sleepy baby & BF question

[Rarity]

So as a STM who nursed my son for 19 months, I have a problem. I didn't experience this with my son and I'm getting frustrated.

I have a very nice milk supply this time. My milk came in at about 3 days. By the time Emma was 5 days old, she was back at her birth weight. With DS, he was constantly going in for weight checks. Emma even chokes with the let down and during feedings. I can only nurse her for about 7 min each side, any longer and she will be full and not take the other breast. After she's eaten, she will be milk wasted and will be in a milk coma for at least 3 hours. At night I have to set my alarm or she will go 4-5 hours without eating.

To keep her awake to eat from both sides, I undress her, use cold wipes to change her diaper between breasts, mess with her feet....I don't know how else to do wake her/keep her up. I am writing this at 4 am while I pump for relief. I know it will only stimulate more milk but I'm hurting and need relief and Emma's not helping. I have even started pumping a few min before nursing her, so it's not too much for her. I'm going to ask the dr on tuesday, but any suggestions is much appreciated. Thanks!

[michelle142]

Aside from what you're already doing: turn the lights on, talk to her, as she's nursing wipe a baby wipe on her feet, tickle her cheeks, chin and the back of her neck... that's all I can think of right now. DS was a sleepy nurser, so we had to do a ton to keep him awake.

[aggiebug]

I sympathize with your struggles. DD is also a sleepy baby which they say is quite common with early babies (not sure if your DD was early) she is getting better but can still be a struggle.

Honestly I gave up on trying to switch breast during a feeding and I just rotate back and forth. So one feeding is left the next is right and so on. It has made it easier for me as I can stimulate her to nurse but it is hard to wake her up and relatch. My boobs have figured it out and I don't have major engorgement issues any more.

Tickling her feet, blowing on her face and tickling her chin also seem to work for her to nurse but getting her naked and cold wipes are my acts of desperation.

[mommadozer]

That's how my LO used to be. He was born at 36 weeks and was super sleepy. He is getting better at staying awake. I used to have to tickle him to keep going once latched. Now, I just change his diaper before feeding him and it at least gets him going and sometimes tap my breast if he stops sucking.

[misshart00]

I do what aggiebug does and feed one breast per feeding. I also kind of jiggle/squeeze my breast if he stops sucking.

[hollydfromtn]

Feb 16, 2015 10:25:01 GMT -5 misshart00 said:

I do what aggiebug does and feed one breast per feeding. I also kind of jiggle/squeeze my breast if he stops sucking.

^this. I feel like the added breast compression releases the milk without him actively sucking, so it's kind of a reminder for him to suck again as the milk fills his mouth.

[kcrosem]

Feb 16, 2015 10:37:16 GMT -5 hollydfromtn said:

Feb 16, 2015 10:25:01 GMT -5 misshart00 said:

I do what aggiebug does and feed one breast per feeding. I also kind of jiggle/squeeze my breast if he stops sucking.

^this. I feel like the added breast compression releases the milk without him actively sucking, so it's kind of a reminder for him to suck again as the milk fills his mouth.

This. The LC said that doing breast compressions helps empty the breast and breaks up the fatty milk still in the ducts which will help prevent clogs and get higher quality milk to baby. Also these are nice heated up for engorgment. Lansinoh THERA PEARL 3-in-1 Hot or Cold Breast Therapy 2 pack

[kartish]

DS falls asleep on one breast every time, we do a diaper change in between. I also have to rub his head and tickle him throughout the feeding, or he would only eat for about five minutes. It has been getting better though, I don't have to stimulate him quite as much anymore.

[Deleted]

One sided nursing may be all she needs. We are mammals and no other mammal switches sides at all.
Take her off when she stops sucking burp her sit her up at the waist tickle toes rub bridge of nose palm of hands and cool washcloth on the back of neck and toes. If you have high supply she may be getting lots of milk fast so one side nursing will help regulate suply faster. Breast compressions and massage can help speed the flow of milk and keep her nursing longer. If she's regained birthweight and gaining weight at 1/2-1 oz a day or 4-7 oz a week you can relax a bit about short feeds

[mishka29]

I struggled with the same issue as well bc DD1 never refused a boob and always ate both sides. DD2 however is a one boob per feed kinda gal. I've just had to come to terms with it even though my previous experience was so different. DD1 also NEVER spit up...that kid never wasted a drop! I do notice now at almost 3 weeks old LO will sometimes eat both sides so things are changing a bit.

Now if only I could get her to do two sides at night! She purses those lips and no nip is getting in there!

[beth1212]

My first was like this - when it was "time" to feed him per the clock, we'd actually strip him down naked, put cool washcloths on him, dance/wiggle him around, and sometimes he still slept. We always changed his diaper halfway through feeding - that often seemed to rouse him a bit so he'd eat more/longer. He was gaining well, so I eventually gave up and let him sleep until he was ready to wake. He was pretty big when born (almost 9 lbs) and I've heard that those babies can go for longer between feeds. Def. talk to your pedi about this, and an LC if you have one available to you. If your LO was on the big side and you have a great supply, she might just need one side and then she may not need to eat as frequently. Personally, I'd be trying to get her to drain one breast as much as possible rather than trying to hit both breasts. You don't want her to miss out on that hind milk.

[tee]

This is how my DD is (and how my DS was as a newborn too). Focus on one side at a time to make sure your LO gets the fatty milk too. Once your supply levels out, you may be able to feed both sides. My LO will usually take the second side for 2-3 minutes. . . Sometimes I do pump the other side (only to comfort!! I've only needed to do this a few times) if I'm uncomfortable. These were recommendations from 2 LC's I've met with.

[calliope]

Last time, my LC nurse at the hospital had me rub DS's ear. It stimulates their jaw to suck.
Also what PPs said, tickling, talking, undress, cool washcloth, etc.

[Rarity]

Thank you all for the great advice.

She was born a little early, she was full term, but born @ 38/4. She was back at her birth weight at 5 days old. I'm not sure of her weight now, she is almost 2 weeks old. We have an appt today (tuesday), but she is filling out well. She has a chubby double chin.

When she nurses, she tends to gulp loud and fast, and sometimes chokes/gags (especially in the beginning of taking each breast. I was on the phone with my dad, and even he heard her gulping while we were talking). She will unlach and she will have a mouth full of milk or its coming out the sides of her mouth.

When I do pump (or sometimes before nursing), I will apply warm packs to my breasts to help with the pain and open up my ducts.

I will try all the suggestions I have not done yet, and if she gets full on one side, I will accept that. The OCD in me wants her to nurse evenly both sides.