I know I should feel very lucky, but I am concerned that my 9 week old is now sleeping through the night without feeding. I had been waking him up to feed him every 4 hours during the night until the past 2 nights when I decided to let him wake up if he needed to feed. He never woke up. He still has enough wet diapers and 2 poopy diapers per day and will feed about 7 times a day for anywhere from 10-30 minutes. Is this OK? I still feel like he can't possibly be getting enough to eat, but he had gained plenty of weight at his 2 month pediatric appointment and she said I could let him feed on demand. I usually feed him from only one breast because I had been told by a lactation consultant to make sure he gets the hind milk. Sometimes I pump the other breast and I only get about 2-3 oz in 10 minutes which makes me think he can't be getting more than 2-3 oz when he feeds. Is this enough? He sleeps a lot and is awake during the day for a total of about 6 hours and takes 2-3 long naps during the day. I am looking for encouragement that he is OK and that I don't need to be waking him up to feed. Thanks!
K.,
I have two boys, both breast fed until 1 year. Both slept through the night at three weeks. Both gained, pooped, etc, and were very happy.....because they were getting the sleep that they needed. At 13, and 11 now, they are great, healthy, strong, (and still my babies). I suggest letting them sleep. Pump those "missed" feedings, and RELAX!
A.
As long as he is gaining weight and having enough wet and poopy diapers then you are fine...and lucky! Once my babies reached 2 weeks old and were back up to their birth weights, my pediatrician said not to wake them.
K. - you are doing a GREAT job!!! My son was the same way, and I worried too that he was missing a meal since he slept through the night really early. But, if he's hungry he'll wake up. And enjoy it while it lasts!
First, sleeping through the night at 9 weeks is great! My kids didn't do it, but others have and it's totally fine to let them sleep. When they are hungry, they will wake up! I read an amazing book "Happy Baby, Healthy Sleep Habits" and in it he says to never wake a sleeping baby.
Second, the baby is much more efficent at getting milk out than a pump is so he is probably getting more than 2-3 oz. I formula fed my son and the recommedation was 2-3 oz every 2-3 hours, so even if he is only getting 2-3 oz, it's ok!
Hi K.,
I understand your concern, you have to follow your 'gut instinct'. I set an alarm and woke up my first born every few hours but with my second never set an alarm for feeding, but my first was born at not quite 7 pounds and my second was almost 9 pounds at birth. It's hard to know for sure. You can check these websites for really good info.....www.llli.org, www.mothering.com. www.askdrsears.com and www.kellymom.com.
Good luck and GOOD for you for breastfeeding!!!!!
S.
You are doing a great job! That's awesome that he is sleeping through the night at 9 weeks. My son also sleep through the night at that age. That is goal once they reach around 12-13lbs they don't need to eat at night. You probably will notice him taking in more food during the day to be able to sleep through the night with out feeding. Enjoy your sleep!
You are blessed with an easy baby who loves his sleep. SO AM I! Just be happy and thankful. My son was also sleeping about 9 hours a night starting at 9 weeks. Soon thereafter it turned into 12 hours a night. I breastfed him every 2 1/2- 3 hrs during the day. It was obviously enough calories during the day that allowed him to sleep through the night. Outstanding!
My daughter slept through the night at 7 weeks old (8-9hrs) consistently. As long as the baby is eating the right amount of nutrients during the daytime (first feeding at 7am and last feeding around 10pm) then sleeping 9 hours is just fine. You want your child to eat enough during the day so that the middle of the night feeding is no longer necessary. If you read the books about how many ounces or how many minutes at the breast is needed for certain ages then you'll know if he's getting enough. Try to relax and know that your baby will tell you what he needs. And try to enjoy those 9 hours without waking to wonder why he's not up yet :-)
WOW...that is pretty fortunate......I heard - you may want to check with a breastfeeding specialist, but I heard that babies start to "cluster feed" - eat a lot more during the day and have longer stretches at night. You may want to call your OB or hospital and ask, but if the baby is still gaining weight, peeing and pooping - you should be ok
Your little man is so lucky to have you as his mommy! You are so awesome! And you are doing a GREAT job! My boys ALWAYS ate more than I could ever pump. I don't know why but I would have to pump for days to get enough milk stored up for us to go anywhere for a few hours. All 3 of my boys were at least 9lbs at birth, were breastfed only and grew almost off the chart. LOL I wouldn't go by how much you pump as I would how he is growing. Keep up the good work mom!
Take Care,
N. :) SAHM homeschooling 3 boys 13, 8 & 2 yrs old and married to my Mr. Wonderful 15yrs next month. I love to help moms, who want to become SAHMs, reach that goal!
I think it is okay for him to sleep through the night. I would wake him gently after 8 hours, some would say 6. Some babies sleep through the night! He is making up for it in the day time. If he appeared listless or if his soft spot is sunken when he woke, I would wake him sooner. I did have babies that I nursed at 11pm and then again at 6 am. That was a nice schedule for them and me.
I agree with your lactation consultant about nursing on one breast. It really does the trick for some babies, and I found that they seem more content. Don't worry about how much you are pumping, you might not be letting down all the way, and if you are not using a professional grade pump the results are not always an indicator of how much milk you have. Your baby is the best pump!
Oh K.!
Sorry so late to respond, but sounds like it is OK for kiddo...but is it OK for you? lol
Quick funny story. Had to drive from NH to virginia in two separate cars. My new infant son was breastfed, so I had him in my car...my now ex had animals. The deal was when son woke to feed...we would stop. This was pre cell phone days...so I was in the 'lead'. Any way, the hours passed...son kept sleeping...and my breasts kept getting bigger...and BIGGER. I finally HAD to pull over, and my husband pulled up behind to get son out of car seat for me. As I undid my bra and was turning to take son...BOTH breasts were streaming..forcefully...and I soaked the whole interior of the car!
Anyway, as long as kiddo is gaining...peeing...pooping...and YOU are OK (lol)...then rejoice that ya have a good sleeper!
Take Care
Michele/catwalk
Dear K.~
Its definatly alright to let him sleep through the night! I as well was very lucky to have my son start sleeping through the night at 2 months. He is getting old enough to be able to feed on demand. My son is 4 mnths old and he started waking up during the night for about 4 days straight but he is sleeping again through the night, and he lets me know every time he is hungry. He won't be sleeping like this for long, so soak it in!! lol. I hope I was some help! Good luck with your little guy!
It is fine! Enjoy! Like you, I only breastfed from 1 breast and pumped from the other breast... due to severe nipple pain and positional preference. My breasts were definitely sized differently and the breast that was pumped had significantly LESS milk... so if you are only breastfeeding from 1 breast, he is probably getting much more milk than you realize.
When my daughter was born, they said that babies start to sleep through the night when they reach about 10 lbs so....depending on the his size this is perfectly okay (according to my pediatrician).
ENJOY it, babies change their sleeping patterns all the time so, there may be times coming up when he doesn't, enjoy it while you can! :)
Wendy
Don't worry Mom. Your baby is fine! Be glad you have a sleeper. My son slept thru the night at two weeks and ever after. I breastfed him during the day about every three hours. He grew very fast. doubled his birth weight in two months. And he was a very happy baby! AF
I agree with everyone that your son is probably just a good sleeper, and you don't need to worry. I wanted to add that my son would sleep all night, and wasn't gaining weight well, having enough dirty or wet diapers, and was listless during the day. . . we recognized all the signs quickly, and changed what we were doing. I tell you that to reassure you that you'll know if your baby isn't healthy, or if something changes that lets you know he needs more food. It's totally normal for some babies to easily put themselves on a good sleeping pattern/schedule at 9 weeks.
Hi K.,
This is absolutely fine. My daughter switched to 8 hour night sleep when she was 3 weeks old. It was actually quite nice since we could have our sleep. Although, I did get up every night for the next 3 months to pump breast milk, cause I didn't have enough and was afraid to loose it. After I stop waking up my milk started reducing, and I stopped breast feeding after 6 months. So, there are pros and cons as you see. My girl was just fine. She ate well during the day every 4 hours (including the night breast milk). And she developed very well without any problems. In fact she started to hold her head and trying to stand on her feet when she was only 4 weeks old, and had her first two teeth when she was 4 and a half months old only.
Good luck and see what works for you.
--
Yours sincerely,
Lyuda
You know enough milk is going in because of the diapers and the weight gain. And if he is active and getting stronger, then he should be fine. You are lucky but babies grow and change. He will have growth spurts where he nurses more often, even at night. And even the best sleepers can be undone by teething. Enjoy this wonderful time with him and the uninterrupted sleep.
K.
I don't suggest you wake a sleeping child for anything EVEN feedings. A baby knows when it's hungry and will wake to eat. That is one of the things i don't listen to the doctor they only reason i would EVER wake a sleeping baby for feedings is it's a preemie or not growing. Give him a chance to regulate himself, especially if it's to your benefit.
If he is alert, gaining weight and having lots of wet and poopy diapers then I would not sweat it! Enjoy the sleep- he may decide later that he wants to get up and comfort nurse. You sound like a great mom!
Just relax and enjoy your baby. It is ok for him to feed on both sides if he wants to and don't worry about the pumping. It is good for having some extra on hand but it is not a good indicator of how much milk you are producing. Nothing empties a breast as efficiently as a baby not even the very best pumps. Getting 2-3oz when pumping is very good but your baby is most likely getting more than that. I think the best things to look at you have already mentioned. He seems happy and alert, he pees, poops and grows. Enjoy the longer time to sleep and don't be surprised if it does not last. These things come and go in my experience.
It is fine, if your son is hungry he will wake up to eat. If he isn't cranky and doesn't cry a lot when he feeds it sounds like everything is going smoothly. You are lucky the little man sleeps so long at night.
It's not only ok, it is awesome! I underrstand your worries. The first time my son slept through the night, I was anxious too, but he is ok. IF he was not getting enough milk in his other feedings, he would wake up and let you know. The best measure and the most objective is his weight. As long as he continues to gain, he is fine. My advise, since he is sleeping...get some more sleep!
I have had 6 kids and nursed all of them for their first year. If your baby is gaining enough weigh, I would just consider yourself lucky! It sounds like your baby is getting plenty of nourishment during the day. I had one baby that started sleeping through the night (about 8 hours) at 6 weeks old and he was alot like your baby you are describing. He is very healthy! My mom always told me "Never wake a sleeping baby" -- as long as they are healthy. They will wake up if they are really hungry. I made that mistake with my first one and she is 13 now and has never been a good sleeper (she never took naps when she was a toddler and even now doesn't like to sleep much (maybe 7 hours a night). And you never know, this might just be a phase because of a growing spurt, so just take advantage of it and enjoy the rest.
Good luck, L.
Hi there,
I would think it was okay, though 9 hours sounds really long! I would check out www.kellymom.com. They are really good with breastfeeding questions.
Good luck!
Hi K. - I posted this exact same question not too long ago! My daughter started sleeping through the night very early on as well. I've always fed her on demand, and was told that as long as she was gaining well and having enough wet/poopy diapers that everything is fine. It sounds like your son is getting plenty to eat. Enjoy your sleep! He will eat when he needs to, and for as long as he needs to. I've never goten very much milk while pumping, and honestly I suspect that I don't pump as much as my daughter eats at one time because the stimulation is completely different. Try not to worry. It's hard when you're breastfeeding exclusively because you never know how much they're getting, but it sounds to me like your son is just fine.
Hi, K. - I'm sure your son is fine! Never wake up a sleeping baby! Relax and enjoy. It sounds like you are doing great. N.
If he is gaining weight and is continuing to have several wet diapers, then I'd say that you are very lucky that you have a baby that likes to sleep a lot. After the first six weeks, babies will usually fall into a pattern that suits their individual needs. It sounds like your son is getting enough milk from you during the times that he nurses during the day, so he is able to go longer at night. The only thing I would watch out for is to make sure that your milk supply is not affected adversely from the lack of nursing for the long stretch. It doesn't sound like that is a problem since he is gaining weight and eliminating on a regular basis. By the way, babies are much more efficient than a pump, so don't go by how much you can express when pumping. Good luck and listen to your own instincts. You are doing great by your baby.
He sounds PERFECT!!! Relax. Personally I would feed from both breasts each feeding or you might end up w/ lopsided boobs. My daughter favored my right one and my left one started to dry up and is now smaller.
It sounds like he is feeding enough times during the day, and 10-30min. is good. He is probably getting more than waht you can pump, although I used to use that to judge how much my kids got. But a 9wk old could be satisfied w/ a 3-4oz feeding every 2-3hrs. He is gaining weight. HIs diapers are wet and poopy. And he naps during the day. AND sleeps all night? I wouldnt mess w/ his nights. It could be a short lived event, or it could be how he will continue to sleep. Enjoy it however long it does last and know that he sounds Perfect.
All four of my kids started sleeping through the night (at least 7 hours) before they turned 4 weeks... They were all very healthy and still are.
As long as he is gaining weight properly and maintaining proper diaper output, it should be fine.
I forget if it is 4 or 6 weeks, but pretty early on, you don't have to wake baby for a feeding.
Feeding on demand is a two way street and you seem to be getting the best of it. Enjoy it.
I would not do that. You are still suppose to wake them to feed them whether you are tired or if the baby is still a sleep. I breast fed myself and at that age you want to wake them up.
SH.
