Do you wake a sleeping baby? - Infant Care (up to 18 months old) Message Board

JenW67 · 07-21-2005, 12:48 PM

I have a three week old son who tends to sleep for 3 or 4 hours in the middle of the day, which is fine by me as it gives me a much needed rest.

My question may seem funny to those of you who have more experience than I do but here goes. I know that junior is filling his diaper during these power naps. I do not want to wake him up to change him. Is that ok? He doesn't have a rash and it seems not to bother him.

My intuition says do not wake a sleeping baby? Should I follow my gut?

Thanks,

Jen

siren1024 · 07-21-2005, 12:58 PM

I'd say for pee, no way. Diapers nowdays are so absorbent, it takes ALOT of pee. I stopped changing my DD at night when she was sleeping 5 hours or so at a few weeks. Hey, by the time your little junior is 2, you will actually forget to change him sometimes until you notice the diaper is practically pulling his pants down. LOL.

Poop, I would. Babies are alot more sensitive to rash from poops.

Altson · 07-21-2005, 01:58 PM

I wouldn't even change a poop. Rashes are caused by what they eat, or what you eat if your breast feeding (at this age anyway) and also by a sensitivity to what the diaper is made of in some cases. It doesn't really matter if you change it right away or if it sat on there, if they're going to be sensitive to it, they'll still get the rash.

If the baby isn't fussy, will sleep through a poop, who cares, let him sleep. I'd be jumping up and down thrilled for the long stretch of peace and quiet!!!!

worried_mommy · 07-21-2005, 06:30 PM

My general rule is, never wake a sleeping baby! If it bothers them, they will get up

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2fst · 07-21-2005, 06:34 PM

My peditricain said to only wake them up if they are taking their longest nap during the day. So if the longest stretch of sleep without them waking up is during the day, wake them up, since it should be only at night. Also, I wake my DS up during the day for a bottle if it is time to eat. But if the diaper does not bother him and he doesn't get diaper rash, let him sleep.