as boobs felt much more full but then I was told I can't have more than 2 weeks worth and now boobs feel less full again so I plan to go see doctor to discuss as it was a MW who said I couldn't take it for longer but the reading I've done suggests taking it for longer. I do think he drains breasts with each feed although he can fuss so a feed tends to consist of several feeds across both breasts.

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