My 2-week old consistently falls asleep while nursing, which I can expect since she's so young and nursing is soothing. The only problem is I can only feed her on one side before she falls asleep, and even then I'm not sure she gets enough before she's up again. (I'm also trying to avoid grazing). I have read to try and feed on both sides each feeding, although feeding on one side each time is also beneficial, but I want to try teaching her to sleep longer at night and stay awake more during the day. I'd like to keep her full so that I can achieve this, but I cannot figure out how to keep her awake or wake her gently after nursing. Changing her diaper between breasts sometimes helps, but not always. Any other tips to offer? Thanks Moms!
I had the same thing with my son and i was told to get him naked while doing it and or a cold wash cloth. Just wipe the cheek with it or rub the back gently. Give it a try. Good luck.
It's more important for her to get the calorie rich hind milk in one breast than nurse a little on each side, that will actually lead to engorgement. At two weeks, she can't hold more than a few tablespoons of milk in her tummy, so the hind milk is really important.
You can't train a baby this young, you have to follow her cues, and yes, you will be up a lot during the night, but that's just the way it's going to be. Very few babies sleep through the night at this age. It takes 8-12 weeks to get into a nursing schedule, until then, the baby is growing so fast, you have to feed her on demand, soon you will be able to tell the difference in her cries she will sound different when she is wet vs. when she is hungry. Grazing typically doesn't happen with babies this young, it happens when they are older and distracted by other things around them. When that happens, you help them focus more on you, with a nursing necklace or something to hold in their hand while nursing.
As for keeping her awake, try nursing her while she's naked except for a diaper. Stroke her back and feet. Pull her off the breast and put her on your shoulder and pat and rub her back to burp her. Other than that, you may just have to wait this phase out.
None of my kids slept though the night until after a year old, and they all woke every two hours until about 4mo to eat and be changed. Follow your babies cues, and read the Womanly Art of Breastfeeding. That book helped me so much. Dr. Sears is also a great resource for infant feeding and sleeping schedules.
Don't worry about switching breasts. The hind-milk is very important for them. I would just try to keep track so that at each feeding, you start with the "other" one than what was nursed at the previous feeding (a clothespin on your shirt on one side, or putting a burp cloth on one side of the chair you use or something can help you remember---those night feedings it's easy to forget)...
Any time I tried to switch breasts during a feeding just "because" my child refused to relatch on the other side. If they emptied a breast, they willingly switched and let me know by letting go and crying until I switched to the other side. :)
As for trying to keep them awake a bit more. Yes, burp often. That helps. Also, expose their feet and maybe blow on them periodically. But at 2 weeks, don't expect much just yet. In another 2 weeks, you'll be amazed at how much more aware of her world your little dear is, and she will stay awake at feedings a bit longer as well.
Enjoy!
Don't have the baby swaddled while nursing. Take her socks off and "tickle" her feet. Have her nurse and when she starts to doze, take her off the breast and move her around...try to get her attention.
My daughter was the same way and the doctor and nurses advised I make her a little uncomfortable...take her socks and blanket off so she wasn't all snuggly warm, tickle the bottom of her feet by running my finger up and down it lightly, keep lights and TV's, radios, or whatever made sound on. It did work, and once she was fed and changed she slept to her heart's content, she LOVED to sleep!
Infants/babies feed when they need to feed, and you need to feed them when they need to feed.
It is for their optimum development.
Babies also "cluster feed" and this means they will need to feed and get hungry every single hour. This is normal. You need to feed at these times.
she is not grazing.
She is feeding and hungry.
My kids as babies had GINORMOUS appetites and woke and cluster fed and I nursed on-demand, 24/7, day and night. And they grew like weeds and were very healthy.
You cannot, sleep train a 2 week old.
This is not for their benefit.
Their tummies are very small. And breastmilk metabolizes quickly.
You cannot control, how long you keep her full. You need to feed her when hungry.
This is how a baby/infant is. At least for the 1st year.
A baby falls asleep, when full.
If anything, you can see a Lactation Consultant and ask them.
Honestly? I wouldn't be worried about all that quite yet. She's 2 weeks old. You have plenty of time to get her on a schedule.
Feed for one minute on the first side and then switch. I would jostle mine and try to keep them occupied while nursing. Put your index finger in one of her hands and squeeze and wiggle her hand. Blow a little air on her face now and then we she seems to be dropping off. Talk to her.
I usually nurse on one side, change diaper (wakes them up) and then nurse on the other side. If they still seem somewhat asleep then I play with them a little before I bundle them all up after the change.
She also may just be full sometimes & not want or need the other side. Try to remember which side was last & start with that side the next time you nurse. You can get a bracelet or something to mark your arm as to which was the last side, cause sometimes your just too tired to remember.
Good luck nursing & congratz on the new baby!
I wasn't able to start switching breasts until my son was a month or two old. At 2 weeks, she should be eating often enough that both your breasts will empty and be stimulated to make more milk. Just switch with each feeding for now, and as she grows and nurses longer you can start to switch halfway through. I generally did 10 minutes before switching breasts. Now my son is almost 7 months he will eat 5-7 minutes on each side per feeding. Try not to stress, she's getting plenty to eat. At this point trying to get her to sleep more at night than in the daytime will just create more stress for you as a 2 week old doesn't have a normal sleep/wake cycle yet. Let her eat when she's hungry and sleep when she's tired. She'll figure it out! My son started sleeping 6 hours in a row at night around 4 weeks. Now he sleeps 9pm-8am every night with no help from me at all. I just try to avoid letting him nap past 7pm, other than that he sleeps when he wants and we are all happy!
She can sleep longer and hold more when she's a little bigger. At 12 pounds they are big enough to actually sleep "through the night", which is between 6-9 hours (mine slept for 9 hours once they hit 12 pounds.)
A cool wet wash cloth on her head, messing with her feet, taking off her clothes, and jiggling her around will help.
Congrats on the birth of your daughter!
Dawn
Talkstotrees has it down pat...I can't add a single thing to what she said!!! I would suggest that you find a breastfeeding support group to get some great tips and advice from.
Congratulations on your new little one....your life will never be the same!!!
