Should I wake 4 week old to feed?

[Lolly W]

I could really do with some help ladies....

After 2.5 weeks of very difficult breastfeeding, I moved to formula a week and a half ago. We were put on a care plan as LO had lost over 10% of her birth weight and have been feeding her every 3 hours - waking her when necessary.

She was weighed yesterday and had gained a massive 300+g so she's now back up above her birth weight for the first time (she's 4 weeks old today). As a result, the midwife said we could relax our feeding regime. I was so happy that I didn't ask specifically what this meant and I've now been discharged by the midwife so can't ask her what I should be doing.

LO is taking between 3-6 oz of Aptamil at a time but is not waking to ask for food. How long should I leave her sleep between feeds? Today, she fed at 12 midday and is still sleeping now 4 hours later. I just don't know whether to wake her or see whether she wakes herself. It's worse at night as I am setting an alarm to wake her and unsure whether I need to or not!

Any advice gratefully received - I'm so desperate to do the right thing for her but don't want to end up over or under feeding her.

 

[bathbabe]

personally, because your baby lost more than 10% i would relax the night feeding, if she sleeps thru - let her. But during the day feed every 3hrs making sure she has 6bottles a day. IYKWIM? X

 

[tu123]

personally, because your baby lost more than 10% i would relax the night feeding, if she sleeps thru - let her. But during the day feed every 3hrs making sure she has 6bottles a day. IYKWIM? X

i think this is great advice and suggest trying this. if she sleeps through the night let it happen!!!!

 

[sunshine114]

^ I agree, our LO lost a lot of weight when he was born (8% initially, then put on an ounce, then lost a whole load more!) We were waking him for about a month, and then relaxed and let him sleep. He soon let us know when he was hungry!!!

 

[honey08]

when i had morgan i use to wake him and now i wish i never as when he stopped feeding thro the night he was still waking up at 4am

just feed thro the day ur LO will soon get into a good rountine x

 

[hayley1989]

I think the other ladies are right, leave your LO through the night but during the day if she wont wake for a feed try dream feeding her xx