Breastfeeding newborn

[Asia24]

Hi everyone. I am a proud mother of our first baby boy born just over two weeks ago. I have chosen to breastfeed and want to make it work but I find that my son, unless very hungry, tends to snack or sleep at my breast quite often. This usually means that there are shorter stretches between mealtimes and more time spent trying to encourage him to feed. Is there anything I can do to make breastfeeding more efficient for both of us or should I just let him feed at his own pace until he gets a little older. As well, at what point in time will I be able to set some sort of breastfeeding schedule so that we can get more sleep during the night. Thanks:)

[lisi's mum]

First off congratulations and welcome 

At this age babies are very sleepy, and have very little stomachs meaning that it is important to go with their cues rather than the clock. You can encourage him to stay awake whilst feeding by trying to keep his attention, talking, stroking his face, massaging his hand...

I sometimes made two "courses" - so fed, nappy change when Lisi was no longer really drinking and looking dopey, then feed again (from the same breast as I was single side feeding). Sometimes she would have renewed interest, sometimes not and wanted to sleep.

You'll probably find that by 6 to 8 weeks he's much more awake and he'll have established a schedule, be that 2 hrs, 2.5, 3hrs. Some night wakings are to be expected, but they get much much easier to deal with as your body clock adjusts to the new situation too.

A great advantage of breast feeding at night (over formula feeding) is that you produce a great slug of the hormone oxytocin, a powerful sedative meaning both you and your baby get back off to sleep all the quicker.

Enjoy this special time!

[Samuel's mum]

Hi there and congratulations.
As Katie says he is still at the age where he is likely to be very very sleepy. But it won't last forever.

He is working hard on building up your milk supply which is why it's really important to listen to his hunger cues as you are doing. The first few weeks also contain lots of growth spurts when he's likely to feed even more frequently.

Katie's explained everything but if you haven't noticed this you might find it useful:
https://babywhispererforums.com/index.php?topic=64627.0

[shelliz]

Just wishing you luck and wanted to encourage you to hang in there! There are soooo many rewards to bf'ing and he WILL catch on and get on more of a schedule and time goes on!

Keep up the great work momma!!

  Shelby

[daisymelan]

Congrats.  Sounds like you are both doing a wonderful job.   

[Erin (redstarfalling)]

Congrats and good luck!  We're here for you! 

[RachelC]

Congratulations, and welcome to the boards