Help - baby not feeding

[fifitot]

Have already posted about my newborn (now 6 days old) and his tendency to sleep all day and be awake at night. This hasn't improved.

He doesn't seem interested in feeding at all today tbh - he has had bits but is not draining the breast. Has wet nappies but no poo yet.

Last night was the 5th of fussing on and off the breast but at one point he didn't even want milk and just wanted to be awake.

He isn't draining my breasts so have expressed a bit to help but doesn't seem to have. I THINK I am having a letdown but not sure. He pulls off after about 10 mins but am pretty certain latch is right now as no pain and can hear him gulping.

With my first I had really long, frequent feeds but with this one I am struggling to get him interested today! He seems fine if sleepy. Has not lost weight as of yesterday which is good says MW especially as bf babies do lose a bit. Has gained 1 oz in 5 days.

Not sure what to do! Shall I strip him down? Wash his face?

Does he nod off during feeds? DS1 did that so I had to strip him down to a nappy for every feed

if he is having plenty of wet nappies then he is feeding well - he may just be a fast feeder? My two DS's would have a full feed in less than 15 mins and yet some of my friends would be stuck with baby on boob for over an hour..

hope it improves soon

Thanks - just concerned as no poos today and really sleepy.

Anyone else?

fifitot - can you call the midwife and speak to her?

No poos can be a sign all is not well with milk transfer and babies who sleep a lot in these early days may be conserving energy...which makes the situation worse.

However, if he has not lost any weight (really? No weight lost since birth?) then may indeed be well, yet a refusal to feed on day is always something to be concerned about.

He ended up doing one poo today and did have lots of wet nappies.

I think he may be reverse cycling actually. Definately no waitloss tiktok. He isn't refusing to feed during day but sleeping. He will do it if I wake him. At night he is very fussy and on and off all night.

I will get some MW advice definately. Am hoping tonight he may be more settled but will wait and see.

Is it normal for babies to sleep alot in the early days. My first was a terrible sleeper and seldom slept during the day. She was also a regular and voracious feeder. This is why I am so confused!

DS2 slept 90-95% time for the first six weeks - but gained weight and when he was awake he was very alert. After I'd stopped panicking I used the time to bake lots of cakes which I am sure helped the breastfeeding too!

He is now 2yrs old and still sleeps loads (4hour daytime nap today!)

hope things improve at night - if you are still worried speak to MW or HV

Thanks

He slept really well last night! Of course I am still concerned - can't win! Fed at 11 pm and then 2.30 and 6 am. Now asleep again! Is now feeding quite well and taking lots of milk so that's OK. Nappies really wet and will watch the poo situation.

I am still ringing MW for advice but thinking I am confused due to my DD's previous totally different behaviour!

Am bumping in case any experts around! He has pooed a couple of times and has had plenty of wet nappies. Still sleeping much of day though and have had to wake him to feed. I know he is only a week now but I feel he should be waking to feed himself tbh.

Not feeding for long during the day - the feeds mentioned above were quite long. It is very warm so he is sleepy - dunno.....really confused. Will see what he's like tonight.

I have got loads of milk at the moment as he is snacking rather than feeding. Will have to pump some off I think.

Any advice on a sleepy baby? Thanks.

If you have lots of milk it means that his feeds are emptying your breasts.

With little babies only can go by weight gain and he is, so nothing to worry about.

Don't compare him with other babies - every one is different. MY dd slepd days and was awake at night for the first 9 weeks until I had to go to London to see friends and that kept her awake for the day until midday, then she eventually fell asleep as 10 pm - first time in her life

Thanks - it is so hard not to compare. DD was a milk monster, feeding nearly every hour most of the time in the early days. I now think her latch was poor tbh which would account.

My breasts are so full though - but in some ways a week into bfing then supply issues still settling down. I can't get used to such big boobs again - it's spoiling the outline of my clothes!!!! I need some better bras I think.

Thanks for replying.

Better maternity bra - for sure
and a couple of new tops, as by default your bra size may have gone up by 2 cups

fifitot the main things are weight gain, being alert when he is awake and plenty of wet nappies

DS2 was fully BF and as such would go a long time between poos. 19 days was the record.

Hi

Have an 8 day old. She sleeps and feeds beautifully during the day; at night she is very fitful and sleeps for short periods. Much more awake at night. MW advice to me? Change my patterns to accommodate her. IF I keep her awake during the day she'll be grumpy at night. It is very tiring but at least as she sleeps during the day we can achieve all our chores and have a snooze... good luck