feeding

[rghkah38]

i've been feeding Stella who was born 7/06/2010 2 to 3 times a day.  So, that means I wake her up at night to feed her.  I am getting gieve from people in my family saying I shouldn't wake her up.  I feel like I should and this is what the doctors at the hospital told me to do.  What do you all think? I feel like I am doing the right thing, but my family is stressing me out.

[rghkah38]

The dr. told me her weight is good.  He was the only dr that said I will have to keep feeding her every 2 -3 hours.  Everyone else I spoke to said after a month you can let her sleep more at night.

[Helen72]

If I remember this right, Anna gained one pound that week so our pediatrician said it was OK to stop feeding her at night.  I think that was at our 1 month appointment.  Feeding 2-3 hours at night for 4 months may cause your baby to be a poor sleeper long term.  This is a strange advice.  Is your dr concerned about weight gain?

[rghkah38]

She does have 6-8 wet diapers a day and she has been gainning weight which makes me very happy that she is doing so well.  I just been hearing that people don"t wake up their babies to feed every 2 -3 hours which I feel it should ne done when their new borns.  I spoke to one of the dr.'s at Chop Hospital for children and she said after a month you can let your baby sleep longer.  The Peditrician that I saw yesterday said 2 to 3 hours for 4 months.

[PamelaBee]

If your baby has at least 6-8 wet diapers in 24 hrs, she is getting enough.  Listen to your pediatrician.  Just nurse her as many times as you can...if she wants to sleep through the night (WHAT A BLESSING!) let her.  I believe, when they are hungry they eat, when they are tired, they sleep...common sense right?  Many moms do both,  wake them to feed, or let them sleep.   Neither of my kids ever slept through the night as babies...my 1yr old still nurses during the night.  I'm sure you are still taking her in for weight checks...unless you see a 10% weight loss at these checkups, she's doing fine.  I know in the beginning, you want to see them thrive and our mindset is to feed feed feed!  But believe me, from experience, little by little they will gain weight, and it will all even out.  Babies tell you what they want even at 3wks old!  : )

[rghkah38]

I know every child is different, but how much weight was she and also how many months?  I saw the dr. yesterday and he told me I had to feed her every 2 to 3 hours a day for 4 months.

[Helen72]

First, BIG congrats on your baby!  You made it!  I know it was a tough journey for you and your dh.

I was feeding Anna every 3-4 hours at night till my ped TOLD me she was gaining enough weight and I can let her feed on demand at night.

[PamelaBee]

LOL  I thought so... : )  

[rghkah38]

Sorry, I mean't to say every 2 to 3 hours.  

[LosingMyMindInGA]

Your baby should be feeding every 2-4 hours at this age.  As for waking her at night....that's a personal decision.  If she is eating regularly every 2-3 hrs during the day then there's no harm in letting her sleep for a period of 4-6 hours without waking her, however I would not let her go any longer than that.  She needs the nutrition becuase of all the growing she is doing and the fat in the breastmilk helps with brain development so you really don't want to short her but extending 1 feeding a nigth isn't going to make a difference.

[PamelaBee]

Hello!  Stella was my Mothers name, I love it!  I hope you're feeding her more than 2-3 times a day...a newborn feeds almost 4x's that!  A good resource is the Breastfeeding forum, there are lots of nursing moms on that site that can give you some great advice!  

[rjoshua]

I had the same concerns with my dd, even though she woke up on her own every 2-3hrs for feedings.  She just started sleeping throught the night at 3 months. I would highly suggest speaking with your pediatrician (even if you just give her a call).

It is easy for people to give a advice regarding our children, and some with the best intentions, but at the end of the day it is what is best for your child - not necessarily how you feel as though you should raise them or how others raise their children, but what is best for the baby themselves.  And at this age your baby girl is getting to know you, just as you are getting to know her.  

I'm a new mother and have many fears/concerns.  I've found that I recieved some advice from family and friends that was valid (others not so), even though I had some reservations, and you know what...my daughter was all the happier for it.

Hope this helps :)

[KarenDiane]

Personally, I never woke my kids to eat. I think you should do what you feel is best. No one should be telling you how to raise your child. Tell them that had their turn and now it's yours.

[oceanv]

in the hospital they wanted them to be fed every four hours or more, if the baby did not wake themselves then you were supposed to do it..... i never had this problem as mine was an every 2 hour waker.   as far as I know you are doing what the hosp would want.

good luck,
j