Breastfeeding a newborn?

Question

My baby is a week old. I'm afraid she's not getting enough to eat. She falls asleep at my breast after only about 5-10 minutes. I try to wake her up again to keep feeding but she just sleeps. What can I do?

Answer 1

Sleepy baby- try putting her in her diaper to feed, the air should keep her awake or play with her hair, toes, and talk to her. This will get better, pretty soon she will always be awake!
At this age their belly gets full fast since it's so little.

Answer 2

First, try not to worry about this. This is normal newborn behavior and she'll wake up after a couple of weeks long enough to nurse.

Here's what I did for my daughter. At six months, she still falls asleep at my breast, but she sucks the entire time now.

1. Strip the baby. Taking off her clothes, making sure she's not so comfortable and warm will keep her awake long enough to eat. Also, changing her diaper before a feeding works wonders, too.

2. Give feedings more often. I tried to sit down and feed her every 2 hours. She gained weight like a champ!!! :)

3. Stimulate her while she's feeding. Talk to her, stroke her hand and face. Sing.

Your baby will have a two week appointment and if she has gained weight, then you're doing fine and on the right track. Now is not the time to worry about if she's getting enough. Don't let this become a stressor. OK? :) Take it one minute at a time.

Answer 3

I believe that is very common! One trick a lactation consultant taught me was to lift up the baby's arm w/ my finger.. at the baby's elbow... it causes a reaction where they think you will pull them away from the breast and they start sucking again. If you notice the next time you lay your baby at the breast, her arm will be tight to her side and her fist clenched. If she stops sucking for more than 20 seconds (you can give her a minute to rest) try gently lifting her elbow. After 10 minutes you can switch her to the other side. When her arm is relaxed and her fist is released, then she has had enough to eat. It sounds weird but it really works! If it's easier you can do 1 side for 10 minutes, then an hour and half later do the other side. But you have to nurse more often that way. I'm sure your baby is probably getting enough, but you do need to make sure she eats (sucks) at least 10 minutes every few hours. Good luck and don't give up! It is hard work breastfeeding in the beginning but after 4-6 weeks it starts to become SO much easier. I found that www.kellymom.com was a great resource when i was breastfeeding.
I know my mom put ice cubes on my feet to keep me awake because i was so sleepy as a newborn. So there's always that but it's kind of drastic!

Answer 4

Did you take a breastfeeding course a the local hospital? That is always a good idea---also there are great books out there.

For a lazy baby that likes to sleep I suggest a few things----first get the baby undressed down to the diaper---this might keep her awake a bit better....I also like to tickle their feet when they are nursing....again...keeps them awake.

Also---you dont need to worry if she is producing enough wet diapers and she is gaining weight----although at her first weigh in she might actually lose weight and the pediatrician should want to see her two weeks from then if this is the case.

Don't worry mom! Breast feeding is one of the best things you can do for your little one! It is a LOT of work......

Answer 5

Don't worry! Your baby will eat when she is hungry. Your supply should be fine. Sometimes my son would only nurse for a short time and I wouldn't feel like he got any milk, but I know he did.

If your baby has plenty of wet diapers (every couple hours) and is gaining weight then you're doing a great job!

With time you'll learn more about breastfeeding and your baby will start to become very efficient at drinking. Maybe she already is and that is why she is so fast!

Also, a week old baby spends much more time sleeping than anything else, so that is normal!

Answer 6

As long as she is eating is good. 5-10 minutes for a newborn on breast is also good enough for them to get what they need. She should have a good amount of wet diapers per day for you to know that she is getting enough. When a baby eats they know how much they need to eat and when they are done, they are done. So don't be too worried because it sounds like you are doing a good job.

Answer 7

my son did the same thing but he would wake up again 20 minutes later. usually u don't have to make an appt for a weight check at the docs just bring her in and get her weight checked. usually breastfed babies lose weight at first. my son was 6 lbs 6 oz and then droped down to 5. 13 and now at 5 1/2 weeks hes at 9 lbs and 4 oz around there. they will catch up. if it will make you feel better you can alwyas buy a pump and pump it to measure how much she's eating. whatever u do don't stop breastfeedin for that reason, it's always hard at first but it gets easier
PS if she's getting at least 6 wet diapers and 2 poops

Answer 8

I had this same problem pedatrician said to force her to wake up take off all the close and even get a wet wash rag. Never shake the baby of course but you kinda get the idea, try to change the baby sometimes that wakes them up either way you gotta make sure that baby eats! IF you have any more question you can e-mail me.

Answer 9

This is really hard I know. I would undress my baby and tickle her feet and nothing would work. Just keep trying and feed her frequently. After about a month it will be a lot easier to get her to eat longer. 5-10 minutes is okay though. She's getting a lot in that time.

Answer 10

This is pretty normal. Unwrap your baby, don't rock her but do hold her so that the motion will not put her to sleep. At this age, they are so sleepy- and it's a lot of work getting that milk from the breast. As long as she has 7-8 diapers a day, she is OK