Sleepy feeder

[mischief79]

Im a brand new mummy, and my main concern is feeding.
DD is only 9 days old. In the hospital she fed perfectly. Maybe I was more relaxed cos there were midwives around? Now that we've been home a few days, she seems to conk out at the end of one side. She's not asleep, seems more like she's drunk (!!!). She'll take one side for about 5-10 minutes, doze, and thrn about half an hour later want the other side. Is this normal feeding? Should she be doing both sides in one sitting?
Also, is it best to feed her as soon as she wakes up, or should I let a little time go by.

[mumma bear]

You are right, they are actually in a state of drunkenness. You release hormones in your milk which makes them sleepy. My Mum says they are milk drunk.

What i do is feed as soon as they wake up, then burp, then whilst they are in their drunk stage change their nappy or do something else to rouse them enough to get them onto the otherside. If they are really asleep then i put them to bed but i spend at least 10 to 15 mins trying to wake bub to get them to take the otherside. This promotes healthy feed patterns and prevents snack feeding which can be a vicious cycle.

You will find once bub becomes more alert falling asleep on the boob will be a thing of the past. There will be moments when you wished it still worked, there have been for me.

[astrogirlsz]

I was having a similar problem in hosital and one of the midwives said not to wrap her up when she is feeding (just cover their little feet so they don't get too cold) and rub her skin and talk to her to try and keep her alert.

Now she's home she's not so bad but if she is looking sleepy i take her off and burb her to wake her up a bit & put her back on.

[astrogirlsz]

I burp her not burb her!

[mischief79]

I think I'm going to try one side when she wakes up, then half hour or so when she's properley awake offer the other side. A top up before going back dwn seems to work too.

Does the way they feed give hiccups? DD seems to get them all the time

Astrogirlz..... your bubs was born the day after mine!

[cheezelz]

Hey missy. Hiccups are the babies way of relieving themselves of wind. It doesnt matter how much time and dedication you give to your baby between and after feeds to get rid of wind there can always be some left over and hiccups and their only way to combat it. It does cause more concern in parents than stress in the bub but there is no need to worry.