You need to be waking baby after 2 hours during the day. This is 2 hours from the beginning of the session to the beginning of the next session. At night baby may have 1 stretch of sleep that is 4 hours long and wake after 4 hours.
Baby needs to be BF AT LEAST 10 times in 24 hours - this early 12 or more times in 24 hours is normal.
"Frequent nursing encourages good milk supply and reduces engorgement. Aim for nursing at least 10 - 12 times per day (24 hours). You CAN'T nurse too often--you CAN nurse too little.
Nurse at the first signs of hunger (stirring, rooting, hands in mouth)--don't wait until baby is crying. Allow baby unlimited time at the breast when sucking actively, then offer the second breast. Some newborns are excessively sleepy at first--wake baby to nurse if 2 hours (during the day) or 4 hours (at night) have passed without nursing.
Is baby getting enough milk?
Weight gain: Normal newborns may lose up to 7% of birth weight in the first few days. After mom's milk comes in, the average breastfed baby gains 6 oz/week (170 g/week). Take baby for a weight check at the end of the first week or beginning of the second week. Consult with baby's doctor and your lactation consultant if baby is not gaining as expected.
Dirty diapers: In the early days, baby typically has one dirty diaper for each day of life (1 on day one, 2 on day two...). After day 4, stools should be yellow and baby should have at least 3-4 stools daily that are the size of a US quarter (2.5 cm) or larger. Some babies stool every time they nurse, or even more often--this is normal, too. The normal stool of a breastfed baby is loose (soft to runny) and may be seedy or curdy.
Wet diapers: In the early days, baby typically has one wet diaper for each day of life (1 on day one, 2 on day two...). Once mom's milk comes in, expect 5-6+ wet diapers every 24 hours. To feel what a sufficiently wet diaper is like, pour 3 tablespoons (45 mL) of water into a clean diaper. A piece of tissue in a disposable diaper will help you determine if the diaper is wet."
more here including what is normal the first 6 weeks: http://www.kellymom.com/bf/normal/newborn-nursing.html#week1
Some tips for sleepy baby:
If your baby is sleepy here are some suggestions to help keep the baby awake and interested:
- 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.
- You can also try breast compression.
You may want to reduce any outside or excessive stimulation. (bright lights & noise) Sometimes babies just need to tune out all the noise/light and they do this by falling asleep.
If you are uncomfortable you can hand express. How to hand express here: http://www.breastfeeding.com/helpme/helpme_images_expression.html
The milk that is hand expressed can be frozen or fed to baby now via spoon, cup dropper etc. if baby does not have a good feeding. You want to avoid bottles for the first 4 weeks or so.
I want to point out that for you as well as lurkers that the economic benefits of breastfeeding extend beyond the cost of formula. BF babies have lower medical bills through out thier lives. Also since BF is the biologocal norm, there are also health benefits for mom (lower rates of certain cancers, lower rates of cardiovascular problems later in life, less diabetes and more).
Take a look at the info and follow up with questions.
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