Question

There may or may not be a problem. Newborns sleep 16 to 18 hours a day, so they will be asleep the majority of the time. Children secrete growth factors during sleep, so a lot of rest is good for their growth and weight gain. There may be days of more wakefulness and other times with more sleep. However, newborns need to be fed every two to three hours, and if she is missing feedings there may be a problem.

Answer

There may or may not be a problem. Newborns sleep 16 to 18 hours a day, so they will be asleep the majority of the time. Children secrete growth factors during sleep, so a lot of rest is good for their growth and weight gain. There may be days of more wakefulness and other times with more sleep. However, newborns need to be fed every two to three hours, and if she is missing feedings there may be a problem.

If it is time for a feeding, do everything you can to make your baby as wide awake as possible: Try placing a cool washcloth on her head and taking her clothes off, for instance. If she is breastfeeding well and you have good let-down, she may only need five minutes or so to get the bulk of your breast milk. If she is bottle-fed, a couple of ounces at a time may be all she needs.

Some babies with intense temperaments wake up and scream to be fed. Babies who are more relaxed might not be so clear in their demands. The danger is that these infants do not get fed, so they do not have enough calories and therefore are more sleepy and lethargic, a vicious circle. Since your daughter is 2 weeks old, I hope you have had or will soon have the 2-week checkup with your health care provider. At that time, if your baby has regained at least her birth weight and perhaps more, there is probably not a problem.