Do babies really sleep more when they are growing?

So, the past couple of days my ten week old babies have been sleeping more during the day (they took two almost 3 hour naps today), and everyone says "They must be going through a growth spurt." Is that just an old wives tale? I've also read that babies eat more often when they are growing, and that seems to contradict the whole sleeping more thing!! In fact because of the sleep mine have ended up eating less!

We've been on a consistent 3 hr feeding schedule since birth, but then today they both decided they wanted to nap past their feeding (if one had been awake, I would have woke the other but I wasn't about to wake both figuring they must need the sleep). So today we ended up with a 8am, 11:45, 3:30 and 6:30 feed. After the 6:30 feed we put them down to bed. So, we really missed an entire feeding today since we normally feed at 8, 11, 2, 5, 7:30. Anyways, the babies didn't seem to mind going longer and weren't acting like they were starving either - would you consider this a sign that they are ready to move to a 3.5 hr schedule? DD usually wakes up once a night around 4am, and DS is still getting up at 2x a night around 1am and 4am. I've read that keeping them on the 3 hour schedule helps them understand the difference between day/night - but mine seem to know that based on their sleep patterns. Is there any other reason to keep them on the 3 hr schedule?

Thanks!
Suzi
Mom to Karsen Raye (13yo)
Henry James & Gabriella Jean (10 wks)

 

They absolutely can be sleeping more if they are going through a growth spurt. Typically you grow the most while you sleep.

I think it is a sign that they are ready to move to a new schedule. I would let them dictate any changes to the times... they will let you know if they don't need it anymore. Good luck!

 

QUOTE(Sarah© @ Aug 10 2007, 08:56 PM) [snapback]364624[/snapback]
They absolutely can be sleeping more if they are going through a growth spurt. Typically you grow the most while you sleep.

I think it is a sign that they are ready to move to a new schedule. I would let them dictate any changes to the times... they will let you know if they don't need it anymore. Good luck!

I agree with Sarah 100%. My guys always sleep like the dead during a growth spurt. As they get older they'll want to eat their meals further apart, but make up for it by eating more at each feeding. I would just adjust to their schedule and see if that works out better for you!

 

When they are eating more frequently it's to store up for the growth spurts----that's when they sleep more. If your babies were hungry or unsatisfied, they would let you know! Sounds like you're following their cues really well!

Reyna