Having a hard time getting baby to eat enough

mcnava · May 2014

I'm having a hard time getting my baby to eat often enough. He goes 4 or 5 hours without eating and then If I try to wake him up to feed him, he'll fall asleep while eating. He'll have one like 2 hour stretch in the day where he just eats constantly and usually around midnight he has a good size meal. I'm really worried about him. Any advice on getting him to eat more?

alyssajanell5 · May 2014

Mines a sleeper too. I find stripping him to just his diaper and also changing it wakes him up enough.

mcnava · May 2014

that will wake him up, but when I try to feed him, he falls asleep after 5 minutes.

hbird0723 · May 2014

I agree with pp and I've also had to take a wipe or wet washcloth and just kind of rub it a little on her neck or back and she wakes up enough to start eating again. Enjoy it because she stopped going every 4 or 5 hours and now only eats for like 5-10 min and every 2 hours.

krissy3435 · May 2014

Not sure how old he is but you should put in a call to your hospitals lactation consultant and go for a visit.

haylo33 · May 2014

Is he having enough wet diapers and poops? How much weight has he lost? I would look at those signs first to see if he is getting enough

Junebug060609 · May 2014

haylo33 said:
Is he having enough wet diapers and poops? How much weight has he lost? I would look at those signs first to see if he is getting enough

This.

Also, if your baby is just days old (am mobile), them sleeping a lot and not eating much is normal. Their tummies are really tiny. Call your pedi/lc to confirm there is no underlying issue, but know this may be normal.

Both my kids were sleepy eaters. Stripping them down and wiping a damp cloth in them usually would keep them awake long enough to eat.

krissy3435 · May 2014

My friend just had a baby in Feb and she seemed fine with enough wet diapers and poops.. At the 2 month check up was alarmed to find out she was not eating enough. Only enough to survive not enough to grow. The moms milk in the meantime declined greatly because the baby wasn't eating a lot. It's been a big battle. That's why I recommend seeing an expert. If you have concerns, go see the consultant for peace of mind. That's why they are there.

mcnava · May 2014

he has an appointment on tuesday. so I can ask then.

spinsoffresonance · May 2014

I have the same problem. Pedi told me to wake up DD to make sure she eats at least every 3 hours because she hasn't been gaining weight well. I haven't found the magic trick yet, sometimes it takes me an hour just to wake her. If she's too sleepy to have a proper nursing session we supplement with pumped breast milk in a feeding tube.

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