Newborn sleeping too much?

[moominmaiden]

I was hoping for a little advice as I?ve got myself in a bit of a state?

DS is less than 2 days old and I would like to exclusively breast feed. After a couple of initial problems latching on things seemed to be going well, but last night DS would not settle, waking up and crying every time I put him in his crib. I was exhausted after 36 hours without sleep and eventually, unable to express milk and worried that DS was becoming dehydrated because I had no way of knowing if he was actually feeding, I went down into the kitchen to make up a bottle of formula we bought in case of an emergency.

I put DS in the car seat while doing this and by the time the formula was ready he was fast asleep for the first time since coming home from the hospital. Me and DH set up a blow up bed in the lounge and I put the car seat next to it, intending to have a short nap (after 36 hours we were both dropping off involuntarily).

Next thing we knew it was five hours later. DS had slept right through.

He fed every hour after waking up and after four sessions went to sleep (in his car seat as he still won?t settle anywhere else) until the midwife arrived.

The midwife explained the dangers of him sleeping in his car seat and also said that five hours was far too long for him to sleep. She said he should go for no more than three hours between feeds. By this time he had been asleep for two hours, so an hour after the midwife left I woke him up and tried to get him to latch on, but he just fell asleep on the nipple and would not suck ? I think he was using the nipple as a dummy.

Eventually, after about an hour of coaxing, he woke up properly and fed for about forty minutes. This was followed by another feed, and he then fell asleep at around 4.30pm. At 7.30pm I woke him up for his feed and had the same problem ? he was just too sleepy to feed. After over an hour of this sleepiness I got really worried it was due to dehydration and again resorted to formula. This time I gave him some. He choked most of it back up, but is now out for the count again.

I?m really not sure what to do. DH is happy to switch to formula but I realise that I would only be making that decision based on my postnatal emotions and that I may regret it in the long run. Also ? it is not the feeding that is the problem. When he wants to feed he lets me know and he seems to be latching on well. The issue is the sleeping. He seems to want to sleep for 4 hours or so at a time and because the midwife has told me this is too much I am worried about dehydration ? but he simply won?t feed until he is ready.

I wondered if anyone else has experienced this in a newborn?

Sorry to ramble on ? I?m exhausted and just want to do the right thing :(

I'm also really freaked out by him choking on the (newborn) formula, and worry that if I do formula feed he will do this when I'm asleep :(

Congratulations on your new baby!
Does he have wet nappies? Is he pooing? Newborns do sleep a lot and it sounds like he's feeding well so if he's filling nappies I wouldn't worry unduly but keep waking 3 hourly for feeds.

Also check you have the newborn teat on the bottle, if the milk is too fast flowing it will make him gag but babies have very sensitive gag reflexes.

I am not an expert but we did have to wake our little guy to feed at first. The challenge was getting him to fully wake up so we usually resorted to stripping him off/changing his nappy/tickling his feet etc and this usually woke him up enough to get him latched on.

We had some struggles with bf at first but I am so glad I stuck it out now - it is so easy and convenient and also a lovely way to feel close to your baby and that is without factoring in the health benefits. Get some specialist bf advice before you give up - try la lache league or a lactation consultant (make sure they are qualified).

Newborns are sleepy creatures but it doesn't last for long!

I expect your milk will come in tomorrow and he will be stuck to your boob lapping it all up! I had a slow start with feeding but it picked up on day three. I would stop giving the formula. If you are worried hsnd express some colostrum into a syringe or dropper. Formula at this stage means he wont want the breast and you need him there yo bring in a healthy milk supply. Phone the la leche league helpline for advice. Your mw id right about the car seat. Try taking him into your bed for skin to skin. Being next to a naked boob might encourage him to feed.

I'm no expert but it doesn't sound so bad to me. Friends of mine have had similar babies. It sounds like he's being quite normal. Does he have wet and dirty nappies? If so I wouldn't worry about dehydration so much.

I would personally keep on with the breast feeding for a bit. If nothing else, it's easier for small babies to digest so he will feed sooner and put on weight quicker (to start with).

It's quite normal for babies not to settle in a cot etc as they like being cuddled.

Oh and try posting this in breast and bottle feeding - lots of knowledgable people over there.

Thanks all - I will try posting in the breastfeeding forum. I think I am just very tired and not thinking things through properly.

Will go down and speak to DS. He told me to come upstairs and sleep while DS slept while he watches him (and the telly) but I can't settle myself so not much point of me being up here posting

I didn't wake either of my two babies in the night to feed...and they both used to sleep for five or six hours at a stretch from day 1...Both are happy and healthy and fed/feed beautifully during they day. I'm not a medic, but I think if nappies are full and wet, he's not jaundiced, he looks pink and healthy, etc - then I wouldn't worry too much. But of course do take advice from a health visitor if you're worried.

I would wake at first every 3 hours - he needs to be feeding 10-12 times in 24 hours. Keep an eye on her colour in case of jaundice.

It doesn't sound like you need to give him formula unless you want to though. He is just very new still!

I recommend you follow your instincts and let him sleep. If he is feeding when he's hungry then he should be fine. He is not programmed to receive formula ounces, but v small quantity of colostrum & breast milk until your milk comes in properly.

Have confidence in your body, don't panic & resort to formula too quickly.

Look up the la Leche league uk website & call them up. Get someone to come out to see you. Don't just rely on your midwifes advice.

Also - sorry DH- don't listen to him as men commonly have a 'male' approach to the unknown bf & like to know how many oz taken etc.

Re the sleeping in car seat- it's not good because it squishes their lungs. But clearly he's comfy in it. Have you a rocky chair/ bouncer that is less scrunchy? Or the Moses basket in the living room? Our DD wouldn't sleep in the first week unless she was on either of ours chests, on her front. So I totally know what you mean about being desperate for sleep vs them being safe.

What you can't see now is that this odd state of affairs won't last long. Just get through each day.

Good luck on getting some real life advice and congratulations!