Newborn sleepiness or lethargy?

[Dory85]

My daughter had been really sleepy today. Last night she let me put her down without fuss at about 7pm and I woke her for a feed at 10 ish. She woke at 0130 for a feed and then slept til 1100 when she shouted out so I changed and fed her.
I woke her again at 1600 to change and feed her.

She is rouseable and feeds sleepily without trouble but is sleeping heavily between feeds without always waking herself for them. She is still squirming before she possett but is quite happy to be placed down to sleep which is quite unusual for her. She's also still having plenty of wet nappies.

I can't decide whether I'm being neurotic (my son was admitted for lethargy and feeding difficulties as a newborn and it turned out to be viral meningitis) or if I should get her to a doctor.

She is 4 weeks old but 38 weeks gestationally.

Thoughts - normal sleepiness and neurotic mother or something a bit more concerning?

 

[LoraLoo]

I don't think you can be neurotic when it comes to babies, get her checked out. At this stage they do sleep a lot, which can make it difficult to tell if it's normal bsby sleepiness or baby being poorly. Go with your instincts and err on the side of caution, they'll always be happy to check a baby over.

 

[Tegans Mama]

What Lora said. Going from 1am until 11am between feeds is far too long at 4 weeks old imo. Good luck x

 

[noon_child]

Thats only 4 feeds in 21hours. I'd say that doesn't sound like enough. Is this a change in her behaviour or has she always gone 5+ hours between feeds?

 

[loeylo]

Id get them checked too. Not due to the feeds, my wee one was only taking 5-6 feeds per day at that age (large feeds though) and started sleeping through the night for maybe 8-10 hour stretches, and she was always a really sleepy baby. That being said if it isn't normal for your wee one then definitely get it checked.

 

[Twinmum87]

Every time my boy got more sleepy and reduced or refusal to feed it turned out to be a UTI. Thou meningitis was the first thing they suspected. One at 6 days old, one at 6 weeks old and another at 17 weeks old. If it isn't normal for your baby I would suggest calling the health visitor and asking for advise, or the out of hours GP. If she begins to completely refuse feeds or even more sleepy or you just feel like something isn't right then go to A&E. See if any hospitals near you have a childrens A&E as you will get seen faster.

 

[Twinmum87]

Could also just be she picked up a little viral bug and is fighting it off but with the reduced feeding you need to keep an eye for signs of dehydration. Hope she is back to her usual self soon!

 

[babyjan]

How is she now? Hope all is ok x