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should I offer advice? How do I do it tactfully?
Hey everybody! Just looking for some oppinions and what you think I should do...
I became an aunty a week ago today, my brothers fiance had a little boy. They're fantastic parents and doing a great job. The only thing I'm finding very strange is that they are waking him up 2hourly for a bottle. which, if he takes 20mins to have his feed and fall asleep, can mean he's only sleeping an hour and 40mins at a time - which to me doesnt seem long at all for a newborn!?
I completely understand the need or want for a routine, but surely, if he will happily sleep 3-4hours before waking up hungry, they should just take his lead and have a 3-4hourly routine rather than 2hours? Is it just me that thinks this is a bit strange? I know from my experience babies that young can sleep and need to sleep for much longer periods than an hour and a half sorta thing. Are they setting themselves up for hardwork when he gets a little older and more alert and expects milk every 2hours?
When they're waking him he doesn't seem particularly eager to have his bottle and he never finishes them - but surely this is because he's just not hungry again yet?
Now I know I've always hated people "sticking their noses in" and offering unwanted advice, so should I bother saying anything? I'm so tempted to just throw in something like "perhaps if you woke him after 3-4hours he might take more of his bottle?" but don't want to come across as pushy!!
How do you offer friendly advice? should I even bother in this instance? I just feel like they're making hardwork for themselves unnecissarily so I might be able to help.....
any oppinions welcome (i may well just be being a nosey aunty!) xxx
I became an aunty a week ago today, my brothers fiance had a little boy. They're fantastic parents and doing a great job. The only thing I'm finding very strange is that they are waking him up 2hourly for a bottle. which, if he takes 20mins to have his feed and fall asleep, can mean he's only sleeping an hour and 40mins at a time - which to me doesnt seem long at all for a newborn!?
I completely understand the need or want for a routine, but surely, if he will happily sleep 3-4hours before waking up hungry, they should just take his lead and have a 3-4hourly routine rather than 2hours? Is it just me that thinks this is a bit strange? I know from my experience babies that young can sleep and need to sleep for much longer periods than an hour and a half sorta thing. Are they setting themselves up for hardwork when he gets a little older and more alert and expects milk every 2hours?
When they're waking him he doesn't seem particularly eager to have his bottle and he never finishes them - but surely this is because he's just not hungry again yet?
Now I know I've always hated people "sticking their noses in" and offering unwanted advice, so should I bother saying anything? I'm so tempted to just throw in something like "perhaps if you woke him after 3-4hours he might take more of his bottle?" but don't want to come across as pushy!!
How do you offer friendly advice? should I even bother in this instance? I just feel like they're making hardwork for themselves unnecissarily so I might be able to help.....
any oppinions welcome (i may well just be being a nosey aunty!) xxx
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It there is no reason for it. Then yes i would definitely say something, most lo's can go at least 3hours if not 4, therefore they are just making extra work! I would say what you suggested.
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As it's not strictly harmful to be doing it, I'd probably leave well alone. Baby will settle into a better routine when it's older anyway and teh MW/HV will be able to advise.
What was baby's weight? DD was a low birth weight and I was told it was important to wake her up as hungry babies in the beginning will often sleep more and not wake up for feeds x
I wouldn't worry about it, they'll figure it out soon enough and realise that (unless for medical reasons obviously) you never wake a sleeping baby!!!