my two and a half week old baby got into a pattern of breastfeeding for 10 minutes and sleeping for an hour. He then wakes up crying but will only eat for another10 minutes, etc.... Any tips on how to change to more of a 30 minutes-eating/3 hour sleep pattern?
2006-12-15 03:36:33 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Breastmilk digests in about 90 minutes. A baby this age normally goes somewhere around 2 hours from the start of one feeding to the start of the next.....so a 3 hour stretch of sleep would be uncommon at this age. Also, keep in mind that his tummy is about the size of his fist.
Your baby's current pattern sounds like he has hit his 2 week growth spurt. This is a time where they will want to nurse more frequently for about 3-4 days in order to boost your supply to meet their new needs as they grow. that probably explains the hourly feedings you're having right now.
If he is falling asleep at the breast, you can try to keep him awake to nurse a bit longer at each feeding. Try undressing him, so that he's just in a diaper while feeding. Try turning the lights down or nursing in a dim room. (Babies don't like bright lights and will close their eyes to shut it out, making it easy to fall asleep.) When he starts falling asleep, try burping him and switching breasts. Try changing his diaper to stimulate him to wake up. See if you can get him to nurse a little longer that way. You can also wipe his face with a cool, damp cloth to keep him awake to eat a bit longer.
2006-12-15 03:56:25 · answer #1 · answered by momma2mingbu 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
That's so normal for that age. A newborn's stomach is the size of a golf ball and they need to eat often. The only reason formula lasts longer is because they can't digest it properly so it stays in their stomach longer. It will get better with time but for now this is what your baby needs. I remember I felt like all I did was nurse in the beginning. My daughter nursed often, too, but it took her 45 minutes. Get yourself some books or some good movies and relax and enjoy the baby- they grow so fast.
2006-12-15 12:22:37 · answer #2 · answered by AerynneC 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Try undressing him while he nurses. Nursing is not only a source of nourishment but comfort as well. If he falls asleep, tickle his unsocked feet. When you undress him, make sure he is well awake before he latches on. If it is cold for him, take a small blanket and lightly drape him so he is covered. Also, when he wakes up and cries, he may not actually be hungry, but just looking for the comfort of the breast. Try patting, rubbing or rocking him back to sleep. He may just be pacifing himself. Also, try looking at Dr. Sears website or La Leche League. Dr. Sears has wonderful info regarding breastfeeding.
2006-12-15 11:48:00 · answer #3 · answered by ssstinagail 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My daughters baby did the same thing. The nurses in the hospital suggested undressing him. You might try that. That may be all he needs to nurse right now. He will gradually take more as the days go on. I wouldn't worry too much. He will adjust his feedings and nurse more. If you are still worrying about it, can you call the lactation specialist at the hospital? My daughter had to call her several times, and she was very helpful. Good luck and enjoy that baby!
2006-12-15 17:40:39 · answer #4 · answered by jay 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He is eating all he can consume right now. Dont try to force him to eat more than he can at any given time. Breastfeeding is a supply and demand thing with babies. I know you want him to eat more so he can sleep longer, but breat milk is thinner than formula and definitely not designed to fill them up. He will nurse more and want more the older and heavier he gets. Breastfeeding mothers definitely have thing to deal with that bottle fed babies do not, but it is so much more rewarding in the bonding area.
Spoken from experience here...
2006-12-15 11:43:03 · answer #5 · answered by â¤??? ?å???? 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I had this same problem with one of mine... the only answer is to wake him up gently if he falls asleep nursing. He may not be getting enough in 10 minutes.
But also know that some babies just go through stages when they will nurse more often. Also, babies that young will nurse more often anyway. Keep it up...it will get easier!
2006-12-15 11:47:36 · answer #6 · answered by MamaMia 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you see him starting to nod off while nursing, wake him up. Not in a mean way, just tickle his foot or gently jostle him. This will keep him stimulated enough to nurse longer. However, your son might get full in a 10 minute period and there's nothing you can do. My daughter was a fast eater. She'd get her fill and be done.
2006-12-15 11:43:32 · answer #7 · answered by mommyofmegaboo 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When he starts to slow down or fell asleep, wiggle his arms or feet to wake him up. Or even undress him. Waking him back up will most likely start him eating again and get a new pattern going after a while
2006-12-15 11:40:09 · answer #8 · answered by The Invisible Woman 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
My son did the same thing I would take his socks off and play with his feet he hated it!! I also would play with him for a little while then let him sleep. Also, if you swaddle him he will sleep longer. Trust me swaddling helps, that is something I tell all of my friends who have new babies, and it works!
Don't forget to take a nap with him!!! Very important!!
2006-12-15 11:51:20 · answer #9 · answered by Ife B 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
my son did the same thing when he was that young. I used to tickle his feet in order to keep him awake because breastfeeding is very comforting to a baby and they just go right to sleep.
2006-12-15 11:41:13 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋