#asktheexpert
my baby is 2 months old. at night she refuses to drink milk and falls asleep around 1 am. then she sleeps till 5 am or 6 am unless we interrupt her for feed. how long gap we can give in between two feed? is it ok to let her sleep and feed her when she asks for?

Question

#asktheexpert 
my baby is 2 months old. at night she refuses to drink milk and falls asleep around 1 am. then she sleeps till 5 am or 6 am unless we interrupt her for feed. how long gap we can give in between two feed? is it ok to let her sleep and feed her when she asks for?

Accepted Answer

It sounds like your 2-month-old baby is starting to establish a sleep routine, and it's not uncommon for babies this age to begin sleeping for longer stretches at night. However, it's important to make sure she's getting enough nourishment, especially during the night, as feeding is crucial for her growth and development.

Things to Consider:

Sleep Patterns at 2 Months:
At 2 months, many babies can sleep for longer stretches of about 4-6 hours at night, but they still need to feed at least every 3-4 hours to ensure proper growth.

Feeding Refusal:
If your baby refuses to drink milk at night, it could be due to a few reasons:

Overtiredness: If she's staying up later than usual, she might be overtired, making it harder for her to settle into a feed. Growth Spurts: Babies often go through growth spurts around 6-8 weeks, which can make them sleepy and sometimes less interested in feeding. Comfort Feeding: She might prefer sucking for comfort, and if she's too relaxed, she may not feel like eating.

Encourage Night Feeding:
If she's sleeping for long stretches (like from 1 AM to 5 or 6 AM), you might want to gently wake her up for a feed during the night, especially in the early morning hours. This ensures she's getting enough nourishment.

Sleep-Feed Balance:
If she’s sleeping well from 1 AM to 5-6 AM, try to gradually adjust her sleep routine so that she’s still feeding adequately, possibly offering a dream feed (feeding her while she’s still mostly asleep) around 10 PM-12 AM to top up her night’s nutrition.

Monitor Wet Diapers:
Make sure she’s having enough wet diapers (at least 6-8 wet diapers per day) and that she seems happy and well-fed during her awake times. If she’s meeting these milestones, her sleep schedule might just be adjusting to her developmental stage.

When to Contact a Doctor: If your baby seems unusually sleepy, losing weight, or if you notice any feeding issues or signs of dehydration (fewer wet diapers or lethargy), it’s best to consult your pediatrician.

While her sleep schedule is evolving, it’s essential to ensure that she’s feeding well during the day and getting enough milk for proper growth and development.

#asktheexpert my baby is 2 months old. at night she refuses to drink milk and falls asleep around 1 am. then she sleeps till 5 am or 6 am unless we interrupt her for feed. how long gap we can give in between two feed? is it ok to let her sleep and feed her when she asks for?