Dr. Jack Newman says that if a baby is feeding well, there is no need to wake the baby to feed. And if the baby is not feeding well, our attention should be on improving that rather than waking up the baby to feed ineffectively more often. I think there are circumstances when waking a baby might make sense (for example when medications have made the baby sleepy) and I also think that some babies separated from their mother/father will cope with that stress by sleeping. So in the situation you describe (baby nurses frequently for a period of time, then has a longer sleep), I personally think the baby could be allowed to sleep. But I would also consider it important to have the baby close to the parent (in a sling or bedsharing or sleeping in someone's arms) so that early hunger signs can be picked up and so that the baby feels secure.  
Teresa Pitman

      
   

             ***********************************************

Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html
To reach list owners: [log in to unmask]
Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask]
COMMANDS:
1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail
2. To start it again: set lactnet mail
3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome