wake the baby?

[yjlzelik]

Hi there,

Are you supposed to wake the baby from a CN/nap to keep them on schedule? I think the answer is yes (from the books) but I get the sense from some posts that I shouldn't :S

Thanks!

[*Kara*]

Depends entirely on the mom   As a rule, I only ever wake to preserve BT.  If LO is sick, I do not wake.

[yjlzelik]

That makes sense... but if DD sleeps for lets say 2+ hours during the day when she is supposed to be sleeping for 1.5 won't that mess up the schedule??

[*Kara*]

Not as much as waking her up and having a cranky baby would mess it up

[ZacsMumme]

I think if she is consistently doing this then she may need a routine tweak, which may even mean letting her sleep longer for 1 nap but capping the other but if this is unusual I would def leave, tehee are so many reasons they need random periods of more sleep, GS, illness, teething etc. I also think it depends on your LO's age and temperament. If like me and prob Kara too then waking LO from a nap just makes for a cranky baby all day long...and when LO is taking a longer nap there is reason for it. BUT if your LO is a sleepy baby and the long naps are ruining your nights etc then you may need to look at adjusting your day and your LO's nap lengths....

Hope that makes sense

[*Kara*]

You are so right Sara - just a cranky baby is all I get out of it

Posters baby is under 3 months though - I never woke Alexandra at that age

[yjlzelik]

Well I am letting her sleep... shes been asleep for her first am nap for almost 3.5 hours!!!!! I woke her this morning at 830. I don't want her too sleep so much during the day but more at night. Last night she woke up once because her diaper leaked, and twice to eat at 240 and 620 (i fed her and she was asleep so I put her back in her crib). Right now i am still trying to get her on more of a routine. I started BW 2 nights ago. I guess she is still figuring it out? She hasn't eat since 840 and its 1. She is 11 weeks - how is this ok? :S
Thanks

[*Kara*]

As a general rule, I would wake her after 3 hours during the day... this will help her sort her days and nights... if she really needs the sleep, she will let you know.

That is a really long time between feeds at her age.. I would wake her to eat if it has been 4 hours.

[yjlzelik]

Well I did wake her, then she only nursed on one side! Then I had to run to the grocery store so she was awake for 1.5 hrs... Then I tried to put her down but she was rooting so I fed her, but of course she fell asleep. Then I tried to put her to sleep with shh/pat and it took 1hr! While I was holding a paci in her mouth! (It doesn't stay in her mouth and she usually spits it out.)
So now her schedule is all off and wacky and I am exhausted and stressed
Please tell me this is going to get better! I guess she needs alot of sleep in the am. Could I just feed her when she wakes, then put back to sleep? Or have like 20 min of A time?

[yjlzelik]

I know for her age she is supposed to be awake a bit longer but she doesn't seem to handle being awake for longer then 45 so well... she is almost 3 mo.

I really need some guidance please!!!!

[*Kara*]

She could be in the middle of the 3 month growth spurt... that would certainly make her more sleepy... At this really young age, I generally would let baby sleep unless it was making nights horrible. 

[yjlzelik]

ok thank you... she wouldnt sleep tonight but then i gave her a bottle EBM and she fell right to sleep. sounds like a growth spirt! she wanted to nurse constantly tonight too.
Thanks for your help!!!!!!!!

[*Kara*]

that's certainly a growth spurt   Cluster feeding can help with that in the evening