My baby is 4 days old and I haven't slept more than a 1/2 hour since the night before he was born. I am lucky to get a solid hour between the end of 1 feeding and the beginning of the next. When will the feedings become more far apart?
2007-03-02 23:04:21 · 15 answers · asked by ♥Lucky♥ 6 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
WHOA! I am really concerned that you might be getting some incorrect advice here. If you are breastfeeding then it is totally impossible that you are nursing a newborn excessively! If you are bottle feeding then it is highly unlikely that you are overfeeding your newborn. Babies feed in all kinds of quantities right after they are born..and almost all of them are considered NORMAL. Don't listen to anyone on here (including me!!) call your doc and if you are nursing your local chapter of La Leche League or the nurse at the hospital you delivered at will be able to point you towards immediate breastfeeding support. Relax....it DOES get easier and the feedings DO get spaced further apart. I hope that you have lots of support for yourself close by... new moms need as much care and attention as new babies. I am sure you are doing a terrific job. Now make a couple of phone calls *^ see above* and take a nap the next time the baby sleeps. Good Luck
2007-03-03 00:45:17 · answer #1 · answered by yepitsme22 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Congratulations! Welcome to the wildest ride on earth, Motherhood! It is by far the hardest and most rewarding thing you will ever do!
Your body has produced a lot of adrenaline over the past few days and it will be hard for you to 'switch off' and get to sleep even when you can..the good news is that it will pass! Also you need to let baby and you get into a good routine, and that will take a little while. You are not feeding bub too much! To feed them regularly in the first weeks is beneficial to them and your milk supply. Is your baby falling asleep during the feeds? Is that why you are only getting an hour between them? If so keep him/her awake and feeding by using a damp facecloth or tickling the toes or nuking under the chin etc..The little cherubs love to take their time but it is not doing you any good!But you can rest assured the feeds will get quicker and space out more in a few weeks! I would also suggest that you forget all but the basics in hour house and concentrate on getting the routine sorted then you can carry on being super mum when you are getting more sleep! Sleep when bubs asleep, forget the housework!Nobody expects a new mum to have a clean house for at least six months! And accept any offers of help you may get! Most people would be honoured to help!
I wish you and your new family many Blessings(and lots of sleep!)
2007-03-03 07:30:34 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Are you nursing? At this age it is usually every 2 hrs that they feed. However, you NEED to take care of yourself or you will go crazy. Pump and have your husband feed the baby once so you can get some sleep. Put yourself first right now.
With nursing, in the beginning they aren't as efficient, so they are nursing longer. In a few more week it should stretch out to every 3 hrs, and by 3-4 months you have a baby that sleeps through the night mostly.
It WILL get better, but you need to have your husband help with the feedings initially. Even if he just gets the baby, changes him, you nurse, and then he puts him back in bed or wherever he's sleeping.
If you can nurse laying down then you can doze in and off while the baby feeds.
PUT YOURSELF FIRST!
2007-03-03 07:17:12 · answer #3 · answered by avalonlee 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I know it does feel like your up all the time feeding your baby. I am still new to the whole baby thing I have a one month old baby boy. That does sound very frequent you could try what my pediatrician told me. He said try and feed your baby more at each feeding (example if you are feeding your baby 2 oz. try giving them 2 1/2 or even 3 oz.) this may help space things out a bit. I get up about every 2 hours with my baby at one month sometimes a little less sometimes a little more but I am told it gets easier. Just look at your little bundle of joy and remember why you are up...seems to help me when I look at my angel (even at 3 am lol). :) Good luck to you and if you need to talk to someone toss me an e-mail I am home all the time! krbarrett82@yahoo.com
2007-03-03 07:21:27 · answer #4 · answered by krbarrett82 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sorry, but you can not feed a 4 day old baby too much!
If you are breastfeeding every 2 hours, from start to finish, there is only about an hour!! Your little one should begin sleeping for a 2-3 hour stretch here and there. Close your eyes as soon as your baby does.
It DOES get easier. You are doing a wonderful job! Hang in there!
2007-03-03 07:15:58 · answer #5 · answered by Tracey W 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
If you breastfeeding I suggest lay down in bed with bub and both of you fall asleep together. Babies are able to drink while you sleep, its fine, they de latch once they are asleep. And can easily relatch if they wake. Just make sure baby is on top of your blanket and away from any pillows. You need your rest and so does bub. Feedings do get further apart the older they get. My kids were attached pretty much permanently for the first 6 months.
I fell asleep one day when my first was a few days old. The only problem was I was sitting up in bed with her on my legs which were bent so I could see her and play with her. I have no idea how I didnt manage to move or put my legs down. Otherwise she would have been one squashed baby. But hours later I woke up and she was still on my legs and sleeping soundly. I felt such horrible gulit. So after that I started napping with her.
So try and sleep when baby does before you collapse from exhaustion.
2007-03-03 08:52:09 · answer #6 · answered by Monkey Magic 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Maybe your baby isn't getting enough each feeding. I don't know if you are nursing or using formula, but I'll tell you about my experiences and my nieces and nephews.
Both of my children were nursed. I avoided spicy or gassy food, since it goes into the milk. I'd drink a glass of water just before nursing to help with the milk production. It took about 20 minutes for each feeding. I'd burp them halfway through and at the end. Then they would go 1.5-3 hours without a feeding, depending on if they were hitting a growth spurt. My children started sleeping through the night at about 6 months.
Based I what I saw from my nieces and nephews, formula will carry your baby a little longer. It's usually 2-4 hours between feedings. My nieces and nephews started sleeping through the night at about 4 months.
The book "What to expect the first year" was a great resource for me.
2007-03-03 07:27:00 · answer #7 · answered by salsera 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Babies have small digestive tracts,"eat a pellet-make a pellet",they will gradually develop and mature.Forget the housework and sleep at every chance you get.If company wants to come over to visit & see the new baby ask for help while they are there.Most would love to say "you betcha i would"
Remember,if you don't rest your milk supply won't fulfil enough calories to keep the tummy full-just hang in there it will get better and always pat yourself on the back ;)
2007-03-03 07:47:46 · answer #8 · answered by Dylan aka Dilly 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
4 days old? I remember those days. How much are you feeding your baby at one time. With my lil boy I would have to bounce him a lil to keep him awake to make sure he would drink all 3-4 oz. of his bottle.
2007-03-03 09:20:48 · answer #9 · answered by computer_chic_8301 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
maybe the formula needs changed the doctor will ask about bowel movements and maybe its making the baby have extra gas on its stomach they make an over the counter gas medicine for infants and not suggested by a doctor but it never bother my three children put a little rice cereal in the formula about a tablespoon to 4oz. and this will help feel the baby up i only done this at night at bed time and my mother and grandmother did this and other parents too i'm sure
2007-03-03 07:15:44 · answer #10 · answered by country-girl 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋