In a message dated 3/26/02 6:49:37 AM Pacific Standard Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:


> When I go through the history, there is nearly
> always a situation where the mother has assumed that this baby had taken
> enough milk, as demonstrated by the fact that he had slept for long periods.
> The small proportion of babies who don't do this usually want to breastfeed
> "all day long" and so the mothers again assume that they are "getting
> enough."  But the large majority of moms report that in the beginning the
> babies sleep, and sleep, and sleep!  Since I do hospital visits too, I
> believe them, because I also see some of these newborns sleeping *very* long
> periods.  Our hospitals are very relaxed about this.  There is no question
> of babies being given *any* formula at all so they are left to their own
> devices, right next to their mothers day and night, and everyone trusts to
> Nature!
>

Pam, and others who have been commenting on this topic,
What I see is being confused is the perception of the 'sleepy baby" is a
healthy one who is getting enough to eat.
I agree that mothers should know the difference between a healthy infant who
is sleeping because they are full and satisfied and the baby who is trying to
survive.  But waking babies by a clock, in deep sleep to feed will only make
matters more exasperating for the new parents and not necessarily resolve the
problem.
I feel the emphasis in teaching the parents WHEN to wake the baby is more
important than by TIME only.  All the suggestions previously mentioned should
be reinforced: not to swaddle, not too warm, keep baby close by,
skin-to-skin, know signs of light sleep and other feeding cues.  I would very
much discourage an infant placed in another part of the home and using a baby
monitor in the early days.  Once the baby has well established good weight
gains and is old enough to let their parents know their needs, then the
parents could think about this type of separation.

Please do not get into the phrase "It's time for the baby to eat" based on
the clock.  I see this happening all the time and the parents are so
discouraged and very worried because the baby won't stay awake to feed.
INSTEAD: I would rather say if the baby has been sleeping greater than 3
hours, pick up the baby, unwrap them, place skin-to-skin, and gently
stimulate them when they move into light sleep.  If the babies don't respond
to this and continue to be too sleepy well then this would be a red flag to
call for help.
I hope this clarifies the difference from waking the sleepy baby and waking
by the clock.
Thanks,
Ann Perry RN, IBCLC
Boston, MA

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