3 day old newborn sleeping alot, is he ok?

Question

I have been bawling my eyes out for hours now because I noticed my 3 day old' son eyes had a yellow tint in his eyes.
Its obviously jaundice but the nurse didnt seem to concerned. He has an appt tomorrow anyways but I feel guilty because they saY poor breastfeeding can cause this. I have been trying very hard but my breasts have been raw and painful so I have been doing one breast instead of two and then supplimenting if it gets too painful. If he falls asleep I didnt push him to drink more. Did I cause this? Now he is sleeping alot but maybe that is normal? He is my second so you think I would know..Plus im really tired...Am I just freaking out?

Answer 1

Don't worry. If it's jaundice, you have an appointment tomorrow so they can check on it. My newborn was asleep for almost a week and a half after being born. I remember being worried about that because books I read said that they would be awake more by the time you bring them home. I asked my doctor too about waking her up to breastfeed and he advised me not to. He said she would wake up when she was hungry. He also advised me to use ice on my nipples to numb them right before feeding her. My baby was latching correctly, my nipples were just sore. I also started using lansinoh to help them and I found Lansinoh breast pads to be the best also, they kept my breasts dry, some of the other pads stuck to my already sore nipples and kept them wet. Continue to feed from both breasts (don't suppliment if you can help it), the pain will go away soon, I promise.

You are tired and freaking out a little, but isn't that normal right after you have babies? He's ok mom, don't worry.

Answer 2

You're just freaking out. Your body and your brain have been through so much and you are very overwehlmed and extremely tired. He sounds fine. Jaundice starts in their face and works its way down their body. I remember when my son was about 5 days old he was jaundiced and I took him to the doc and they say that the yellow color stopped at his belly and that meant that the jaundice was not that bad. I don't know where you live but, here in Boston it's supposed to be a beautiful, hot summer day tomorrow and the sunshine is really good for jaundice. Just let him lay in the sun -- not during the really peak hours but, sometime during the day for a while. It will probably help. Let him sleep as much as he wants. Feed him when he wakes up and let him sleep the rest of the time. Try to sleep whenever he sleeps. Don't worry. He'll be fine. Get some sleep.

Answer 3

Don't worry about it being jaundice, jaundice is SO common. All three of my children had it. All you need is sunlight, and if that's not enough, he'll have to spend some time under a 'tanning light'. Blue lights, he'll get a tan and wear velcro sunglasses, it's cute. The breastfeeding bit.. make sure he's latched on right, that might be making you sore if he's not. Do you have any lanolin ointment? Get some, it won't hurt the baby and it's chapstick for your (can I SAY nipples?). Anyway and about sleeping so much? It could be perfectly normal and it could be one other thing that I know about, but just wait for the newborn screening test to come back and make sure that your state checks for congenital hypothyroidism. It's treatable, don't panic, and I'm not suggesting he has it, but sleeping a lot is one of MANY symptoms. But don't think about that until your newborn screening is back, it'll say if he has that or not. Good luck.

Answer 4

Calm down

Remeber, newborns do sleep most the time. For that first month, they are only awake mainly to eat.

You did not cause this jaundice. It happens to some babies and tommorrow you will get some help.

Just try to relax and feed your baby and it is ok to suppliment, don't feel bad. Some mothers have a hard time.

Just try to rest as much as possible, while your baby sleeps, because you are stressed and you just gave birth. Your hormones are going wild. (my baby is 5 months and my hormones are still going wild!). Ask for help whenever you can too from friends and family..

Stay in there, you can do it. Try to be calm and rest rest rest!

Your baby will recover before you know it!

Answer 5

Sounds like u need some rest and while baby is sleeping is the best time to get some. Sounds like he is fine... new born babies do sleep a lot and jaundice is not caused from poor breastfeeding. If your in that much pain maybe u should switch to a bottle. Good Luck

Answer 6

All of this is perfectly fine. My son did the exact same thing, he was sleeping up to 20 hours a day and he had a touch of jaundice too. Just take him outside in the sun light for about 10 - 15 minutes a day and it should go away by itself. My advise to you is while he is sleeping, you SLEEP!!!!!! That is one thing that I wish I had done with my son, but I was too busy doing other things. I hope everything goes well. Congrats on your new little addition!!!!
Also about the sore breast, my best adivse is pump for a while and let them heal or go to strictly to a bottle. I had to with my son b/c he made my nipples soooo... raw. Have your tried any nipple cream to help sooth them? Good luck

Answer 7

We need more specifics. What is sleeping a lot? At this point it should be about 18 hours a day. He is only 3-days-old. Did you just get home today? Do you let him sit near the window too. If it's always dark that could be hurting him. I never darkened the room when my baby took naps. The breastfeeding will get better with time and then it will be very easy. Good luck.

Answer 8

Are you freaking out? YES!, Did you cause the Jaundice, NO. Are you tired. yes, much!, Quit fretting you'll see the Doc tomorrow. Babies 3 days old don't do anything but sleep and eat...if, you can get them to stay awake long enough to nurse. so lay down with your little one and get some rest. It will all be better tomorrow.

Answer 9

Yes this is perfectly normal, my daughter slept all the time, when they are this little they need the sleep for they are constantly growing. I just let my daughter sleep as long as she needed and she was only awake about 30 mins if that at each feed. The longest time which she was ever awake in one day was when I fed and bathed her at night, her last feed would be at aprox 10.30 at night and she would wake up at 6.30 the next morning. She is 15 yrs old now and is very healthy. she was a healthy baby too, but if you are really concerned talk to your Dr for ease of mind.

Answer 10

stop worrying and get some rest. you didnt cause it, your just trying to do the best for your kid, so stop freaking out, and relax for a minute. hes 3 days old, thats all they do is sleep. and if he falls asleep, why wake him to make him drink more? if hes hungry, your the mom, you know best, hell be fine, you have an appt tomorrow, now go take a warm bath and soak your breasts, and go to sleep.as hard as that sounds, you need the rest!