I'm after some advice on some strategies to get my sleepy newborn to attach at the breast and keep sucking.

He was born at 36 w weighing 2.6 kg. He lost just shy of 10% of his weight before we left hospital. We are due for another weigh in this Thurs. Wet nappies are ok.

I have to wake him for every feed without fail. We tend to spend around 30 - 45 mins messing around with waking him up, getting him on then falling asleep. I am expressing and topping up with EBM in order to keep him fed and build supply.

I am confident my attachment is good as his lips are flared and there is no pain. He's not jaundice.

Any thoughts? Or is this an issue that will simply improve with time? I'm relaxed with how our feeding is going but thought that wiser heads might have some thoughts.

Also, how often and for how long should I be expresing?

ta,
Fiona