when to skip feedings in middle of the night

Hello everyone! I have a quick question. . . I have twin girls that are 5 weeks old. They were born early at 33 1/2 weeks and stayed in the hospital for 3 weeks as growers and feeders. My question is, when do you let them sleep through the night without waking them for a feeding unless they get up on their own? Our current feeding schedule is every four hours even through the night. Any advice or suggestions would be great.

Thanks,
Jen

 

Since they were early, I would ask the ped. Hannah(my 2nd) was born at 35 weeks and came home from the NICU on a strict 3 hour schedule, that we followed for the first 6 weeks. She was having weight gain issues in the beginning.

 

I think our ped said we could let them sleep when they reached a certain weight. I can't remember the exact weight . . . somewhere between 6-8 lbs. I would call the ped. and see what they recommends.

 

I htink they have to be at least 4 months old... but ask yoru Dr.

Teri

 

QUOTE
Since they were early, I would ask the ped. Hannah(my 2nd) was born at 35 weeks and came home from the NICU on a strict 3 hour schedule, that we followed for the first 6 weeks.


Ditto.

My pedi said for the first 3 months, you want them to eat during the night. After that, letting them sleep through the night without a feeding is fine.

 

I'd ask your pedi, too. Our little guys were early as well and the doctor wanted us to wait until they were eating enough during the day to start skip feedings at night. Now that they weigh enough, we're down to one feeding at night, and if they sleep long enough, we only give them a little bit to eat so it doesn't screw up the morning feeding.

 

If I remember correctly, they are allowed to go 4 -5 hours when they are 6 pounds, 5 - 6 hours when they are 7 pound, and when they are 10 pounds they are allowed no feedings during the night. Ours were also born at 33 weeks, and were in the NICU for 3 weeks, where they were fed every 3 hours day and night. When they came home we fed them every 3 hours day and night for a couple of nights, then we let them go every 4 hours for a few nights, we were so tired that after about 1.5 weeks we let them go. They went 5 hours and then every 4 on their own.

 

Thanks so much! We go to the ped today so I will ask her as well.

Jen