1 week old born at 36 weeks and sleeps ALL day

[missangie]

I feel weird posting in the premature baby section since my son was almost full term but I am wondering if it is normal for him to be sleeping ALL day. Literally, he maybe had his eyes open for MAYBE 30 min. total today. He is a week old today and was born at 36 weeks 4 days (thats by the date of LMP if you go by date of ovulation he would be 36 weeks exactly)

I have to wake him up for every feeding, I do so every 2.5-3 hours and I have to really work at keeping him awake to nurse (stripping him to his diaper, tickling him, moving his arm, etc...) I met with a lactation nurse and he is gaining weight which is great so she said not to worry about his eating, just to keep working at keeping him awake to nurse.

I guess Im just wondering if this sleepiness is normal and if so, any idea when I can expect him to be more alert throughout the day?

 

[hawalkden]

Totally normal. Isaac was a 35 weeker was in nicu for 3 weeks & hot him home & he slept just like your lo . He started feeling and being more awake during tge day at around 5-6 weeks x

 

[Sophiesmommie]

Like hawalkden said it's completely normal Sophie was born a little over month 35+6 all she did was sleep I had to wake her up for her feedings some times via cool washcloth. About a week and a half ago she started being more alert and staying awake longer. If your having to much trouble strip him down to his diaper to have him nurse I did that with Sophie and it did the trick she was very awake then.

 

[missangie]

thanks for your replies!

how old is sophie now sophiesmommy?

I do have to strip him to his diaper which gets him to wake up just enough to latch on and then begins the task of using a cool washcloth to touch him to keep him eating, or wiggling his arm, tickling his feet, etc. Feedings are going pretty well, I do feel like I can get him to stay awake enough to eat what he should for the most part and I wasnt worried about the amount he sleeps until Ive now had a few people who come over and are with him say something about it!

 

[Sophiesmommie]

Sophie is 33 days old corrected age 4 days.

 

[Cazzyg]

My 36 weeker was much the same for the first few weeks...then it changed spectacularly!

She was a little jaundiced ehcih can make them sleepier. If that's the case, then try and make sure he gets plenty of sunlight. I used to put her in her crib in front of the window.

 

[SabrinaKat]

It was the same with Finn whilst he was in NICU (born at 36wks), but they changed the teat and he was able to get more milk when he was awake -- at home, now 7wks tomorrow, he drinks his bottle within 1/2 hour and usually on a 3-hour schedule (at the moment, not, as perhaps having a growth spurt aka 'Mr. Cranky')!

best wishes (and hang in there!)

 

[littlestar85]

Sounds normal to me. My LO was born at exactly 36 weeks and although the first few weeks are a blur I remember him pretty much sleeping the whole time apart from breastfeeds. He had jaundice which was part of the reason too. x

 

[JadeyB]

Hi there,

My term baby (37+3) was like this and he had prolonged breastfeeding jaundice. I used to have to wake him for feeds. He soon caught on though. Xx