If anyone can offer any tips, I'd be eternally grateful!
DS was born last Wednesday, weighing a somewhat less than dainty 9lb 9oz. He fed incredibly well initially, despite me not being able to get near him for 2 hours due to PPH (lost 1.3 litres apparently), tear stitching etc.
He has had no problems latching since then, and fed well for the first 2 days in hospital. However, ever since then he has been getting progressively sleepier and sleepier at every feed. He latches on really well initially, but is falling asleep within a few minutes and dropping off the breast. I am trying everything, blowing on him, tickling feet, nappy changing etc, but few feeds are managing to get beyond the 10 minute mark, whereas before he was feeding happily for up to 40 minutes at a time.
The result appears to be sleeping problems, as he is only really sleeping well for an hour at most after a feed, and often not sleeping at all.
He also appears to be terribly constipated. He is managing to produce the odd dirty nappy, but hasn't produced one since early yesterday morning, and has clearly been in distress about it since about yesterday afternoon, bringing his legs up to his tummy and squeaking quite often. I think this is also stopping him sleeping, as he appears really uncomfortabl . e sleeping on his back, preferring to sleep curled up in a ball on one of us. This is fine, but I am terrified of co-sleeping, as I am still a fairly heavy sleeper, so the result is me and DP sleeping in shifts in the night while the awake one holds him.
Anyone got any thoughts on (a) getting him to feed for longer, in the hopes that he'll be able to survive a bit longer and (b) solving the constipation?
Also, he's coming up for 5 days old, and although my colostrum does slowly seem to be turning into milk, I certainly haven't had major swelling and the feeling that my milk is thoroughly 'in'. Nipples getting really quite sore from constant feeding, but boobs not swelling especially.
Sorry, monster post, and probably left out loads of details..