falling asleep on the job

[evypet]

Hello all!  Its my first post and my first baby so I hope im doing it right!
My 5 week old beautifull baby boy is always falls asleep on the breast, how bad is it and how can I stop, its causing me to be used as a dummy. also if they are not falling asleep how can you tell when they are done.  I try to pull out before he falls asleep then he just cries for more! Help.

[Caroline-Charlies Mummy]

Hello, welcome, nice to 'meet' you,

Firstly this is totally NORMAL, it drives you mad, but when they are so little, it's what they do! Charlie did this for ages.

Secondly, are you using the EASY routine yet (I know your lo's only tiny, so no pressure). The reason I ask is that Charlie only stopped doing this when we started on the routine. He was falling asleep on my breast b/c, bless him, he was tired. As soon as he started having proper naps in the day, and sleeping better at night, he was less tired at feeding time, and the sleepy sucking stopped.

Also, the feeds become shorter b/c he was awake for them & therefore more efficient!

Please don't worry, it sounds like you're doing fine. Your baby is still only tiny and (you're both) learning these things from scratch, it does get better. Keep on this site, there's loads of advice here, and, if you haven't already, get hold of Tracy's book, I think she deals with this subject in there.

HTH!
Caroline

[isaac'smom]

Hello,

Have you tried tickling his feet, blowing gently on his cheek, rubbing his ears, etc to keep him awake so that he gets a full feeding? I know how hard it can be to keep a sleepy baby awake, especially when they're all cosy against you and sucking.

As far as knowing when he's done eating, I would look for quick little sucks instead of the long sucks that he does when he's really hungry and eating like mad. It sounds like you're trying to pull him off before he falls asleep, which is great. You said he still cries when you take him off - do you offer both sides? He could require both sides - Some people suggest single side feeding, but I always did both sides - whatever works for you little guy.

He could also have a strong desire to suck, as most newborns do and be using you as a pacifier. Have you tried a pacifier? It may become a prop later on, but if him using you as a pacifier is bothering you (I can completely empathize!) it may help you feel better.

Do you have a lactation consulant in your area (ours was based out of the hospital)? I found a LC to be so helpful. The La Leche League is also a good resource - you can check out the website:

http://www.lalecheleague.org

HTH! Good luck and just know that it does get easier.

Karen
 

[Erin (redstarfalling)]

Some good advice already! 

One thing I would want to check, however, is that he's gaining weight well, particularly before starting a pacifier.  You didn't say anything about sore nipples, so if he's gaining weight well, then it's likely he's latching well.  Sometimes when babies don't latch properly, they don't get enough milk so they tend to fall asleep on the breast (just too tired to eat!).  He SHOULD be sleeping much of the time, but does he also have some awake time during the day? If you can try feeding him when he first wakes (the start of EASY) then he'll hopefully be more alert and take a fuller feed.  As Karen said, look for the long slow sucks where he's actually eating.  When these change to small little sucks, you can use breast compression to increase the flow - might also perk him up!  I also found it helpful to switch sides when my dd got sleepy, and either do a diaper change half way through or at the end of the feed.

[evypet]

Thank you all for your replies!
I do have the book and desperatly trying to get through it-should have started it b4 the baby came along when time wouldnt fly! 
Its been 2 days that ive tried to implement easy, its not so bad, I know it doesnt happen over night so Im just trying to be patient.  Day 2 seems to have more of a pattern than day 1 so fingers crossed we are heading in the right direction.
Thanx again