Baby Falling Asleep During Breast Feeding

Boldizar · April 2014

I'm wondering if anyone else is having this problem. My newborn falls asleep while I am breastfeeding him and I just can't wake him up, Ive tried everything. Sometimes he stays awake but then he's not hungry anymore. So at most I get 5-6 minutes a side, and Im only doing one side at a time. This is making me have to pump so I don't explode. When pumping I average 3oz - 4oz for 5 minutes of pumping, Is that normal or a lot? I keep having the question of how much is he getting out of me. I know when he pulls away it ends up making a mess because it just keeps coming out. All this diapers are normal and his activity for a newborn is normal I think.

Does anyone have advise or experience with this?

musicalsilver · April 2014

What all have you tried to keep LO awake?

I had a similar issue with my LO, but I feel like he grew out of it within a week or so. I didn't have to pump though - and that does sound like a lot of milk to be pumping after a feed. I'd only pump just enough to relieve pressure, you don't want to create an oversupply problem.

Strip baby down to their diaper, try a wet washcloth, tickling their feet,etc. Stroking their cheek or along their jawline sometimes helps rouse them enough to remember they should be swallowing. Good luck!

flcl · April 2014

I had the same problem with DS when he was 2-3 weeks old. Like PP mentioned, I only pumped to relieve pressure since I was already having supply problems. It was so difficult to keep him awake!! I would tickle his feet, wipe his face with a cold wash cloth, tickle his cheek and no matter what he would fall asleep after 4-5 mins. What would work SOMEtimes was we would strip him down, change his diaper and feed skin-on-skin while tickling his spine. If all of that didn't work, I would put him down flat on his back on a cool surface (I hated that!) Thankfully, DS also had good diapers, was gaining weight and grew out of this in a week or so. GL!!

Boldizar · April 2014

Ive tried all the things you mentioned above and all the different hold positions. His latch is good and he is swallowing good, its just the amount of time he spends on each side.

I dont pump after I breastfeed, I do either or. Really depends on if Im sore or really tired then my husband helps out.

I'm glad to hear they grew out of it. He is 2 weeks old right now so hopefully soon he will too.

Lhageme85 · April 2014

We went through a phase where she was only eating 5-7 minutes on a side around then too. Is your LO gaining weight? My pedi said if diapers are ok once she was over birthweight it was ok to let her decide how long to eat. She is still a pretty efficient eater at 3 months.

And I would only pump as much as LO is eating if you are replacing feeds. That amount sounds like a lot for so early on and as PP said, you don't want to create an oversupply.

Keep up the good work! It does get easier!

babym6705 · April 2014

I'm glad to hear other 2-3 weekers are doing this. My LO is 2 wks and just started doing this. He eats for 5-8 minutes and then falls asleep. I have tried everything above too and he just refuses to wake up, lol. I really hope this is just a phase and that it passes soon. It has me a little worried too.

Meg&Austin · May 2014

you definitely are not alone my little one is the exact same way I do everything to get her to stay awake I believe she is now used to me tickling her feet and stripping her down and rubbing my hands all over her that I think she's starting to like it now I'm even later on the leather couch while it was chilly and she was naked and she just doesn't care. We are getting 10 minutes one side and sometimes 7 to 10 on the other side. It worries me but at least I know she is gaining some weight

I am so glad to hear we are not alone!

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