5 days old, change in sleeping and eating habits

So my little one is 5 days old. The last 2 days she'd take naps during the day but not very long unless she was being held. She's also been rooting like crazy and I've been calling her hungry hippo. We've been trying to nurse but it hasn't been going very well - she's very aggressive and doesn't open her mouth wide enough and keeps slipping down to the nipple. We started supplementing with formula yesterday and I began pumping today to keep up supply until I can see the lactation consultant tomorrow.

Well today she has been sleeping ALL DAY and hasn't been hungry except this morning! I think we woke up at 8am, we gave her a little formula, and then she's been out like a light since for like 5 or 6 hours. I woke her up around 11 for some pumped breastmilk but she only had an ounce. I just woke her up again at 1ish for more breastmilk and she took an ounce but she hasn't been rooting or showing any other hunger signs when I wake her up.

Why is she so different today? Is this normal? She has no fever and seems generally happy but can't keep her eyes open and isn't hungry although she will eat when she's offered something. I know it's normal for babies to sleep a lot but what concerns me is that it's such a change compared to the last 2 days.

Re: 5 days old, change in sleeping and eating habits

I wouldn't worry as long as she seems content.

Re: 5 days old, change in sleeping and eating habits

At 5 days old, nothing is predictable and it will be TOTALLY unpredictable for the next few weeks. At 5 days old, your babies eyes should barely be open. They sleep basically the entire day - and ususally through feedings, too. And at 5 days old, I wouldn't expect much more than an oz or so at a feeding. Sounds pretty normal to me!

Re: 5 days old, change in sleeping and eating habits

Re: 5 days old, change in sleeping and eating habits

I wouldn't wake her to eat. She probably is not eating more because you are waking her and she is not hungry. My ped told us a sleeping baby is a growing baby and at this age, if they are hungry, they will root and let you know! She might be full and that is why she is not eating.

As for the BFing, I don't know if your LC will recommend it, but the nipple shield saved us and tomorrow, I will be EBFing one month! Definitely ask about it because BFing was not going well that first week either and I had to supplement as well.

Also, formula is more filling than BM. BM is digested easily so she could still be full.

I wouldn't worry-she sounds normal! And congrats!

Re: 5 days old, change in sleeping and eating habits

i wouldn't worry at all!! only 5 days in anything goes. it's going to be a whilebefore you see anything truly consistent and predictable!

Re: 5 days old, change in sleeping and eating habits

As long as there are plenty of wet and dirty diapers, she's fine. I don't agree with not waking for feedings during the day, though.

I truly believe that waking them to feed every 3 hours during the day helps them more quickly acclimate their day vs. night schedules.