Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

feeding

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.
4 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
1066426 tn?1330270549
Well, if this helps, my pediatrician said if they are eating 8-12 times a day then it doesnt matter when they wake up to eat.  I feed him every 2 to 2.5 hours during the day and sometimes it means waking him up and he is 5 weeks, although he came 3 weeks early.  At night I let him sleep however long he wants and it still works out to be about 8-10 feedings for me.  Also, I am told if you feed the baby more during the day, the baby will sleep more at night, which I have found to be true for my baby.

Do what you and your pediatrician think is best for the baby, you are mom which means its your decision, no one elses :D

ok maybe dad can have a say, but thats it :P
Helpful - 0
1102290 tn?1278499953
I still feed Olivia every 2 to 3 hours - she does wake up like clockwork..... I am trying to get her on a schedule that works a little better for me now that she is 3 weeks.  I wake her at 11pm and feed her as much as she can take and she sleeps until 2 am for me - so that is the longest stretch she goes.... after that it is every 2 hours unless I am driving to the beach or picking my older kids for camp than it is more like 3 hours.  If they do sleep through the 3 hour time frame their sugar level could drop - causing them to be more sleepy... then creating the vicious cycle of being too hungry to wake up to eat... so yes you do have to wake a newborn to maintain the sugar level.  Things were done differently even a few years ago - like we were told to have babies on the belly to sleep so they did not choke on spit up - now it is the back.... tell your family that this is your baby and you are doing what the dr advised... unless any of them are pediatricians they are not qualified to chime their opinion!!!! Good Luck
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
yes, I did mean to say every 2 to 3 hours.
Helpful - 0
1035252 tn?1427227833
you mean every 2 to 3 hours? it depends on how you feel completely. with my daughter, for the first 2 weeks I woke her up every 2 1/2 hours to feed her..but my exhaustion finally broke me and I let her sleep a couple times and she seemed happier and hungrier for the feedings...so with this one I generally set an alarm for about 4 1/2 hours and if he hasn't eaten by then I'll offer him a feeding (which sometimes he takes, sometimes he doesn't...usually at night he goes about 5 hours between feedings and during the day it's more like 1-3 hours between feedings).

It's all up to what makes you feel better. Honestly, she'll wake up if she's hungry, so you do not HAVE to feed every 2-3 hours like clockwork. However, if you're afraid that she's getting hungry or it makes you feel more comfortable and secure to feed her on a schedule, by all means continue. You're the mommy and you get to call the shots and if something makes you feel better...do that! You're probably sleep deprived enough now that you need to do anything at all possible to lower your stress level, and if it makes you feel better to know she's eating regularly...do it!!

Tell your family that it's your baby and your choice, and that you'd rather feed her every 2-3 hours then have her possibly get hungry (which she won't, but it's OK it's still your choice!!!).
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Pregnancy: July 2010 Babies Community

Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Get information and tips on how to help you choose the right place to deliver your baby.
Get the facts on how twins and multiples are formed and your chance of carrying more than one baby at a time.
Learn about the risks and benefits of circumcision.
What to expect during the first hours after delivery.
Learn about early screening and test options for your pregnancy.
Learn about testing and treatment for GBS bacterium.