Feeding FAQ: 0-8 weeks – Breast Feeding

My 3-week-old baby is awake at night and only sleeps well in the day

Lowri will not settle in the evening but wants to feed on and off between 9.30 and midnight (or beyond). She then sleeps and wakes for a feed between 2am and 4am. After this she is wide awake until 6.30/7.30am when she falls deeply asleep for hours. She is impossible to wake up. I try and wake her by stripping her off, putting her under the baby gym and rattling toys at her, but it only results in a few seconds awake time before falling asleep again. She then doesn’t sleep well in the afternoon. It is difficult to give accurate sleeping times and I am in despair about settling her into a routine. I already have one child who went into the routines after a while, but at least knew the difference between night and day.
Lowri weighed 8lb at birth and 9lbs 9ozs at 3 weeks.

Lowri certainly seems a little muddled by day and night. It is not uncommon in babies of this age but can be difficult to cope with, especially if you have another child.
Firstly check your milk supply. It would appear that it is all right as Lowri has gained weight well in three weeks, but as she still isn’t feeding at regular times throughout the day, and she is possibly in a three week growth spurt, your breasts are not being stimulated fully yet, having to cope with prolonged on/off feeding in the evening. By this time of day you are tired and your supply will be getting low.
Offer Lowri both breasts at 5pm and then give her a top up after her bath of either expressed breast milk or formula, rather than trying to feed her again.
By this time of day many mothers find their supply is low especially second time round when they cannot rest so much in the day. Getting her settled in the evening will help her sleep better in the night and not be so exhausted in the day. At present she is becoming thoroughly over tired in the evenings and your supply is unable to keep up through the constant feeding. This circle will continue so your main priority is getting Lowri fed and settled by 7pm.
When Lowri wakes for her next feed around 10pm feed her for no more then 30-40 minutes and then top her up straight away. Don’t wait to see if she will settle before offering the top up as this is losing you time to sleep as well. This top up can either be of expressed breast milk or formula. Make sure you have the lights dimmed and everything quiet so Lowri begins to realise that night time is for sleeping.
When Lowri wakes in the night, keep everything as low key and dark as possible. Don’t change her unless absolutely essential as this will only rouse her more. Once fed, swaddle her and put her down even if she still is awake. If she is in your room, get back into bed and try to at least doze if she is quiet. Some babies will drop off if it is dark enough. If she does begin to protest, hold her against you whilst sitting in bed supported by pillows. If you are comfortable and relaxed she is more likely to relax and become sleepy too. Dealing with these “night owl” babies is not easy when you are tired yourself, so by making yourself as comfortable as possible, you are helping her.
If this night waking continues to be a problem, try giving the feed as a bottle of either expressed milk or formula for two or three nights. If Lowri then settles quicker, you will know it is a supply problem. To increase your supply, follow the plan laid out in The New Contented Baby Book p52.
Even if she is very sleepy at 7/7.30am because of being awake earlier, try to give her a small feed. Open the curtains at this time so she becomes used to the beginning of the day.
Throughout the day try to rouse her at feed times by removing her clothes and feeding her without a sleep suit on. If she appears to be dropping off whilst feeding her, unlatch her and put her down on the floor away from your and your warmth. Lay her on a sheet and let her come round, which babies invariably do. You may have to repeat this throughout the feed but it will help you and Lowri, if her daytime feeds become more regular.
Babies who are in muddles about day and night can be very draining to care for. The resulting tiredness for you can easily lead to a lower supply of milk. A vicious circle soon emerges. Get as much help as you can with your other child by day. Rest as much as possible, eat and drink plenty of water to help you through this time.