Breastfeeding question re: my 1 week old baby

periwnkl10 · June 2011

Hi ladies! I have a question about BFing. I know I could post on the BFing board but everyone here is much more helpful. TIA for any advice/help!

DS was born last Sunday at 36w4d. He weighed 5lbs and only lost a few ounces in the hospital. This week he got back up to his birthweight and our pedi was very happy with his progress. I am a little concerned because while he does great with latching/feeding in general, he cannot seem to get into a good feeding schedule. I am literally feeding him almost every hour right now based on his cues. He will only eat for approximately 10 minutes at a time, then he passes out! I've been trying to stretch the schedule out so that I'm only feeding him every 2-3 hours, but even when I do that he will only feed for 15 min. max before falling asleep.

Is this ok? I know he was born early and is a little guy, so I know he won't have the same schedule as a full term newborn right now. Is there anything else I can do to try to get him to eat longer at each feeding?? Should I just continue to feed him whenever he shows signs of hunger? I just want to make sure I'm not doing something wrong! I'd hate for him to get in the habit of eating every hour. We both need a little sleep in between there

Thanks so much!

muppet.fan · June 2011

Congrats on your new baby! I'd continue feeding him whenever he shows signs of being hungry. His stomach is so tiny right now, so it doesn't take him very long to fill it up. But he's also going to be hungry often since it doesn't hold much yet and breast milk is so easy to digest. Plus, he's helping you build a good supply. Hang in there, you're doing great!

KYRN · June 2011

Congrats on the new edition. Sounds like you are doing great, the only other suggestion I have would be trying things to keep him awake during a feeding (undressing, cold wash cloth etc). If he's warm and snuggly he'll be likely to fall asleep instead of taking a full feeding.

swgal · June 2011

Congrats! I would definitely just feed him when he seems hungry. He might be going through a little growth spurt. They say there is one around two weeks but my daughter definitely seemed to hit hers a week early and I clearly remember her nursing every hour during the day at that time. I did get a bit of a break at night. I hope you do too. He won't develop bad habits at this stage. Don't worry about that. If you want to try to keep him awake a little long to eat a bit more try stripping him down to nurse him, rubbing his lips or cheeks, change his diaper etc.

Breastfeeding is hard work. You are doing great! Keep up the awesome work, and grab a nap whenever you can. Everything else can wait. If nothing else, remember that good rest for you can help your supply. I suggest to any friends who breastfeed to try to learn to nurse lying down. It absolutely helps with the exhaustion level if you are able to relax and lie down.

qtpa2t · June 2011

What you've described is totally normal - and I had a full-term newborn. Every baby is different. It's way to early to try to get on any sort of schedule. Feed on demand! I know it's hard, but it will be well worth it in the end. Good for you that he got back to his birthweight so quickly! Mine took much longer.

periwnkl10 · June 2011

Woohoo! Thanks ladies! You made me feel so much better and gave me a boost of confidence

I will definitely keep feeding on demand. Whatever this little guy needs

Dochas · June 2011

Congratulations!!! There is no schedule for breastfeeding a newborn. You do have to just nurse as often as he wants. If you think it's that he's falling asleep very quickly you might want to keep waking him. My son would do that early on. Sometimes we even had to put a wet washcloth on him to keep him awake. It was rough in the beginning.

Breastfeeding is really hard. I didn't think I would last. But we made each tiny goal and we're still going at 10 months and I can tell you - this is the greatest thing I'll ever do.

m&m2006 · June 2011

congratulations, and you are doing a wonderful job!! definitely follow his cues and feed when he is hungry. when i was nursing DD during the first few weeks, i would have to get her down to her diaper and tickle her hands and feet to get her to stay awake long enough to nurse. hope that helps!!

Mouseygail · June 2011

congratulations!!! What you are going through right now sounds completely normal to me! I fed on demand at first, and felt like I was feeding him nonstop...but eventually he settled into a schedule and was able to go longer between. Keep in mind that there are at least 3 growth spurts during the first six weeks, so that is a lot of days of even more nursing than normal!

dusk42 · June 2011

We used to nurse, then DH would change her diaper, then she would nurse again. But definitely keep nursing on demand, and you can also try nursing propped up in bed with your DH awake watching the baby and you can close your eyes and even doze off.

ESTH2000 · June 2011

Congratulations, mommy! Sounds like you are doing an amazing job! The fact that he gained weight is huge, so I wouldn't change what you are doing.

I agree with above posts. Keep following his cues and just nurse on demand. It is the best way to establish good supply.

I also really loved nursing while laying down. If you are comfortable doing so, try it!

www.kellymom.com was a great resource to me while learning the ropes..oh and of course this board too!!!

Keep up the great job!!

CJ71903 · June 2011

KYRN:
Congrats on the new edition. Sounds like you are doing great, the only other suggestion I have would be trying things to keep him awake during a feeding (undressing, cold wash cloth etc). If he's warm and snuggly he'll be likely to fall asleep instead of taking a full feeding.

This. Your post brings back memories for me! My babies used to fall asleep all the time while I nursed them when they were first born. It's such hard work, but you're doing a great job! It gets better - hang in there!

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