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Waking a sleepy feeder?

LizzieandGarLizzieandGar
in Preemies

Any suggestions on how to keep your baby awake while feeding? Today James has been sleepy at most of his feeds and while we don't mind him falling to sleep afterwards (of course) you all know how important it is for a preemie to get all of his food in and that just can't happen when he's sleeping. ?Any suggestions for keeping him awake during the feeding? We know about trying not to wake him too much before his feed, and making sure he is sleeping enough around the feed time, etc, but I'm looking for suggestions on how to wake him up and keep him alert DURING the feed.

Thanks so much!?

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Re: Waking a sleepy feeder?

  • KellyMichelleKellyMichelle
    In the NICU they had us hold DS out from us a little during feeds so that he wouldn't snuggle in and sleep.  Also we would unwrap him a little so that he didn't get to warm and get sleepy.
    Kelly, Mom to Noah 8.27.05 (born at 26 weeks)
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  • KLynKLyn
    i have a rotation of methods... ?first i stroke the cheek, then if that doesn't work i rub his head (really rub - not stroke) then if they're still sleepy, i massage an arm - that usually does the trick. ?Good luck!
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  • Whirlgirl01Whirlgirl01

    The NICU had us hold DD out away from us as well.  We also had to basically strip her down to nothing so she wouldn't be all warm and comfortable.  Sometimes, we had to wipe a cool wash cloth across her forehead to keep her awake, too. 

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  • elcamino_wifeelcamino_wife
    I just discovered a new trick today that I hope keeps working. ?I usually change his diaper before feeding him, but earlier I heard him make another dirty diaper as he was eating. ?After he fell asleep during/after the feeding, I changed him again -- taadaa, guess who was wide awake again and hungry again! ?I've basically gotten him to eat two feedings back to back several times today by changing him right after the first.
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  • EarlJenileeEarlJenilee
    Tickling toes can work really well too. I would make sure my DS was awake, then feed one side. He would usually be really sleepy after about 5 minutes, then I would change him and feed the other side (he was a guzzler though!). Changing the diaper between sides worked very well. Sometimes we would have to use the wet washcloth on him - I always felt so bad for him then!
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