Sleepy, sleepy baby (not normal)

[scheelimama]

Piper has been especially sleepy the last 2 days. Could it be a growth spurt? She's been so alert since about 2 weeks (for the last 1.5 weeks), but now she's just sleeping and sleeping. Yesterday evening, I tried and tried to wake her up after she had been sleeping 3-4 hours. She refused to wake up. Today, she's nursed only 3 or 4 times since 6 a.m. when I got up. She's sleeping for 3-4 hour stretches and no amount of diaper changing, stripping, etc. is waking her up. This is a huge pattern deviation from the past 2 weeks. But I'm assuming maybe it's just a growth spurt? But she wasn't nursing a whole lot extra for the few days before this sleepiness. I have a light stomach virus today (no fever, no vomiting, but stomach cramps and excessive diarrhea), I'm wondering if she is sleeping extra to fight it. Should I start to be concerned? I'm going to resort to putting her in the bathtub if she's still sleeping by 6 tonight, so she'll be awake for a few hours before bedtime.

[*Lindsey*]

No thoughts Alisha, but I didn't want to read and not respond.

[GinaRae]

Could be because of the virus? But judst an FYI, Lachlan is sleeping today - a huge first. I am fairly engorged because usually he's eating all morning but today he's only fed a couple of times. Though he did have two alert times today, so watch her

[scheelimama]

Originally Posted by GinaRae

Could be because of the virus? But judst an FYI, Lachlan is sleeping today - a huge first. I am fairly engorged because usually he's eating all morning but today he's only fed a couple of times. Though he did have two alert times today, so watch her

Well, that's good to hear since our babies have followed pretty similar patterns and we're born just 24 hours apart or so.

She decided to finally wake up right after I posted this, so she's been totally awake for the last (almost) 2 hours now. She usually has about 6 hours of awake time now (three 2 hour stretches throughout the day), but I think we're only going to get one alert period today. Unless she falls asleep soon and then wakes up later, which I won't be too thrilled about. She had no alert time yesterday. Just woke up to nurse and immediately went back to sleep. It was starting to bother me, just because it's not normal for her.

[chubbycheeks]

My LO is just over 5 weeks and most days he has *very* little alert time still, but that has been the way he has always been since birth. I am becoming a bit concerned myself, as he seems to be awake so little. I can see how you would be concerned if this isn't her normal pattern. Hugs coming your way, thinking of you.

[Isaac'sMa]

No thoughts on this one...just sending hugs your way.

[Curlita]

No brilliant ideas, but it could be a variety of your virus (or fighting it off) or just one of those weird baby things, where they change it up just when you think you know their pattern. See what she does tomorrow... I bet she'll have a new schedule by then, but if she doesn't then you might want to take her to the doc just to make sure things are fine.

[bri276]

does she look jaundiced? I had a VERY sleepy jaundiced baby. she outgrew it and perked up. breastfeeding jaundice is perfectly normal and fine, but if she looks really orange/yellow I'd try to get her some sunlight and encourage the feedings.

[renaissanceed]

We've had a similar day - he just spent all day waking up crying & then nursing back to sleep almost instantly. And then he was awake for 2 hours after DD went to sleep :

I do think he's fighting off the cold that DD & DH have so Piper could bedoing the same. Hope she's feeling better tomorrow.