This is an issue I struggle with. I meet lots of babies who sleep through
the nigth very early. Appearantly without any problems. But I know this is
caused by the unconsciously pushed schedules. These women say they feed on
demand, but are actually postponing feeds, by letting suck their babies on
their fingers or pacifiers. This is culturally very strongly encouraged
behaviour. When the mother has a very good milk supply, and a large storgae
capacity, these babies very soon after birth are getting used to very full
stomachs, and an "self choosen" schedule of feeding every 4 hours, sleep
through the nigth. This goes well, until 3 or 4 months postpartum. Then the
baby drops on the weigth chart. (even when considered the special growth of
bf babies). Usually the mothers quits breastfeeding at this point. If the
mother continues breastfeeding, the baby is demanding more and more
feedings, and also several times at nigth. I've seen many babies who nurse
more and more and more, driving the mothers craxy, since they are used to
feeding every 4 hours and thinking their supply is down.
Its difficult to counsel these women, and reassure them everything is okay,
without telling them the newborn pattern wasn't that desirable.
regarding hypoglycaemia, maybe you could find something in the WHO paper on
this issue: http://www.who.int/chd/pub/imci/bf/hypoglyc/hypoclyc.htm
The Australian Lactation Recource Centre had an article about hypoglycaemia
last year . It summarized several research. It also cited a research that
found that in normal healthy breastfed babies, there is no risk for
excessive low sugar levels when the baby has a prolonged interval between
feeds, up to 8 hours.
Neonatal hypoglycaemia and breastfeeding;
Katrina Dorrough RN, B Nurs, Dip Health Sci (Nursing), NMAA Counsellor.
Topics in Breastfeeding, Set X July 1998, Lactation Resource Centre.
Annelies Bon
bf counsellor of the Dutch bf organization "Borstvoeding Natuurlijk"
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