techniques/tips for waking LO up in order to feed?

CHS2005 · April 2014

Any unusual or unique tips for waking LO to feed? LO is 2 wks, 2 days. We are under pedi's instruction to wake and eat every two hours (not gaining weight :-/ ). Dr suggested undressing him and using a cold, wet, wash cloth but sometimes it's still really hard to wake him. Anything different to try? TIA

(excuse the ticker - its completely incorrect and I cannot seem to get it fixed)

Tracymunoz8 · April 2014

Sounds like you have a good little sleeper!

Sounds like you have some good tips! try touching their feet and gently blowing in their face. It's hard to wake up a little one but he's needs to put some lbs on!!!

Good Luck!

tisunge602 · April 2014

I had a sleepy one too... definitely strip him to his diaper like you said. Tickle his cheek/side, pump his elbow up and down (my LC called this the "chicken wing"), say his name in his ear, every couple minutes I had to pull my LO off and kind of stand him up to wake him up again... hope that helps!

Beckel84 · April 2014

Stroke his cheek while feeding and blow gently on his face, make it as bright as possible.

KariB509 · April 2014

I hated doing this but it works like a charm. Several LCs have recommended/done it for me. You hold the baby and then quickly tip him backwards, like you're doing to drop him. Apparently it messes with their sense of balance (because they feel like they're falling) and always wakes them after a few times. Like I said, I hated doing it because it feels cruel but it works and LCs recommend and do it.

umma4babes · April 2014

Ditto to diaper change. I also turned in the lights and talked out loud to her.

Avion22 · April 2014

Diaper changes work for us. If he doesn't need one, then we'll do like others have said -- strip him down to just his onesie or his diaper, do skin-to-skin, tickle his belly/back/feet/armpits. He doesn't have to be TOTALLY awake to eat -- as soon as he starts making hunger cues (smacking his lips together, moving his head around looking for my breast), then it's go time :-)

flcl · April 2014

My DS was like that at two weeks! Echoing many of the PP's, we would strip him down, do a diaper change, and feed skin-to-skin while tickling his spine (that was the only place that I could tickle him and keep him awake.) If that didn't work, I would lay him down flat on his back on a "non-cozy" surface (like the changing area of the pack n play without the changing mat). GL!