* make sure your free hand is supporting your breast so the weight of the breast isn't on the baby's chin
* switch breasts as soon as the baby begins to lose interest in active nursing, this *may* need to be done every 30 to 60 seconds at first (the first few times you do it). You should begin to see a difference within a couple days of doing this.
* Burp and change diaper. Burping should be done with the baby sitting supported upright on mom's knee or lap rather than over the shoulder because it's also less sleep-inducing.
* nurse in clutch or "football" hold as opposed to cradle hold - it's a little less "cuddly" and sleep-inducing.
* massage the baby's head (crown) in a circular motion while nursing. Also using a wet cold washcloth and wiping back against the grain of the hair growth can help Try this for several days and see if there's improvement, and please update us as you can.
* Place baby on your lap with legs near your tummy and head on your knees. Gently supporting baby, raise in sitting position, like doing a "sit- up". Do this two or three times, then do "side to side" a couple times.
It sounds like you are really trying everything that you can- tickling the baby, undressing him, changing his diaper... All that I can say is to keep going and don't give up- as annoying as it may be you just have to keep nudging him and waking him up so that he dosen't associate your breast with sleep. If you can't wake him that pull him off of you and try again when he is awake. Another option is for you to pump off the milk and let your husband feed him from the bottle so that he gets the milk for atleast 1 feeding so that you can get some much needed rest. He will still be nursing the other times this is just to give you a break. I wish I would have done this from the very beginning.
It is really crucial to remember that babies have the natural need to suck so it may help to give him a pacifier if you feel that he is only sucking to soothe himself and not to eat.
Th etruth is that the first 3 months are the most difficult and I remember feeking like a cow- nursing all day and night- but it gets much better. When you feel really stressed out try to remember both of you are going through a HUGE adjustment- you have a new baby and your baby is outside the warm, cozzy womb where he has been for 10 months- so there is an adjustment period for both of you.
If all else fails there is another option which my mom told me about when I was going through the exact same thing- take the baby into bed with you so that you can get more rest- I found this to be a life saver since I was extremely sleep deprived and I had to be at work early the next morning.
