In a message dated 3/25/02 3:33:16 AM Pacific Standard Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:


> <Recently a patient told me that an LC instructed her to wake her full term,
> healthy newborn every 3 hrs at night to feed her. I have always told my
> patients that if the baby is feeding well during the day, there was no need
> to wake her at night. Is there a need to wake a baby at night who is feeding
> well during the day?>
>

I have a problem with telling any mother to wake her baby by the clock to
feed.  I tell the parents about feeding cues and the need to look for these
to rouse the baby for a feeding.  I also tell them that a baby needs to
breastfeed at least 8 times a day.  If the baby is feeding at least that many
times and is stooling well I reinforce to the parents that their baby is
doing well...............RELAX and enjoy your baby.
IF THE BABY IS NOT DOING WELL..............then I encourage skin-to-skin,
bring the baby into bed so it easier to hear the baby stirring, and encourage
more feedings during the day.  If the breast wake a mother and the baby is
sleeping, I advise to bring the baby to bed and express the breast for
comfort as needed.  Trying to wake a baby out of a deep sleep is both
frustrating to the mother and baby why would we want to encourage this
frustration?
Feeding babies by the clock does not work, never has worked and I would love
to see these timing issues disappear so mothers are looking at their babies
and not the clocks.
Feel like I'm on a soup box but just passationate.
Ann Perry RN,IBCLC
Boston, MA

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