falling asleep at the breast

[Candle]

Hello everyone,

This is my first time posting. I'm new to BW and have a almost 6 week old. She sleeps well at night (wakes up every 3-4 hours to eat) and sleeps in someone's arms or the swing (rarely) during the day. When i put her in her crib, she wakes up and is fussy. This was not the case in the beginning as all she wanted to do was sleep and eat and i could plop her down anywhere. She got used to people holding her (she's the first grandchild in my family) so I think that's why she likes to be held when she sleeps during the day.

So I am reading BW before implementing it but i had an important question- my baby stays on one  breast for 10-20 minutes max (mostly 10 minutes). She gains well (at least a half a lb a week) but falls asleep at the breast every single time. I keep her on there since she does still suck. She pulls off after about 10 minutes. Then she refuses to be burped and only wants to lay inclined horizontally in my arms so she can sleep deeply for 5 minutes, after which she wakes up and is in the best mood.

So my question is how do I implement EASY if there is nothing I can do to get her to not fall asleep at my breast. My concern is that her sleep time at my breast is cutting into her nap time. If she's still sucking at the breast, does that mean she's not really deeply sleeping so I shouldn't worry too much? Again, her diapers and weight gain are no concern.

A side note: there is a slight reflux issue (she doesn't cry, i can just tell it bothers her) so I have started pumping for a minute before offering her my breast since she doesn't stay on for that long and I was concerned she was getting too much foremilk (which can acid reflux issues).


Any advice is appreciated. thanks!!

[Jocasta]

Have you checked out this faq: http://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=63428.0

[A pair of Charlies]

Ha ha!! Was just about to post the very same thing! 

My LO was a very very sleepy feeder. And only slept on me for the first 7 weeks, occasionally in his crib at night after a lot of trickery on my part. So hugs. I understand the wanting to let him sleep, I do. But they get a little comfy.... and heavier.

I tried a lot of things to keep him awake during a feed and to wake him up after a feed so that he didn't get too used to being fed to sleep (aside from the trickery in the dark hours). Please bear in mind that my LO's feeds took 45 mins to an hour.... I was nodding off out of boredom.

Things that worked for me: stopping mid feed (when he dosed off), sitting him on my lap so his eyes popped open, changing his nappy, change of scene briefly and then back to the feed. Also stripped him down to his nappy sometimes (or just loosened off clothing so he was cooler), tickled his feet or hands, touched his nose and lots of eye contact & talking.

But he still fell asleep a lot. After a feed, I would usually wake him up (unless tricking him into crib    slap my own hands). Sitting the little love on your knee or lap, holding them up to sitting position (supporting neck a little) usually makes their little eyes pop open. But they can dose off again... so it can be a battle. 

As for napping.... I got into using a swaddle to get him to stay in a crib, using shh patt to settle him down. He got into the habit after a week, but it was painful crying at first. Easier to do this when they're young though. Not sure what your napping environment's like, but my LO needed dark and quiet (with music / background noise) and would not sleep in a moses basket for anything! That or on my chest while I watched House, Grays and Grand Designs. 

HTH

Charlotte

[Candle]

Thanks for the quick responses! The FAQs helped a lot. You know, for some reason, it never dawned on me to relatch dd after she wakes up from her 'power nap' after the initial feeding. I also didn't realize it's ok for newborns not to have activity time longer than diaper changes because more than can be overstimulating, which i think was happening in my case. let's see how it goes now...