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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

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Original poster

Over anxious new mum needs advice please.

21 replies

wifflepuss · 12/07/2013 23:21

My amazing new daughter is just three days old and I have managed to get her to latch on pretty well, This may seem silly but the problem is that she sleeps for about six hours at a time and will not wake up for feeds. Is this way too long between feeds? She will then latch on sometimes for about 50 mins to an hour and I don?t like to remove her before she is ready although other times only for 10 mins or so. Obviously I am very new to this and still waiting for my milk to come in. any advice would be really appreciated.

OP posts:

bunchamunchycrunchycarrots · 12/07/2013 23:30

Congratulations on your DD! Its been a long time since i was in your position but I think 6 hours is a bit too long especially in this heat. Have you tried to get her to feed when she's sleeping? I used to give my DD a 'dream feed' meaning id get her out her Moses basket about 11pm for a feed, she'd grumble a bit, latch on and feed while still half or fully asleep. If your baby is sleeping for that long either day or night then you can still get her up and try and get her to latch on and feed more frequently. It's not disturbing the baby as they will settle down as soon as latched and feeding.

Good luck.

SpooMoo · 12/07/2013 23:30

We had a similar issue and were told to wake her if it had been more than 4 hours. During feeds gently rub her hands or feet to keep her awake. Try and use the time she's asleep to get some rest yourself!

Cravingdairy · 12/07/2013 23:31

It's on the long side. I would aim to feed at least every 3-4 hours, ideally more, for a bit longer. Have you tried tickling feet and stripping her? Your midwife ought to be able to give you some tips. Are you keeping an idea on her nappies? It's great she is latching well. Mine was very sleepy and lost a lot of weight and if I could do it again I would keep her with me in bed and offer feeds whenever she squeaked. Congratulations!

SpooMoo · 12/07/2013 23:32

And are you still under midwife care? I'd call and talk to them about it. We were given a 24 hour number.

boobybum · 12/07/2013 23:36

Hello,
Congratulations on becoming a mum!
It is still very early days so I wouldn't worry toO much now as newborns can sleep a lot in the first few days (it hasn't lasted long with my kids so make the most of it!)
As long as your little one is having plenty of wet and dirty nappies then that usually means they're getting enough milk.
A newborn's weight usually decreases in the first few days while mums milk comes in and it can take up to a couple of weeks for them to get back to birth weight but I'm sure your midwife or HV will be keeping an eye on that.
In the first few days with my children I used to just get a comfy seat and pretty much breastfeed them nonstop. They would sleep on me and feed whilst dozing and I would demand that food and drink be brought to me!
It is natural to worry with your first, it took me until baby No.4 to really relax and trust that they would feed as often as they needed!
Good luck

FaddyPeony · 12/07/2013 23:40

I think it's a bit too long yes. Don't worry, but just don't let her sleep through feeds even if it's tempting! Keep an eye on her nappies and if she's too sleepy to feed massage her hand or foot to wake her up.congratulations

Mrchip · 12/07/2013 23:40

Feed more and wake if necessary.
She may be drowsy through not feeding enough. Strip down to nappy, tickle hands and feet, change nappy to help wake.
Aim for 8 feeds in 24 hours-so about every 3 hours.
Congrats

Original poster

wifflepuss · 12/07/2013 23:44

I try to feed her while she is asleep or wake her but she does not stir and her little mouth won't open. Even changing her nappy won't wake her! I have tried every trick but she just stays asleep until she is ready!

OP posts:

Mrchip · 12/07/2013 23:48

I really wouldn't let her go that long so early (and received this advice myself!!)
Keep her close and also try ++ skin to skin to see if that encourages her....BUT you may get in a cycle where tiredness from birth becomes tiredness as she's hungry so keep pestering her!

FaddyPeony · 12/07/2013 23:53

Oh I sympathise mine was just like this. How about sponging her down with a damp cloth? Apparently massaging their palm also stimulates their mouths to get working. Mine lost a bit too much weight from sleeping through feeds so I'd just say don't be afraid of annoying baby by waking her right up! I hated doing it but ultimately it was what she needed.sounds like you're doing great with the latch, well done.

WouldBeHarrietVane · 12/07/2013 23:56

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Sparklyboots · 12/07/2013 23:58

Get her weighed - and if she's doing fine then don't change anything. Community midwives usually bring the scales. My quite big DD slept 7 hrs the 2nd day, and does lovely long stints overnight (she's 8 weeks now). However, my milk had come in within 24hrs and my 2 yr old rather distracted me so I wasn't able to clock watch, otherwise I may have been more focused on waking her. When it turned out she was doing fine and we were getting a good amount of sleep we just left her to it. She was filling (more than) 6 nappies, lovely and pink, and happy when awake, though, and we were closely monitored (standard practice where we live)

SpooMoo · 12/07/2013 23:59

Remember it's a circle - she needs energy to feed, without energy she'll fall asleep, if she's asleep she won't feed... Definitely aim for a feed every few hours to keep her hydrated and growing.

By the way your post title is not right - you are not over anxious, you are being a totally normal good new mum! Your instinct is that it's too long a gap and you've asked for help. That's reasonable. Please ask your midwife team for help/advice as soon as you can for reassurance. Congratulations on your baby!

ZingWidge · 13/07/2013 00:18

congratulations!

have her checked for jaundice - it can make a baby feel sleepy

she needs a feed every 2-3 hours at this age.

ZingWidge · 13/07/2013 00:22

also skin to skin contact will stimulate her and keep her awake while feeding.

Original poster

wifflepuss · 13/07/2013 01:27

Thanks for all the advice. The midwife checked her today and says she is doing fine. no jaundice and weight fine. She was only born on Wed night after a long and difficult labour. I went into hospital on Sunday and brought her home on Thursday so it is all very new. I have tried most of the techniques mentioned on here to wake her for feeds but she is very hard to wake. I will persevere and have set alarms for tonight and if I still cannot wake her up I will call the midwife again tomorrow. Thanks again. I just adore her and want to do the right thing for her.

OP posts:

SpooMoo · 13/07/2013 06:45

You're doing a great job and you are doing the right thing! Good idea about seeing an alarm for yourself overnight, we had to do that too, only for the first couple of days.

WouldBeHarrietVane · 13/07/2013 07:04

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

wifflepuss · 13/07/2013 09:53

I am totally in love! I set alarms throughout the night but she woke up on her own anyway and had a night of feeds every two hours! feel much better about things now (although very tired) and she seems very content. I will continue with the alarms for peace of mind but hopefully we are getting into a more healthy rhythm. Thank you all again for all the advice and reassurance.

OP posts:

FaddyPeony · 13/07/2013 14:39

That sounds great.

WouldBeHarrietVane · 13/07/2013 20:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

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