Difficulties feeding newborn at night

Replies

• colligreen

  Feb 13, 2011 9:59AM

  Hi,
  
  First of all, congratulations on becoming a mummy!
  
  My theory on night feeds was only feed when she was awake and wanted a feed. I know they all tell you that you MUST feed every 3 hours but I figured if she was hungry she would wake and let me know! You may be lucky and have a good night sleeper who doesn't need much at night?!
  
  Re your worry about enough milk - the usual advice is getting 6-8 wet nappies a day and generally being happy between feeds, as well as putting on weight. I'm currently feeding my 2nd, who was taking her feeds in less than 10 minutes at that age and still putting on loads of weight, so you can't really tell from how long they're feeding for.
  
  Well done for perservering with BF, one day it all clicks into place and it becomes enjoyable. I love it now!!
  
  Corinna x

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• earwig1971

  Feb 13, 2011 4:15PM

  Hi Elf...not sure if any use to you, but I'd agree with Corinna and would only feed when baby wakes, rather than purposefully waking her. Our Mia happens to wake every 3 hours during the night, but if she sleeps longer (very odd occasion!) then I leave her to sleep on the premise that she will wake if she's hungry.
  
  
  
  Also the same as Corinna, Mia only feeds for a maximum of 15 minutes and no encouragement on this earth will persuade her either to feed for longer or to take a second sitting, but is putting on more than 1oz each day. However, I do have a concern that she is only getting the foremilk and so not getting the nutrients she needs, only the fat which is what the weight is.
  
  
  
  Hope this helps...just don't feel guilty if you leave her to sleep...I'd be over the moon if our Mia gave us more than 3 hours kip at a stretch!!
  
  
  
  Take care xx

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• MrsELF

  Feb 14, 2011 5:39AM

  Thanks ladies, we had a much better night last night and Esme did wake herself at about 3/3.5 hrs which meant it was much easier to then get her back to sleep after her feed. She also seems much more awake this morning, as is mummy!
  
  
  
  We are seeing the HV on wednesdays, hopefully she is gaining weight, which will make me feel a bit more confident to leave her to sleep.
  
  
  
  Thanks for the advice, it really did help to reassure me in those desperate hours!
  
  
  
  Elf

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• jojo149

  Feb 18, 2011 6:01PM

  Hi Hun only just saw this post but couldn't just read and run! I agree with both ladies, she's obviously contented enough to stay asleep so there is no need to wake her. Ur obviously feeding her well or she wouldn't do this. Remember breastfeeing is demand fed, if she's not demanding it then there is no need! If she's hungry she will wake!! Also just wanna say what a fantastic job you are doing well done!! Ur obviously a fab mummy!! All the best xxx

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• MrsELF

  Feb 19, 2011 6:22AM

  Thanks Jojo - she had put on 8oz when we saw the health visitor on wednesday, so back to her birth weight and more, so I'm much more confident she is getting what she needs.
  
  
  
  However, we have a new problem now, in that she is resisting going to sleep at all at night - no idea why she sleeps in her moses basket and rocker quite happily all day, but wakes up within in 5 mins of being put down at night - oh the joys of newborns!

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