Falling Asleep While Nursing! I'm Going CRAZY!

I remember being told to strip them down to the diaper to help keep them awake while feeding. Also tickle them under the chin. It is frustrating at first but I don't remember that stage lasting very long.

Well, it is normal for a 2 week old to need to nurse every couple of hours, but it shouldn't necessarily take an hour every time. A couple of things to try...warm compress and massage your breasts for a few minutes before nursing to help "prime the pump" so to speak. Make sure your baby isn't too warm. Drink a ton of water and try a lecithin supplement--it is purported to help your milk more "slippery".

Frequent nursing will help build your milk supply. If you're supplementing with formula, try to get in a pumping session...milk production is supply and demand. Toddlers like to be pretty helpful at that age...maybe try enlisting your older child to tickle the baby's feet and keep her awake.

One last thought are you feeding her on demand or trying to get her on a schedule? It is really too early introduce scheduled feedings. Give it a few more weeks on demand to build your supply and give your daughter a chance to learn how to nurse effectively.

This used to happen with my son too. I was always nursing him because it would take him so long to feed, and then when he was finally done, he would be hungry again shortly after. I tried everything: nursing him while he was undressed, brushing his cheek, putting a cool cloth on his face, nothing worked. He grew out of it maybe by month two? It's been a while since I nursed him. I kinda miss those hours of lounging on the couch with him, don't get that anymore, ahah. Hang in there, she'll grow out of it.

Hey there. My little guy would fall asleep too! Maybe try tickling him or caressing him on the back of his head, under the chin. I tried to keep talking to the baby...to keep him engaged. Maybe your little girl isn't too hungry at the time that you are breastfeeding? Just a thought.I know that some babies just love the warmth and comfort of being in their mama's arms, and that just makes them sleepy. I"ve heard maybe putting down your little girl for a few minutes to see if that would wake her up, and then try feeding her. As long as your little girl is gaining weight steadily (which you'll know on her next visit), it should be great! Good luck to you :)

I always heard that a damp washcloth on their forehead or bottom of their feet will wake them back up. It can be difficult sometimes when they doze in the middle, but she'll get it.

I haven't read your other responses, but I do have a lot of experience with breastfeeding. I'm about to have my 4th baby and nursed each child for about 2 years each.

I would stop waking her up to feed her. I would go off her schedule. When she is awake and wants to eat, feed her and when she's asleep, let her sleep. I don't think you need to feed her for an hour every 2-3 hours. I tried doing that with my first child, and realized it wasn't working for either one of us. The poor kiddo was exhausted and didn't want to wake up every 2-3 hours and I was exhausted too. Nursing is a lot different then bottle feeding, and especially at this age, you really can't get them on a schedule. I would only feed on demand.

Also, with your 2 year old, I would stay in a room with him that he can't excape from (whether it be the living room with child gates up, or a bedroom with the door locked) and put out some toys, washable crayons and paper, or even a movie to watch (a little TV won't hurt anyone, when your trying to survive the first month with a baby). Also, if you have a fenced yard, you could sit out there and nurse while the 2 year old plays in a sandbox or something.

Good luck. :)

I just wanted to share my story with you, so you don't feel alone! My two younger ones are 18 months apart and the older one took FULL advantage of nursing time! I will say that it worked better to nurse in a bedroom with a door and having a bucket of toys, snacks, goodies that I could get down just for nursing time. I was so thankful that he did not have any allergies, as he figured out how to open the freezer, and the dishwasher so he could climb on the counter to get into all kinds of things!! He got into an entire gallon of ice cream and covered himself in peanut butter once! My mom also always told me to get the camera first, which gave me a chance to cool down and something to laugh at later! Hang in there!!! This too shall pass!!

You could try nursing her when she first wakes up from a nap, when she might be less likely to fall asleep right away. You could also try reading to your other child (or singing songs, or cuddling him, or whatever) so the nursing time doubles as quality time with the other child and he won't be into everything. Or, if you can get him into a video or coloring book, you could use the nursing time to make phone calls, write thank you notes or read.

Also check out La Leche League, their lactation specialists are free and have LOTS of knowledge and information.

hope that helps!

They don't actually have to be totally awake to nurse. I was told that if you push the spot under their chin (kind the underside of the tongue from the outside of the mouth if that makes sense), it causes a swallow reflex. Try it on yourself. Then, as they swallow, squeeze some milk in, and it may start them up again.

Also, know that this doesn't last. It will get easier, so don't give up now. She will get more efficient, and will be more alert. My daughter is 3 months and my son is 2...it can be done.

Some babies take their sweet time, which can make a mommy nuts! If its easier to do the bottle, try pumping for now and offer that while your little one gets a bit bigger and can stay awake for longer. I remember rubbing my sons chin, sort of like you were making them swallow from the outside, when he would start to drift off, and being told to rub his chin from side to side to stimulate sucking. Good luck!

Try breast compressions: http://www.nbci.ca/index.php?option=com_content&view=...

Also, the support you will find at a La Leche League meeting can be tremendously helpful. I have received several tips recently for things to keep my 3 yo occupied while nursing my 3 month old. www.llli.org, check out resources, find a group.

With your daughter being so young, do you have anyone around to help out with the 2 yo? I had help from family for the first four weeks, and I can truly say it was necessary. I have actually hired a postpartum doula for a couple hours once or twice a week recently to get some more of that help, even though my baby is now "older". If you don't have family around, you could call a postpartum doula or mother's helper (teenage babysitter) to come help out with the older kiddo. This is a short time, although the hours seem long now. It will get better, slow but sure. Good luck!

H.

You can pump and give the baby a bottle of breastmilk. It will keep up your milk supply and when she gets older and stays awake, she WILL nurse better. My son was a very lazy baby and since he was born a month early he had a bad latch. I was so afraid of nipple confusion but my hospital nurse assured me it is not something to worry about. Weight gain, bonding and the benefits of breastfeeding far outweigh the small chance the baby has trouble going back to the breast. Nipple confusion did NOT happen to me. I have heard countless stories like this with the same result, a happy,nursing baby. You might have to use a breast shield during the transition back to breast, but that is not as hard as it seems, I promise. At 8 weeks my son was back nursing like a champ.
Also, I don't know if you've used formula before but it is very expensive. When they get older and are drinking 6-8 oz 5-6 times a day, you are using a can a week at $30+. And you can't go back to breast milk then. Good luck!

The answers for keeping her awake are all good. I'd add just one bit: lay her down on her back on a hard surface (coffee table, kitchen counter). If she turns to her side & curls up, roll her onto her back. This is not a cozy position for her and may wake her up.

Most importantly for your milk supply: if you really want to breastfeed, you've got to pump whenever you give her formula. It sounds daunting when you have so much going on already, but your body will readjust quickly - down or up - so keep the demand for your milk high.
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