Need help- sleepy newborn and BF

slwprincess · December 2010

I should know this already but I can't think straight. I can't believe I'm complaining but my baby is sleeping too much!!! I can't get her to stay awake long enough to finish a feeding. And last night... we even set alarms to wake her to feed and still couldn't get a good solid feed in her. Finally this morning I did get her to stay awake long enough to take both breasts and an ounce of formula. But seriously, I don't want to go back to the pedi next week and have him tell us that we have to supplement MORE so what do I do? Also, I'm still worried about my supply. If she's not eating, it's not there, right? So do I just go pump even if she's just eaten or if I know she will want to eat? I'm at the point of just wanting to have someone here to tell me what to do and when to do it. Like a BF drill sergeant. Just so that I can stop overthinking it!

war_eagle · December 2010

I fought this battle too. I would do everything I could to keep him awake to get a full feeding. Stripping him down, changing his diaper...we got through it. I wish I remembered something that worked great.

smynings_bride · December 2010

The LC's had me strip her down to her diaper and take cold paper towels and put them on her belly, feet and/or head to get her to wake/stay up. Also, to say her name very loudly "Harlie wake up."

They had me pumping after every nursing session to stimulate my supply and to help me make enough to supplement after each session.

MrsKLB · December 2010

We had problems keeping Brady awake to eat initially, too. LC's told us the same thing as pp, which is to strip him down (this was summer so maybe in the winter you won't strip her completely) and use a cold/wet rag on his cheeks, back, or whatever it took to keep him awake. We would also tickle him and play with his feet and hands. This is a good job for DH, by the way (of course you have a toddler that DH needs to deal with, too!). Anyway, just hang in there. She is only a week old and I think the sleepy all the time thing wears off soon.

As for supply, if you are concerned about having low supply then yes, you should pump after at least some of the nursing sessions. I wouldn't stress too much over pumping every time or anything but even if you just do it once or twice a day your body will think she is eating more than she actually is and hopefully be able to keep up once she does start eating more.

I know it's so hard but just try to relax and know that she is getting what she needs. You are doing great!

ascbride · December 2010

my lactation concultant had me two different things, raise her arm up and down when she starts to doze off and if she falls completley asleep do baby sit ups, tilt her torso/head gently up and down while she is resting in your lap. sorry this post isnt "neat" trying to pump and type.

Kerrin · December 2010

Ava was like this. Our pedi said to strip her down for every feeding. It's a PITA, but whatever helps. Flick the bottoms of her feet, poke her, nudge her, don't let her get too snuggly and comfy.

If that doesn't work, and this will sound terrible, but was recommended to us: Keep a COLD wet washcloth near your when nursing. When she drifts off, place it on her long enough to get her attention. She may get upset and cry a bit, but she's also up and you can continue nursing her.

susangilchrist · December 2010

I got really good at the "bewbie jiggle." I'd use my hand to gently unlatch her and she'd wake up enough to nurse a little more. In those early days, I felt like I was constantly wiggling the girls! My hubby and I would also turn on the lights, talk really loud, etc. while I was nursing at night if she was sleeping through nursing. Good luck! Those days will soon be over.

leslienpete · December 2010

Everyone gave great tips about getting her to wake up. I would definitley bump up the pumping. Pump after she eats to get your supply up. You can always deal with oversupply issues later. Good luck!

hthomas02 · December 2010

in addition to the feet flicking and other things others mentioned, I would also like do a vulcan death grip thing on their necks....obviously not death grip but like pinch in their clavicle neck area. worked every damn time.

susangilchrist · December 2010

hthomas02:
in addition to the feet flicking and other things others mentioned, I would also like do a vulcan death grip thing on their necks....obviously not death grip but like pinch in their clavicle neck area. worked every damn time.

Haha!!! I'm cracking up imagining this one!

hthomas02 · December 2010

susangilchrist:

hthomas02:
in addition to the feet flicking and other things others mentioned, I would also like do a vulcan death grip thing on their necks....obviously not death grip but like pinch in their clavicle neck area. worked every damn time.

Haha!!! I'm cracking up imagining this one!

remote_girl · December 2010

everyone gave great tips above - we did the cold wash cloth thing, tickling feet, stroking the cheek, baby sit ups, and i would run my knuckles over his spine gently to get him up and eating....

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