TO WAKE OR NOT TO WAKE – That’s the question
Most parents (us included!) often face this dilemma: “It's BB’s feeding time, but she’s still sleeping, should we wake her up?”
Newborns usually sleep 2-3 hours in between feeds throughout the day and night, and this can persist for up to 6 months (some babies still wake up in the MOTN to feed after 6mo - that's perfectly normal!) However, there are times when babies sleep through their usual feeding time. So, to wake or not to wake? That’s the question.
EVERY BABY IS UNIQUE!
Your friend’s newborn may be feeding every 2 hours but that does NOT mean that you must wake your child every 2 hours to feed too. Instead, look out for the cues and signs such as mouth movement, licking of lips, or finger-sucking which usually indicate that the baby probably needs a feed.
For newborn babies, paediatricians recommend feeds every 2-3 hours to ensure a good and healthy weight gain. So if your newborn sleeps past 4 hours in the first few weeks, you may consider feeding them. Burping is also an important “activity” for small babies to help to get rid of air that babies tend to swallow during feeding. Not being burped often and swallowing too much air can make a baby spit up, or be cranky or gassy.
References:
- https://www.babybonus.msf.gov.sg/parentingresources/web/Newborn/NewbornWell-Being/NewbornSleep/Newborn_Sleep_Routines?_afrLoop=71275726973861145&_afrWindowMode=0&_afrWindowId=null#%40%3F_afrWindowId%3Dnull%26_afrLoop%3D71275726973861145%26_afrWindowMode%3D0%26_adf.ctrl-state%3D3n9wfctxt_4
- https://www.breastfeedinginsheffield.co.uk/mum-and-baby/baby-feeding-cues/
- https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/sleepnewborn.html