Welcome to part 3 of my Baby Sleep and Breastfeeding Series! The problem is that she sleeps too much and I can't seem to be able to wake her to eat. Burp the baby. Your baby also won't be able to alert you, just in case he gets choked in … You are probably exhausted from all the demands of early motherhood, and on top of that, your baby may be nursing at odd hours of the night. Pediatrics. A breastfeeding strike happens when your baby refuses your breast, after previously feeding well (Bonyata 2018a).The spell of refusal usually only lasts for a few days, though it may last for as long as 10 days (Burbidge 2017, Mohrbacher 2013). The majority of partners won’t be able to help when your baby wakes to cry for breastfeeding. Use some of the other strategies on this list to keep your baby awake long enough to finish out the bedtime routine. Trying to stay awake. Some may be more active in reclining positions while some may fall into a deep sleep. Baby won't wake to eat: I'm desperate for some help here. At around 3 months, he’ll start to stay awake longer and take a greater interest in the world around him. Before you start asking Google for strategies to make your baby nap without all the fuss, take a moment to explore some possible reasons your baby won’t nap. This is called switch nursing, and it's a good technique, especially with newborns. You’re probably exhausted from all the demands of early motherhood, and on top of that, your baby may be nursing at odd hours of the night. Try holding your baby in different breastfeeding positions to see if any help him to stay awake. It can be upsetting when your baby turns away from your breast, especially if you have no idea why it's happening. Often, he will dose off briefly and then startle back awake and continue the crying. Newborn babies are often very, very tired and will sleep with ease. Additional tips: Waking a sleepy baby at AskDrSears.com. While breastfeeding is recommended by many doctors, it is not as simple as it seems. she'll fall asleep on the breast after a good 30 - 50min feed but then as soon as I pull her off she starts to wake to the point of fully awake by the time I wrap her & put her in bed. I Try not to feed him in a position that's 'too comfortable' for me but the drowsiness always seems to take over. It can be upsetting for both of you if your baby won’t nurse. 1984 Jan;73(1):59-63. A colicky baby won’t accept any comforting and particularly finds it very hard to fall asleep. Baby keeps Sleeping when Breastfeeding How to keep Baby Awake while Breastfeeding. ; Talk to your child: Just hearing your voice might be enough to wake your baby. 1979 Oct;54(10):787-9; Cochrane Database Syst Rev. Griffin says rule number one is simple: get out of bed. Have been found asleep mid feed twice now by DH (dear husband) and need to find a way to stop myself nodding off. You can pump the other side while you nurse if you get too full. Has anyone got any tips on how to stay awake whilst feeding. Baby won't feed while awake! Falling asleep while holding your baby on a couch or chair is a suffocation hazard, and it can be hard for some mothers to stay awake when feeding and getting comfortable. Blow air on their cheeks or forehead. This study from Infant Behavior and Development looked at the connection between breastfeeding and short sleep duration. How do I stop falling asleep while breastfeeding? 27 Ways To Keep Your Sleeping Baby Awake During Breastfeeding (Try 1 or 2 each feeding session to see what works best to rouse your baby) Light up the room. You’re pretty much on your own. Your baby is also beginning to recognize that he is separate from mom. A baby who is not eating often enough is not getting enough calories to stay awake. Place breastfeeding first or at least earlier in the process. she won't eat in her sleep and i've continuously failed at trying to wake her back up. Here are a few that we recommend: Some babies will tend to fall asleep in the first few weeks of life when the flow of milk is slow, not necessarily because they have had enough to eat. They may struggle and cry, find it difficult to latch on, or simply nurse ineffectively at the breast. Baby won't sleep...: I'm new to BF & I've started having real trouble putting my 2.5 week old to sleep after a feed. Worse still, you can’t make too much noise for fear of waking up hubby who probably has an early start in the morning. Babies won’t always eat exactly 2-3 ounces each feeding. she wakes up hungry so i try to feed her, she'll start eating but after just a few mins falls back to sleep again! What is a breastfeeding strike? Once you understand what’s behind the refusal to rest, you may come up with your own creative ideas to get your little on a more consistent sleep schedule. When you feel too drowsy to keep your eyes open while breastfeeding, there are a few tricks you can use to stay awake. If baby starts to cry because they want the breast and won’t take a bottle this can add to your feelings of helplessness or frustration. it's driving me nuts! This way, the baby will be wide awake while nursing because he has just finished his nap. At low levels of consumption the chances of this being a problem are small, however, so most breastfeeding mothers can enjoy a coffee, tea or cola safe in the knowledge that is keeping them, but not their baby, awake. All of these things can result in a distractible baby. I used to surf on my iPhone when I was really struggling when she was little but now the light distracts her. Use the same breast for 2 or 3 feedings in a row, then switch. This is a community dedicated to parents who are choosing to breastfeed, providing a safe place to discuss everything from pumping, to questions of whether baby is getting enough, weaning, breast care, scheduling, supply, and more. A sleepy, snuggly newborn is so sweet and precious. Play music. How Do I Stop Falling Asleep While Breastfeeding? She pretty much eats anything without any fuss, except when it come to drinking formula during the day, while awake! I try to get plenty of sleep and get enough to eat and drink. If your baby doesn’t eat every 2-3 hours it’s ok, they may eat more, they may eat less. My LO won’t stay awake for a full nursing session, I’ve tried changing his diaper, burping him, laying him down, raising him in the air, using a … However, if your baby’s sleeping cycle is 120 minutes or longer, then you may want to give the second feed 20 minutes before the nap, so that your baby doesn’t wake up too early due to hunger. The easiest way to do this is to rearrange the routine. Here are a few that we recommend: ; Unwrap your baby: Remove your child's blankets and even undress them so that they aren't so warm and comfortable.However, keep in mind that babies lose body heat very quickly. Help! i'm petrified of … Your baby will let you know when it’s hungry and full. HI, just wondering how everyone manages to stay awake when bf at night? When baby first becomes aware of the rest of the world, he will have a hard time concentrating on nursing. Arch Dis Child. Dr. Tanya R. Altmann, MD. Co-sleeping is not an option and as she only naps max half an hour during the day, sleeping while she sleeps doesn't work either. (OK, so maybe it's a little hard.) How can I help my baby stay awake while breastfeeding? It doesn't matter what I do, she just won't wake up. Drowsy driving is a huge problem and a cause for thousands of car accidents each year. If you have tried all three and the baby is not suckling take the baby off the breast. Remember he’s not rejecting you. He will never learn to "stay awake for the whole nursing" if you start giving him a bottle, because there is very little work involved in a bottle and he will certainly form a preference for what is less tiring. Tips on keeping baby awake during feedings? Any tips? As a newborn your baby won't be able to turn his head or move it away from you if his nose gets blocked by your clothes or bedding. If it has been less than about 10 minutes per breast of active suck then you should probably supplement after that feeding unless all other feedings have been super. I fell into a deep sleep for about 3 hours earlier today while feeding him and woke with a start. Breastfeeding is normal and natural but some babies don’t get the hang of it straight away. Pediatrics. This will help ensure they are taking an effective feed so they will stay full longer and hopefully sleep longer stretches for you. Every baby is different, so don’t stress if things aren’t going as planned or what everyone is telling you. Breastfeeding Support Group. As difficult as it might be, stay awake while you breastfeed or bottle feed your baby. When you begin breastfeeding again, use your other breast instead of the one you started with. This allows the baby to feed while staying awake to work through the remaining bedtime or naptime activities. Change their diaper. However, that same sleepy newborn can be a source of frustration when he or she simply will not wake up for their feeding time!. 2000;(2):CD000273. Obviously the number won’t be the same for every person, but every human needs a proper amount of sleep to function well. Sing to them or play with your baby. My DD is a week old and EBF. Try to comfort baby and stay calm while you work through some ideas on this list. Touch your baby: Ease your child out of their sleepy state by tickling their feet or gently rubbing their arms, legs, and back. A baby can sense if a carer is stressed … Take off their clothes and socks. When you feel too drowsy to keep your eyes open while breastfeeding, there are a few tricks you can use to stay awake. Dairy products are top of the list of the type of foods to avoid while breastfeeding due to their high content of allergens. My ds (dear son) is nearly 4 weeks old and i have tried everything to keep my eyes open while he's feeding, from cold drinks, to reading, to playing solitaire on my ipod! Change up breastfeeding positions. How to Make Baby Stay Awake While Breastfeeding. If you are just joining us, you might want to start at part 1, where I discuss reasons why breastfeeding moms sometimes struggle with sleep.Today, I’ll go over the way mom’s diet or medication might affect baby’s sleep. Some babies may be more wakeful in a rugby hold or in an upright position such as a straddle hold compared with a traditional cradle hold. : So my LO is about 8 and 1/2 months, she's doing quite well, eating solids during the day. That's because the new breast has a pooled supply of milk, one where the flow is faster, so your baby won't have to work so hard to eat. If you find it difficult to keep your baby awake while feeding, try some of these tricks to keep them interested and active when feeding. There are times you should keep your baby awake while breastfeeding.