Keeping baby awake on the breast

[RnB]

Am having real problems keeping my 4 week old awake whilst she's feeding. I think all of the naptime she's getting during feeds is interfering with her sleep.

Have tried tickling feet/ears, blowing in her face, talking, singing...

Anyone got any advice?

If I need DS to stay awake a little longer, I stroke between his shoulder blades, this usually makes him squirm a bit.

I used to strip DD down to her nappy to try and keep her awake, but as she was born during the summer, it was just as warm with clothes off as it was with them on! Someone else suggested rubbing her palms which seemed to work.

Hi, RnB, was lovely to meet you both this weekend

DS used to do this - I found taking a layer of clothing off so he was slightly chilly did the trick. My HV advised also that gently pinching their ears works too; I felt a bit cruel, but again, it worked! Also lots of taking off to wind.

Check this site out, too.

From what I gather, its really normal Hope things settle down soon.

I run my fingertip from her ear to her mouth - a MW suggested this and it works for DD. Or give her a finger to hold onto and then wag it around while she's holding it.

My MW said to try no clothes I never did, as I felt too guilty. I tried to feed just after a nap instead, so they were as awake as possible at that stage, as my 2 DCs certainly slept vast amount in the early days. I found the more they slept, the better they slept and they could only stay awake for 90 mins maximum, before needing another nap in the early days. If they were over tired they slept worse.

I did wake them for a feed if it had been too long though. They both fed 2-3 hourly in the early days in the day and at bedtime, 11pm, 2am ish and then 5amish, maybe 6am instead if lucky.

I actually do not have any better suggestions than the ones you've tried though. Thankfully they soon wake up and it gets a little easier.

Oooo x posted with lots of others about taking layers of clothes off

Oh and changing their nappy before a feed, just remembered that one too!

My DD used to always fall asleep on the breast after about 5 minutes. I have tried all of the above suggestions...tickling feet, blowing on face and stripping clothes off of DD. Found that in the first few weeks she fed better with just a vest on - found this to be a happy medium between her being completely stripped and fully clothed.

I have read that sometimes babies fall asleep when the flow of milk being slow. Breast compression can help with this but you can only do this when your DC is actualy sucking, but when you think they are slowing down and not actually drinking.

Ooh some great suggestions here, thank you! Will be trying them out today.

Great to meet you too SirBoob , your DS is adorable!