sleeping?

[catgrl1972]

Was wondering if premature babies sleep more than full term babies? I think I already know the answer, but it just seems that my little Ben just eats and sleeps. He was born at 34 weeks and is now 5 weeks old. Next Monday would have been my due date. He occasionally is awake, but just seems like all he does is sleep! Is this unusual? Should I be concerned?

[kara]

It's pretty usual for preemies to sleep alot. They are still developing things that full termers had already developed before they were born. In addition, they are trying to grow, and every little thing uses energy and calories they don't necessarily have, so they make up for it by sleeping. As long as you are waking him to eat on the schedule set forth by the pedi or nicu, you should be good. Probably every 3 to 4 hours he eats, right?

[patty]

Yes that has been my experience. Don't be surprised if around your due date or shortly there after your baby will "wake up" and be more alert and spend more hours awake.

[catgrl1972]

I think someone told me that around his due date he would be more awake. He pretty much eats around every 3-4 hrs. We are upt to 3-3 1/2 oz at each feeding. Over night he goes a little longer for sleeping between feeds, but because he is gaining (was 7lbs 6oz on Monday) I am not being as neurotic about getting up right on the clock, I let him wake me up, and he pretty much does. Probably gets up once during the night. It just about falls around 4-5 hrs between feedings during the night. Guess I am not use to all the sleeping compared to my other two boys. I will have to see if he is more awake since Monday is my original due date. Thanks for your responses! :)

[joker]

That sounds about right. Alison was born at 34 weeks and I tell everyone that she slept the first 8 weeks of her life away. She became more alert around 8 weeks.