I have a few day old baby, and she was sick last night so she didnt get any sleep. She went to sleep at about 7 o clock this morning and is still sleeping. I would like her to get the rest, but I could only imagine how hungry she might be. I breastfeed. Should I wake her to feed, or wait untill she wakes up on her own? Will she wake up when she gets hungry enough?
2006-11-15 03:23:49 · 27 answers · asked by Vennessa 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
You should wake her up, only because of her age. If she were older than two weeks, I'd say let her sleep. But she's not. She's very tiny needs a lot of calories and nourishment to help her body get bigger and stronger. She also needs round-the-clock feedings to make sure she doesn't become jaundiced. Since you're breastfeeding, you should be feeding her every 2.5-3 hours for the first two weeks.
"Never wake a sleeping baby" is good advice.... but only AFTER the baby is older than two weeks - and out of the "danger zone."
EDITED TO ADD: It's a myth that all babies know to wake up "when they're hungry." At under two weeks of age, her body is too immature to know when she needs nourishment. And babies who are sick often have suppressed hunger responses.
2006-11-15 03:32:46 · answer #1 · answered by blossymom 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I do not wake sleeping babies to feed them, but... big "but" here... You need to gauge if she is sleeping because she is "tired" or if she is actually exhausted. A baby that is only a few days old, when they get "sick" they can not fight as much as an older baby, or toddler, could. They can use their resources for only so long and they go into distress. Too much distress and you end in the hospital for a long time. I suggest to get the baby in for a "sick" visit at the peds office, if you think that it is not better by the time you read this(because I see the post was 11 hours ago) I suggest you go to the ER to be on the safe side.
2006-11-15 22:16:48 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't know what part of the country you in, but lets say East Cost. Which means the baby has been asleep for 4 hours now. I'd let her sleep one more hour and than wake her up. Depending on baby's size, health conditions and age it is ok to have a big strong baby feed every 3 hours. Since she didn't sleep at night, she probably just catching up. What you don't want to happen is for baby to go dehydrated. This is why I'd waite a bit longer and than wake her up.
Good luck
2006-11-15 11:46:55 · answer #3 · answered by alkak1 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If she's only a few days old, I'd not let her have more than one longish (4 hours) stretch of sleep. I'd be trying to wake her to feed after 2-3 hours the rest of the time. She needs to feed to have energy to grow and she needs to bring your milk supply in fully. If you really think she is ill, call your ped. She's only a few days old so she probably really needs to be seen to make sure all is OK!
2006-11-15 11:53:33 · answer #4 · answered by momma2mingbu 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If the baby is only a few days old and "sick" you should call your doctor. The doctor will tell you what to do, she might need to be seen. Also, if you miss a feeding due to her sleeping, pump to keep your milk supply going.
2006-11-15 11:49:14 · answer #5 · answered by GoPackGo 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I would wake her and feed her. If she is tired she will go back to sleep. Also if she was sick, then she may need to see her doctor. If she were older I wouldn't say that but since she is only a few days, It would probably be best.
2006-11-15 11:30:10 · answer #6 · answered by mommyofthree 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Every baby is different, but I would let the baby sleep. Some people like to be "scheduled", but I believe when your baby is hungry she will wake up. Some times when you wake them up for a feeding, they are too sleepy to eat, just to get ill from being woke up.
2006-11-15 11:29:11 · answer #7 · answered by wwjd 2 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Many things to consider were you told at the hospital that she lost more then 10% of her birth weight. If that is the case i would wake her every three hours and feed her. Is your milk in yet? I would never let e new born go more then 5 hours without eating. I have three children and breast feed them all with success.
2006-11-15 11:29:14 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Let her sleep! The only worry I would have is whether the doctor has overdosed her with medication that are drowsy? If not, let her sleep. She will definitely wake up hungry and eat a double meal.
Trust me. I'm both a parent and an MD.
2006-11-15 11:33:27 · answer #9 · answered by MD 2 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Let her sleep until she wakes up. She will wake when she gets hungry enough. She probably needs the sleep more. Good Luck and I hope she gets better!
2006-11-15 11:26:53 · answer #10 · answered by jamiasl 3 · 4⤊ 3⤋