Newborns need to have 8-12 effective feeds in 24 hours to gain adequate weight, maintain milk supply and avoid jaundice. If a baby sleeps longer than 4-5 hours or falls asleep without actively sucking for at least 10-15 minutes, you may need to awaken and encourage baby to breastfeed more often.
Waking Techniques
- Wake baby in light sleep cycle, look for any movement his eyes, face and body. Unwrap and pick up.
- Dim lights
- Talk to baby
- Unwrap, undress - skin to skin
- Sit upright
Keeping baby interested
- Express milk onto baby's lips
- Switch breasts when sucking slows, use let downs resulting in more milk for baby
- Change nappy/burp
- Try football/cross cradle hold
- Massage baby's crown in circular motion while feeding
Stimulation
- Rub, pat, walk fingers up spine
- Change nappy
- Move arms and legs in bicycle motion
- Skin to skin contact
- Wipe face with a cool cloth
- Circle babies lips with fingers
Possible Cause
- Drugs from labour and birth
- Medical causes: diabetic mum, jaundice
- Poor latching, slow milk flow
- Full breasts, unable to latch
- Too much stimulation. Avoid loud noises and bright lights
