when will my sleepy baby wake up?

[lizzylou]

My 36 weeker is 6.5 weeks now and she still is sleeping around the clock. She has maybe two long awake periods (an hour or so) each day. Other than that she pretty much sleeps or is trying to get back to sleep. This has made feeding a real struggle since she's still on an NG tube and I'm trying to get her on a bottle.

She had so many tests run in the NICU and everything came back normal, so I don't think the sleep is a problem except that it's interfering with her learning to eat.

Just wondering when other early babies started to wake up.

[KateDavies45]

My dd was 34 weeks. Around 7.5 weeks she started to wake up more and have longer alert times. The best one is usually late in the morning after she's had a good morning feed. As long as she's eating (and having several wet diapers/stools) a day and she's gaining weight I wouldn't worry too much if I were you. enjoy the long sleeping periods while they last. My guess is that that's natures way of letting uber stressed out preemie mom try to get some rest! =)

[SilverFish]

yeah, if i recall correctly, (and i may not be), my 35 weeker took about a month after her due date to really wake up. it is somewhat surprising to me that your dd is still on the ng tube though. mine only had it for a few days after she was born. did the hospital say anything about that? of course, all babies grow at their own rate, which is why some 34 weekers don't need any nicu time, and some 39 weekers have trouble breathing. i guess she still has some maturing and developing to do, and she'll wake up when she's ready.

[pigirl]

My 34 weeker slept for at least his first 6 weeks or so.  He'd wake up if he was hungry, and then nurse himself quickly back to sleep.  I remember hearing other moms with babies his age talk about "playing with their babies," and I'd be like "when?!"  Your baby stays awake after he finishes eating?  How odd.  He came out of it quite gradually, I'd say over the next couple of months, although even at 2 years old he still keeps a sleep schedule like that of a younger child.  He consistently took more naps than other kids his age, had shorter awake periods/earlier naps than other kids his age, etc.  I'm sorry it's making it harder for your daughter to learn how to eat-- that's got to be frustrating.  I hope things get easier for you soon.