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| Name: mamal | Date: Apr 22nd, 2007 12:43 PM |
| I found an article that may be helpful. Also know you are not alone. I had a sleepy baby at first as well and then it was nurse nurse nurse in no time at all. I am glad things are going well with you and you are enjoying breastfeeding. It is such a wonderful time! http://www.breastfeedingbasics .com/html/waking_a_sleepy_baby.shtml Here are some tips on how to encourage a sleepy baby to nurse: - Look for signs that he is entering a ‘light sleep cycle’. Babies cycle in and out of light and deep sleep more frequently than adults, and your efforts to wake him will be more successful if you catch him during the light sleep stage. Signs of light sleep include: rapid eye movements (REM) even though his eyes are closed; changes in facial expression; involuntary movements of arms, legs, or mouth (sucking motions). You may be unsuccessful at waking him during a deep sleep cycle, but have good results just a few minutes later if you catch him during a light sleep cycle. - Loosen or remove his coverings. Undress him down to his diaper, and get some skin-to-skin contact. Try taking a warm bath with him. - Dim the lights in the room. Newborn’s eyes are sensitive to light, and bright lights may make him want to keep his eyes closed. - Talk to him and try to make eye contact. - Hold him upright. Try the ‘doll’s eye’ technique. Remember the dolls we had as little girls who closed their eyes when you laid them down, and opened them when you sat them up? Gently bend him into sit-ups in your lap by raising his shoulders, legs, and torso, then lowering him back down. Don’t raise his legs up when he’s sitting, though – this could cause internal damage. Be gentle… - Increase stimulation. Rub his back in a circular motion from the shoulder blades down and back up; stroke his scalp in gentle but firm circles, squeeze gently in the cavity between his neck and collarbone (remember in grade school when someone wanted to get your attention, and they snuck up from behind and grabbed your shoulder-blade? Remember how you jumped out of your chair? This is effective, but do it gently); rub his hands or feet by applying pressure with your thumb (your partner can do this while you are nursing to help keep him stimulated); walk your fingers up his spine; move his arms and legs in a bicycling motion, play pat-a-cake; or circle his lips with your fingertip. Keep talking to him and trying to establish eye contact. - Change his diaper and burp him before offering the other breast. Most newborns hate this, and it may make him mad enough to wake up and nurse. Try switching breasts as soon as his sucking slows down, even if it has only been a few minutes. Then go back to the other breast and let him fall asleep on that side if he wants to. - Wipe his face with a cool, damp cloth. - Try nursing in the football hold rather than the cradle hold. Babies cuddled in the cradle hold tend to fall asleep more readily. - Support your breast while nursing so the weight of it isn’t on the baby’s chin. - Express milk onto his lips or dribble milk into his mouth with a dropper or syringe to keep him swallowing while feeding ↑ |
| Name: Angelcecilia2 | Date: Apr 22nd, 2007 3:32 PM |
| Thanks mamal! Those are definitely great hints to keep in mind! I've found she's actually less sleepy at night, so at least she's eating well when I'm more likely to be frustrated. I've also relaxed a little about how long I think she needs to eat ... I was worried she wasn't getting enough because she wouldn't nurse long at all, but the wet/dirty diapers meet and surpass what the hosp told me to watch for, so she must be doing well! ↑ |
