Wouldn't the more relevant question be whether the degree of "hypoglycemia"
that a healthy 3-wk. old might experience in a 7-hr. sleep stretch at night
be of any significance at all? If you interpret "hypoglycemia" in its
broadest sense, a measurable drop in blood sugar, sure; the baby's blood
glucose might drop some if you were monitoring it, but would that
necessarily mean anything in a healthy, full-term gaining baby? An adult's
fasting AM BG is lower, too, but that doesn't mean anything except that
probably you'll feel hungry and eat something soon. If the baby wakes &
nurses & carries on "normally", has anything dangerous happened?
The other question might be, is something worrisome going on that causes the
baby to sleep for that stretch without nursing? If the pedi were determined
for some reason we might not be aware of to be concerned about the baby,
might this be a more fruitful line of investigation than threatening the
mother with the "possibility" of "hypoglycemia", which does sound to me kind
of dire and also kind of smoke-and-mirrors.
This begins to sound to me more like a control issue (between mom/doc), or a
parent-confidence issue, than a medical one.
Cathy Bargar RN, IBCLC Ithaca NY
-----Original Message-----
From: heather [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Friday, April 30, 1999 5:25 AM
Subject: Re: Addendum - 3-week old sleeping 7 hours at night
Thanks, Cindi, for additional details.
I still do not feel there is anything overtly pathological about this
baby's behaviour, and I would counsel and support the mother and affirm
her in what she is doing in responding to her baby's needs.
This seems even more important, given the history you share with us.
I base this on the information that the baby is feeding happily, and is
growing well.
**If there was any doubt about this, or if she slept long periods at any
other time, then of course it would be different.**
Personally, I know of no research that would link hypoglycaemia to
overnight sleeping of seven hours in a normal healthy, thriving
3-weeker....but of course some may exist. The better-known research looks
at newborns - not sure about the WHO statement on it, as it is not at hand
to check. There may be something in that about older babies. It is on the
web I think.
I feel I am taking up a minority position, here, though!
But if the baby has had the usual checks (heart, responses, reflexes) and
the mother (who has 4 other children) is not suspicious of
anything.....well, I still think the chances are overwhelming the baby is
fine. Clearly, there is a case for keeping in close touch, however, with
what is happening.
Heather Welford Neil
NCT bfc Newcastle upon Tyne UK
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