I have a 5 week old baby and he finally is on a formula that he can keep down. He has gained 1pound 2 ounces in a week after not gaining weight due to him getting sick from the formula. He usually drinks 3 to 4 oz in 2 to 3 hours. Last night he drank 10 oz in 3 1/2 hours, yes 10 oz. He didn't get sick he just wanted more. Then he slept from 11 til 5:30, which he has never done. So my question is do infants sleep more when they are going through a growth spurt?? Sorry so long winded :) Thanks for any info.
2007-01-24 04:41:57 · 17 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
He was 6lb 3oz when he left the hospital. He only gained 15 oz in 3 weeks, until I took him off soy and put him on Enfamil AR. That is when he gained weight. He only weighs 8lbs 4 oz now.
2007-01-24 05:11:41 · update #1
Yes they *may* sleep more when growing.
Also, and I only breastfeed so I can only tell you what some breastfed babies do (and what some moms try to encourage). Some breastfed babies feed ever 1 hour more often during the 2-4 hours before bed to "top up" so they can sleep longer.
Personally mine just eats constantly, but that's the way he is.
At around 6 weeks it is considered safe to let them go 6 hours without food. But with weight gain issues you may want to discuss this with your doctor, or weigh them more often. Most docs or clinics don't mind if you drop in once a week for a weight check if you have a concern.
Best of luck.
2007-01-24 04:46:40 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes they eat and sleep more during a growth spurt... and not just infants. My 5 year old did this all through his infancy and still to this day! Around Christmas he grew an entire inch and I swear to god could have easily eaten us out of house and home should it not have been the holidays! LOL. He's a lean 47inches tall now weighting 63lbs. He's always been a big boy, well above the percentile scales so maybe his growth spurts are a little more exagerated then your "normal" infant, toddler, kid growth spurts, but he still did the same thing.... eats tons then sleeps tons.
I hope this helps!
2007-01-24 04:47:11 · answer #2 · answered by Gig 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My last son started sleeping through the night after we changed his formula. He can't have anything that has milk or soy in it. They told us the reason he was sleeping through the night and so hungry was because he wasn't getting enough to eat before and he was making up for that. The growth spurt thing is they eat more but alot of time, they want to eat all the time.
2007-01-24 04:48:05 · answer #3 · answered by nikki 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well now that he's not hungry at night, he will sleep better and longer. Drinking more formula meant he didn't get as hungry as quickly as he usually does, so he was able to sleep longer. All that AND no tummy aches to keep him awake. He probably loved it!
As for the growth spurt, yes I think they probably do sleep a little more then, but I'm not really sure.
2007-01-24 04:46:25 · answer #4 · answered by brown_iyed_grrl 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, he will 'sleep more' because he's now on a 'good formula' after having had 'digestive problems' before ... but BE CAREFUL about how much you are feeding him. I know that you want him to 'gain weight' but at only 5 weeks, I'm thinking that gaining 1 lb. 2 oz. is WAY TOO MUCH. Talk to your doctor about the weight gain to be sure you're not going to make him 'fat' by giving him way too much for his size now. Also, yes, babies DO also sleep 'more' when they're in a 'growth spurt' ... but growing fast also can 'hurt' in their bones, so he may also be 'extra fussy.'
2007-01-24 04:57:27 · answer #5 · answered by Kris L 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
They sleep longer when their tummies are full. And yes they sleep longer when they hit growth spurts, too. Be grateful that he is eating well and sleeping so well. It's a very good thing for him and for YOU, the sleep deprived Mommy! And if I were you I would be careful who you tell that he's sleeping so well, lots of parents don't want to hear it. Some toddlers aren't sleeping that long! Keep up the good work, sounds like he's doing very well.
2007-01-24 04:52:41 · answer #6 · answered by wwhrd 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My mother-in-law always preaches to me about that kind of stuff. She tells me that they will sleep alot when going through a growth spurt, they will eat a whole lot when going through a growth spurt, then after they might not have much of an appetite. So I'm sure that everything is fine.
2007-01-24 04:49:20 · answer #7 · answered by Kristin R 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes!
My 10 month old would eat like a pig for a week. Then that next week he'd sleep like a baby. Also, my son started to sleep through the night at six weeks. So, it could be your son's time. Perhaps, his biggest problem was he wasn't getting a full belly, and that was inhibiting him from developing a good sleeping pattern.
2007-01-24 04:46:40 · answer #8 · answered by Baby #3 due 10/13/09 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Congrats on making your son healthier.
Anyway, my daughter has slept better (and ate better) during her growth spurts. I think their bodies are just so tired from growing it makes them more tired (i know that sounds weird, but it's true.) The are just exhausted. Also, having a full tummy helps too! Just be careful not to overfeed him because that could upset his tummy and make it harder for him to sleep because he is uncomfortable.
Take care and good luck
2007-01-24 04:58:24 · answer #9 · answered by mommymelissa 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They sure do. It seems like all they do is eat and sleep. At least thats what my son does whenever he goes thru a growth spurt. He is now 5 months old
2007-01-24 04:46:39 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋