Sleepy Baby

Sleepy Baby

Babies are sleepy after birth for a variety of reasons such as labor medications and the birth process itself. Your baby will be alert and eager to nurse the first couple of hours after birth, and then fall into a sleepy phase.
You'll need to arouse a sleepy baby for feedings eight to ten times in a 24 hour period, until he is able to set his own schedule of demanding to be fed. Why wake a sleepy baby? He needs to practice! Also, sleepy babies tend to get sleepier when feedings are missed, rather than active and frantically hungry (as we might expect).
A baby is easier to arouse if he is in a state of light sleep. You'll be able to tell this by noticing more stirring or sucking movements. His eyelids may flutter meaning he is in dream sleep. He may breathe harder or more irregularly, and startle more easily. It is during this time when gentle rousings will make him more awake.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR WAKING A SLEEPY BABY

1. Unwrap your baby. Take those warm snugly blankets off!
2. Change his diaper ( even if not needed).
3. Clean your baby's cord with an alcohol swab.
4. Rub his spine, shoulder blades, bottom of feet, and head.
5. Wash your baby's face with a warm wash cloth.
6. Burp him away from your body. (Sit him in your lap, supported, instead of letting him cuddle into your body or shoulder.)
7. Rhythmically sit him up and lay him down supporting his head and back. (Careful not to jackknife him.)

We hope these recommendations help arouse your baby so he is more alert and eager to breastfeed!

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