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My nurse always said to undress the baby a bit... make them a little cool and uncomfy, so they stay awake. For me, it also helped to hold the baby loosely, to allow them to have that startle reflex where their arms flail, because the startle reflex will usually wake them up enough to re-latch. Also, my nurses said to insert an index finger into the baby's mouth and "tickle" the roof of their mouth- this gets the suck reflex going again. Hope it helps...good luck!

At the hospital the nurses showed me how to tickle her cheek or her jaw bone. Just very gently touch his cheek or jaw and encourage him to start sucking again. He's getting plenty - don't worry about your supply or him not eating enough. If he needed more he'd wake up hungry and crying. Trust your body and your son - you're doing fine!

I've read that bright lights might encourage them to close their eyes too...might try feeding in low light area....but what do I know...I haven't delivered yet! :-)

But to stop eating after 3 minutes total? I read that if your supply is low and there is no milk, they will suck hard for a few minutes and then fall asleep from sucking so hard to extract he milk. I have tried EVERYthing to wake him up after those 3 minutes and nothing. I feel that I am starving him. He does cry alot when he is not sleeping so I am concerned.

Hmm... that may be the case. Is the doctor happy with his weight gain so far? Has he fallen asleep like that since birth? If he's gaining weight he may just be a very efficient drinker, but if not, then you may need to see your OB and find out if there's something you can do to increase your supply... just thinking out loud here... But, I'd talk to his doctor and yours and try to get to the bottom of it...

Don't blame yourself so fast! It may be the baby! Perhaps he's going through a growth spurt and simply needs to sleep. Sahmof3 is right - if he's gaining weight fine then stop worrying (stress may decrease your supply). If the pedi isn't worried, you shouldn't be either. 3 minutes of sucking is NOT uncommon - my lo did that as well. Turns out I had an oversupply and a very active let down. Now that I've started pumping I can see how my boobs work - in about 2 minutes I can fill 2oz. Then for the next 3 minutes I can get another ounce, and after that there's just a trickle. That means that when my dd eats, she gets her fill in the first 5 minutes, and then she just sucks for "dessert." My dd gained 3 lbs in 3 weeks this way! I'm sure your son is fine. Trust his cues, unless of course he's losing weight or your pedi is concerned.

Thanks for your input. I will try not to stress too much. I definitely do not want my supply to go down from stress, but it is hard not to when you have no idea if everything is supposed to be this way or not.