how long do I let him sleep?

[labmommy]

J is 3.5 months old, 3 weeks adjusted. My 9 lb 29 weeker just started skipping a feed/extending one feeding a night. His 930pm bottle seems to take him almost 5 hrs. Every other bottle throughout the day is only 3 or 3.5 tops and he screams starvation. This is all pumped breastmilk. The ped. Says to treat him like a 3.5 m old not a nicu patient and that he can sleep up to 5 or so hrs without worry. The NP at the nicu followup appt last week said hell no. She said wake him up if its been just about 4 hrs between feedings. What do we do?I know he's a size for adjusted age but when he sleeps he grows right?

 

[lozzy21]

If hes feeding well during the day id say let him sleep. You might find he will start to take slightly more at his other feeds. As-long as hes still taking the same amount over the course of the day its fine.

 

[AP]

We were told no more than 4 hours until there was continued weight gain. We waited until about 2 months adjusted before we stopped setting the alarm clock. I think it is dependent on the weight tbh. We were discharged at about 7lb something

 

[labmommy]

Thanks girls. He's been gaining well. The nicu follow up was a month after discharge. He gained just over a pound and weighed 8 lb 12 oz, even with severe reflux issues. They were very happy with everything but made me feel bad about him sleeping one feed every night. Not like I trained him to do it or something! Lol then the ped rejoices hearing about the sleep! Argh!