Newborn Feeding

Updated on January 29, 2007
J.D. asks from Fort Worth, TX
12 answers

Thank you to all who replied to the excercise question, now time for a new one. Settle a debate for me ladies! When it comes to newborns and feeding, is it best to wake them up every 3 hours (she's formula fed) thru out the nite to feed or can you let them sleep and feed them upon their request?

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M.W.

answers from Dallas on

J.,
With formula fed babies you can let them sleep through the night as long as she is eating well when she is awake and gaining weight, not spitting up, etc... Feed on demand is fine as long as she is asking for the bottle regularly, also. Hope this helps.
M.

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J.

answers from Dallas on

I agree with the other mom. Unless your baby sleeps for more than 5 hours let her sleep. You will need all the sleep you can get. There may be nights when she doesn't want to sleep at all and you will need your strenght.

Bless you for haveing a baby that wants to sleep.

J.

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A.T.

answers from Little Rock on

Let her sleep. She knows when she is hungry and will let you know if she is. From someone who has a 2 year old who STILL hates to sleep. . .If she will sleep DEFINATLY let her sleep! :)

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J.

answers from Dallas on

Never wake a sleeping baby! Let her sleep unless she is under weight or a preemie. Bless you that she is sleeping!!

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T.D.

answers from Dallas on

I am a mother of 3 healthy children. My policy has always been to feed them on demand. Babies will tell you when they're hungry. I've always felt that if they didn't need the sleep, they would wake up on their own.

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M.

answers from Dallas on

When my son was born, they told me to wake him every three hours. And he was in the NICU for a week (not related to weight or other feeding issues) and they woke him every 3 hours. Hospital policy, I thik. But next time I have a baby, I won't be waking him every 3 hours!! Like someone else said, you probably wouldn't want to go more than 5 hours. And I think that more frequent feedings of newborns are related to less jaundice, or something like that. So if your baby wakes up to eat, then just let her sleep. But if she just sleeps and sleeps and sleeps, you might want to ask yoru pediatrician about waking her up.

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S.

answers from Dallas on

I believe if she is formula feed you can let her sleep but if she is breastfeed than to wake her. That was the advice from our pediatrician. Good luck

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A.L.

answers from Dallas on

I agree with the other moms here, let her sleep. While I was in the hospital when my 6 month old son was born, they would wake me to feed him every three hours if he hadn't awoke already (he is also formula feed). When I got home with him, we just feed him on demand. You get more rest this way and the baby will let you know when she is hungry. She will get herself onto a schedule that works for her as she gets older.

Good Luck and Congrats!

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A.B.

answers from Dallas on

Let her sleep. I was told to wake my son up every three hours until he was 3 months to feed. After that I tried to let him sleep but he was in such a routine of getting up every three hours that now he won't sleep through the night and he is 8 months old. He wakes twice in the middle of the night, not because he is hungry, but because he was so used to waking up. He will be up for 30-45 minutes and then he will go back to sleep.

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K.W.

answers from Dallas on

Lots of good advice here, just adding my 2 cents, in the first 2 weeks of life, it is good not to let a baby sleep longer than 5 hours at night because the glucose levels can get too low. By 14 days or about 2 weeks babies get better at self regulation and will wake you when they are hungry. A great way to teach babies to sleep is to feed more often during the daytime and let them sleep until they wake hungry at night. This is actually true for formula and breast babies. The difference is frequency. As long as there are no pre existing conditions that your pediatrician has discussed with you already. Remember that smaller and more frequent daytime feedings lead to less reflux and regurgitation issues.

good luck
K. @ The Nestingplace

L.A.

answers from Dallas on

Feeding a baby on schedule is not a good idea, unless the baby has health issues and the doctor recommends it! Let her sleep, and you will be thankful!!

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C.D.

answers from Dallas on

I say no way to waking every 3 hours..maybe sleeping no longer than 5 hours for the first 2 weeks.Ofcourse this was my advice for breastfeed babies..I think the every 5 hour was more for moms milk supply.
Ofcourse this would not apply if your baby had a medical or weight issue.
My hospital has never told me every 3 hours at night.
just my opinion
I say enjoy if she sleeps all night!!!

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