Newborns and sleeping

I know newborns sleep alot..(just wish it was at night! ). But yesterday, the only time DD was awake was to eat. She literally slept the entire day, either on my husband, on me, or on my grandmother. We did have a rough night, but I'm attributing that to the new feeding schedule since I was allowed to start breastfeeding this week. Should I be concerned with how much she is sleeping? I feel bad letting her sleep because I want to stimulate her during the day.

We also just started BF'ing Wednesday after getting the go ahead from the ped, she's doing pretty good with it (It's harder for me than her I think), but yesterday, especially later in the day and last night, she was wanting to eat about every 90 minutes or so. And when she does eat, she's on the breast for a good 30 minutes give or take 5 or 10 minutes. I know she's getting milk, but I would think that it would be enough to satisfy her. Last night before bed, I was so drained emotionally from the constant feeding that I gave her a bottle of formula, she scarfed that down, and then 10 minutes later was going after the breast and she ate there for another 15 minutes. Should I be concerned with this as well?

Sorry for the long post, I'm so overwhelmed.. much more than I thought I would be, and this sleep deprivation is wearing me real thin.

TIA!

Re: Newborns and sleeping

my dd slept alot its normal, thats when they grow. She was constantly wanting the breast.. it was soo emotionally and physically draining. Sometime babies use the breast as a paci so keep an eye out for that. The day time sleeping what you can do is make sure the room during day is well lite, bright, and at night make room really dark.. this may help her realize when its day and night to help with the confusion.

Breastfeeding is in no way easy IMO. I believe it takes alot of strength both physically and mentaly.. youll get stronger in both over time so dont worry!!

Re: Newborns and sleeping

That all sounds familiar to me!
They sleep a lot - and let her sleep when she wants to sleep. I made the mistake of trying to keep them up during the day - and that just made them cranky and overtired. As for the feeding thing - mine do that too - its normal, and there's actually a name for it - "cluster feeding." They want to eat every second between 7-11pm. (that the hours mine have, anyway.) I just started to do an earlier bedtime, and they go down pretty quickly at night. Keeping them alseep through the night, now thats a different story. Nightime sleeping has been a big issue for us. Lately they are only sleeping well if they are snuggled in our arms at night, which I do not want at all and am desperately trying to break them of the habit and get them sleeping in the crib, but the sleep deprivation gets to me and we give in.
Back to your question - from my short experience, everything you describe is normal. If you can emotionally handle it, try giving her the breast when she wants it instead of formula, it will help to build up your supply. But believe me, I totally understand your frustration. We give 1 bottle of formula at night, since we had to supplement from the beginning, they seem to associate the bottle with sleeping. I have gotten them totally off formula except for this one bottle.

Re: Newborns and sleeping

Look up my old posts, I felt the same way. But now that DD is almost 3 mths, I see the difference and I see how perfectly ok it was for her to sleep all day as a newborn, since she really wasn't even aware of too much around her anyway. But I felt the same way and still do at 3 mths, when DD sleeps alot (still does, but awake and alert much more).

Tell me about the sleep deprivation. I haven't slept more than 3 hrs straight since before I had DD. Much more tiring than I thought it would be too!

It's a little better now at 3 mths since DD skips one feeding at night finally.

Message edited 2/15/2009 9:57:18 AM.

Re: Newborns and sleeping

I feel your pain..DS was sleeping all day, then up for most of the night. Now he sleeps at night, but wakes up every 90 min or so to feed. I read (in What to Expect the First Year) that this is perfectly normal around 2 weeks of age because it's a growth spurt for them, and a way for us to increase our milk supply up to the level they need.

My ped told me that they get 95% of the milk in the first 10-15 minutes, so if DS is sucking for much more than that, it's purely for comfort, and to switch breasts. After about 20 minutes, they are only getting a trickle of milk, and that can lead to sore/cracked nipples.

I understand how you feel..I had no idea BFing would be so emotionally & physically draining..it's tough..and the lack of sleep since I went into labor doesn't help. I just want one night to sleep straight through lol I nap as much as I can when he sleeps..it helps a little. HTH

Re: Newborns and sleeping

It's perfectly normal for newborns to sleep for most of the day and night. As long as DD is waking to eat every 3 hours or so, don't worry about how much she sleeps.

BFing is so hard the first month or so. DS has always been a very slow eater although he has gotten a little bit better. He nurses for at least 45 minutes per session. There were times when I barely got a break during the first few weeks. Just keep doing what you're doing. Have you introduced a pacifier yet? You may want to so you can get more of a break. When DS was in the NICU, he was given a pacifier. It hasn't caused any latch issues or nipple confusion. Hang in there.

Re: Newborns and sleeping

I went through what you were going through not too long ago. DS is 3 months. The sleeping all day is completely normal, I used to feel like he slept 24 hours and just woke up throughout the day for feedings, those days are long gone now. Just make sure you are getting in the feedings every 2-3 hours, especially if you are breast feeding you will feel like that is all you are doing around the clock. Sometimes the feedings will take a while and before you know it they are back at it the next hour. My best advice for early on is sleep when your baby is sleeping!!

Re: Newborns and sleeping

Thank you everyone! I'm so glad to hear I'm not alone in feeling this way. I really did not expect to be this overwhelmed. My DD gets so worked up sometimes when it comes to feeding time that her cries send me into hysterics which I know is no good for either of us if I'm BF'ing. I have to keep reminding myself this is only day 4 of breastfeeding and it will hopefully get better.

We had some weight issues due to her jaundice issues last week, and I know she's getting what she needs given her weight gain when I was given the go ahead to BF. I'm hoping tomorrow when I go she's back to her birth weight.

Thanks again everyone!

Re: Newborns and sleeping

BFing is SO hard those first few weeks. If you really are committed- try not to supplement. The more she nurses, the better your supply will be. Don't watch the clock- go by dirty/wet diapers. At this stage- she should be pooping/peeing ALOT (every feeding usually). I promise, as they get older and your supply increases, she'll be more efficient and nurse for a shorter period of time.If you must give formula- PUMP to replace that feeding so your supply will increase.

It is EXHAUSTING in the beginning. My second daughter (who is now 3 months old) was nursing every 1.5 hours the first few days. Once my supply regulated, she went a little longer.

GL!!!