Newborn sleeping too much at a time??

Question

OK, I'm NOT complaining, but my 1 week old will sleep for 6 hours at night. Is this OK? She eats about 2 ounces, is awake for about an hour, then dozes off. During the day, she'll eat every 2-3 hours, but I'm just concerned about the stretch at night. We have a Dr's appointment later this week, but you know how it is.....I just wondered if anyone else has had this with their little one.

Thanks!

Answer 1

For me, i think it's ok. So long during the daytime, baby drinks her milk on 2-3 hourly basis.

haha.. I think, you should count yourself lucky for a baby (1 week old only) to almost sleep thru the night.

We, who have to get up to tend to our little ones will sure envy you alot.


Here's something you might want to know..
n i'm sure you've heard it countless times.

Measure your baby, not by how much he/she drinks, but how much output he/she produces.

So long baby is producing at least 7-8 wet nappies and is gaining weight well, do not worry.
Also, baby should be cheerful/happy and contented.

Answer 2

Because when a baby is awake the mother is tending to the baby the majority of the time. When the baby sleeps, that becomes an opportunity for the mom to get household chores done, a shower maybe, cook some food or just eat a snack, pay some bills etc. Your body doesn't shut of automatically the second your baby falls asleep. And my baby never slept. She took 15-30 min naps 3 times a day and woke every 2 hours in the night. Now, at almost 8 months, she naps 30 min to an hour at the most once or twice a day and wakes every 3-4 hours in the night. Every baby is different. My friend has a baby who sleeps so much the mom is actually bored. Me on the other hand, I never stop.

Answer 3

If you are breast feeding your baby you definitely do not want her to go for 6 hours at a time without nursing. That is not good for your milk supply. In lieu of that there are still reasons why it is not normal for a one week old baby to sleep that long at a stretch. My first baby did that and he had Pyloric Stenosis. He ended up having surgery when he was only a few weeks old.
Of course you did say "she" and pyloric stenosis usually only happens to boys.
I think it is a good thing that you have a doctors appointment soon, I would discuss this with your doctor and see what she has to say about it
BTW, since she is only 1 week old it is not too late to start breastfeeding her. You are missing out on one of the most incredible experiences of your lifetime and depriving your baby of all the wonderful natural immunities that she could be receiving from your milk! Don't give up. Call the La Leche League and at least talk to them about the possibility. It is the best thing you will ever do! You will NEVER be sorry.
Blessings
Lady T~

Answer 4

My son did the same thing. It's perfectly okay. My recommendation is to count your blessings, get some sleep, and try not to rub it into the faces of those poor souls whose babies won't sleep longer than 3-4 hours at a time until they're 7-8 months old (or older).

When in doubt, ask your pediatrician. That's what they are there for. No need to make an appointment, just call the office and ask your question.

Answer 5

Everything's fine I'm sure.
Babies have their own schedule.
The funny thing about guideline books and charts is that the babies haven't read them!! LOL!
Really....They are only guidelines.
Every baby does somethings the way the doctor's and specialist's say they will.
And they have things they will do differently!!
I was even luckier than 6 hour sleep cycles.
I have 3 kids and they all slept 8-10 hrs at a time at night from the moment they came into the world!
Of course they were famished when they woke up!!
My female friends and relatives were jealous!!
Good Luck! And Best Wishes!
Take advantage and enjoy the rest!!!

You're going to need it!!

Answer 6

Hi,
I am a nursing student, and here is what my maternal child text said about newborn sleep patterns...

"The newborn demonstrates several different sleep-wake states after the initial periods of reactivity. It is not uncommon for a newborn to sleep almost continually for the first 2-3 days following birth, awakening only for feedings every 3-4 hours. Some newborns bypass this stage of deep sleep and require only 12-16 hours of sleep. Parents should know this is normal."

-Lolly

Answer 7

Wow, lucky you! I think the doctor will probably say as long as your baby is growing at a healthy rate then she is probably eating an adequate amount during the day and the six hour stretch of not eating would be okay. I have read in books that if they sleep through their next feeding that young you are supposed to wake them and feed them anyway but if your doctor says it's okay then it probably is!

Answer 8

My daughter did the same thing it is perfectly fine, my doctor told me to only wake her for a feeding if she slept longer than 8 hrs. Enjoy her sleeping all night because once she starts teething she will wake up every 2 to 3 hours(at least thats what mine is doing right now) Congrats and Good Luck!

Answer 9

i agree with the fact that as long as your baby is feeding throughout the day and gaining weight be grateful for the rest you get
my little girl now 6 weeks did a 6 hour seep stretch for the first week or so, the other problem is hers was from 8 in the evening and she thought 2am onwards was playtime!!

Answer 10

All babies are different. My oldest was sleeping through the night by the time he was 4 weeks old and my youngest was up every hour on the hour. As long as she is eating and seems healthy I wouldn't worry about it.