My 4 week old baby sleeps through the night, is this normal or should I wake her?

Question

I know that other mothers will hate me for asking this, but I am worried about the amount my baby sleeps at night and am not sure if I should be waking her to feed during the night. She has always been a good sleeper and even at 4 days was only waking once during the night. Last night she slept for 8 hours without waking. I have tried getting up to feed her during the night but she doesn't seem very interested and is hard to wake. She feeds well during the day, at least 7-8 times and is putting on weight at about 150g - 200g a week (about 5-7 ounces I think) she seems to be developing well and is really alert during the day but at night she almost seems to hibernate. Every doctor or midwife I speak to has a different opinion. Has anyone else experienced this, should I be worried or just shut up and be grateful I can sleep?

Answer 1

I understand why you are concerned but you said it best..... "Just shut up and be grateful you can sleep" honey :) She will wake if she is hungry. The first couple nights of your child sleeping through the night are always hard on the moms. We get up to make sure they still are breathing or we lay awake knowing that as soon as we fall alseep they will wake up. The way you feel right now is normal. Enjoy it though and try to sleep.. like I said if she gets hungry she will wake. Take Care Honey.

Note: my first child slept through the night at 4 weeks. Her doctor said that most babies after 1-2 months wake up to eat at night out of habit more so than need.. If they make up for the missed feedings during the day than everything is fine. Sounds like you child is eating 35-40oz per day: thats all she needs.

Answer 2

Well, it's not 'normal' - most babies will not sleep this much, although they need it. Sleep is so important for young babies and toddlers. It is when there brain grows and develops. My son was the same, he did nothing but sleep during the first couple of months. He was a very strong, healthy boy who hit all his milestones way before others his age. He was always content and placid and happy and always woke up with a smile on his face, and I credit this to his excellent sleeping habits. He is now an extremely intelligent 22month old boy who still sleeps 12 hours a night and naps for 2-3 hours a day. I now also have a 4 month old, who does not like sleep. He wakes 4 times a night, and only naps for 15 minutes at a time during the day. He is often unsettled and grumpy and really fights his naps. It is still too early to tell if this will impact on his development, but in my experience with nieces and nephews who do not sleep well as babies, were later in hitting milestones than babies i know, like my own, who slept brilliantly from the word go. good luck, consider yourself lucky :) you have a strong, healthy, clever little baby on your hands :)

Answer 3

If she is drinking enough milk during the day there is nothing to worry about. Just make sure that she gets enough milk during the day and she is gaining weight perfectly so get caught up on some much needed sleep.

Answer 4

If you want to put your baby to sleep in 20 seconds you must get the "Instant Baby Sleep" MP3 sound track. Here is their official web-site: http://www.instantbabysleep.net

The sound track gently produces energy over the full human hearing spectrum with an embedded pulse that gently eases the brain to the Alpha state well known for drowsiness and sleep induction.

Answer 5

My youngest son did the same thing. Just check on her every once in a while. My son is perfectly fine, he is now 5 yrs. old. So do not worry, some doctors don't always know. Sometimes they just go by the book, your baby is not in a book, or they would have given you one when she was born.

Answer 6

Be grateful she is a good sleeper already. If he gets hungry and wants to eat, she will let you know, believe me. Enjoy your sleep when you can get it. Oh man, don't ever wake her unless the house is on fire or something.

Answer 7

Oh be so greatful!! My niece was like that!( I loved watching her at night) My children where not they were up every 3 hrs like clock work.

And something really neat to do is to teach them sign language. My brother and his wife have been teaching my niece, she's a little over one now and knows over 50 signs. she can tell u when she's hungry and what she wants to eat, animals, when she's thirsty and what she wants to drink and when she wants a bath. It's the neatest thing I have ever seen!!

Answer 8

If she is gaining and thriving leave her be. However, keep a very close eye on her as some babies do not know if they are hungry or do not wake when they are hungry until they are 6 weeks.

Answer 9

Babies sleep about 16 hours when they are born, and this will gradually fall in time.

If you are worried, you should speak to the doctors.

I wouldn't think you have to worry, unless he is going too long without milk or starving.

Answer 10

If your baby is gaining weight regularly and at a good weight, let her sleep through the night.

My pediatrician told me at my son's 2 week appointment that he put on enough weight and if he slept through the night let him. Didn't happen for us. Prey it keeps happening for you.