Herbie Murray
Newborns need to eat often, but it differs slightly between breastfed and formula-fed babies. Breastfed babies feed every 2-3 hours, while formula-fed babies feed every 3-4 hours. Newborns need to feed around the clock in their first few weeks of life to keep up with their rapid growth. They typically feed 8-12 times in a 24-hour period. If your baby is too sleepy to feed, you will need to wake them to ensure they get enough milk. This can be done by brushing the side of their cheek, which can trigger the rooting reflex. If your baby is not getting enough milk, they may sleep longer than is good for them.
Characteristics and Values Table
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Sleep | Newborns sleep a lot, but excessive sleep can be a sign of an underlying health issue. |
| Feeding | Newborns need to feed often, typically every 2-3 hours for breastfed babies and 3-4 hours for formula-fed babies. |
| Weight Gain | Newborns should regain their birth weight by about two weeks and gain around 200-235g (7-8oz) per week for the first 2-3 months. |
| Milk Production | Frequent breastfeeding stimulates milk production. |
| Room Temperature | Keeping the room temperature at around 18°C or undressing the baby can help prevent oversleeping due to overheating. |
| Latching | Ensuring a deep, comfortable latch at the breast is crucial for effective feeding and can prevent the baby from tiring easily and falling asleep. |
| Active Nursing | Encourage active nursing by offering both breasts and using breast compression techniques. |
| Wakefulness | Aim for active awake time during the day by providing full feedings, which will also promote better sleep at night. |
| Sleep Patterns | Newborns typically settle into a comfortable sleep routine over time, and it is important to understand their individual sleep and feeding cues. |
| Consultations | Consult a lactation consultant, pediatrician, or healthcare provider for personalized advice and guidance. |
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What You'll Learn
Strategies to wake a newborn to eat
Newborns need to eat eight or more times every 24 hours. However, due to sleepiness, they may not awaken often enough to feed. Here are some strategies to wake a newborn to eat:
Keep the Room Cool
Keep the room temperature at around 18°C, or gently undress your baby if the room is warm. Being too hot can make a baby sleepy.
Gentle Rocking
Gently rock your baby in a rhythmic, swaying motion to gradually wake them. This movement mimics the soothing sensation of the womb, making the transition to a wakeful state smoother.
Skin-to-skin Contact
Hold your infant against your chest, skin-to-skin. The warmth and reassuring feeling can arouse their senses and encourage wakefulness.
Soothing Noises
Use mild and comforting vocalizations like cooing or whispering to your baby. Singing or humming softly can also help your baby transition from sleep to wakefulness.
Watch for Swallowing
Encourage active nursing on the first breast, watching and listening for signs of swallowing. Offer the second breast when they seem to have finished with the first.
Cool Washcloth
Apply a cool washcloth to the baby's head, stomach, or back. Be careful not to let the baby become chilled, especially if they are premature, as they can chill more easily than full-term infants.
Remember, every baby is unique, so find the methods that work best for your little one. Patience, gentleness, and responsiveness to your baby's cues are key when waking them up for feeding.
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How to know if your newborn is getting enough milk
It can be challenging to determine whether your newborn is getting enough milk, as there are numerous factors at play, including the baby's size, metabolism, and growth rate. Here are some guidelines to help you assess if your newborn is receiving adequate milk:
Responsive Feeding
Responsive feeding is crucial for ensuring your baby gets the necessary nutrition and hydration. Pay close attention to your baby's cues before and during feeds. For example, if your baby turns their head away from the breast or starts pushing it off, they may be indicating they are done feeding or want to switch sides. Other signs that your baby might be full include getting fretful, fidgety, or squirmy, or bobbing on and off the breast.
Feeding Frequency and Duration
In the early days, your newborn should breastfeed effectively at least 8-12 times in 24 hours, feeding actively from one or both breasts at each feed. They should swallow regularly and nurse at least every 2-3 hours from the start of one feed to the next, with one longer sleep of 4-5 hours. As your baby grows, they will start taking bigger feeds and having longer feeds from around two months.
Weight Gain
Monitor your baby's weight gain to ensure they are receiving adequate nutrition. On average, a baby should start gaining weight from day 4 and regain their birth weight by about two weeks. Many breastfed babies gain around 200-235g (7-8oz) per week for the first 2-3 months. However, it is normal for babies to lose up to 7% of their birth weight during the first few days as they eliminate excess fluid.
Diaper Output
Checking the number of wet and soiled diapers is a traditional way to gauge whether your baby is getting enough milk. In the first few days, your baby should have at least two wet diapers per day. After the first week, they should have at least six to eight wet diapers per day. Additionally, they should have at least two dirty diapers per day by the fifth day. However, keep in mind that it can be challenging to determine wetness in disposable diapers.
Sleep Patterns
If your baby is too sleepy between feeds or during feeding, they may not be getting enough milk. Newborns need to be actively nursing at each feed, and if they are too sleepy, you may need to gently wake them to ensure they are getting enough nourishment. Keeping the room temperature cool, around 18°C, can help prevent your baby from getting too sleepy.
Baby's Behaviour
Observe your baby's behaviour during breastfeeding. If they are latched on properly, you should see their wide-open mouth with a large mouthful of the breast. Their chin should be touching your breast, and their lower lip should be rolled down. Additionally, you should be able to see more of the dark skin around your nipple (areola) above their top lip than below their bottom lip. If your baby is making clicking noises while breastfeeding, it could indicate that they are not latched on correctly.
Remember, every baby is unique, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to determining if they are getting enough milk. Always consult with a healthcare professional if you have concerns about your baby's feeding or weight gain.
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Signs of serious health issues in newborns
A newborn baby needs to feed at least 8-12 times in 24 hours, nursing actively from one or both breasts at each feed. If your baby is too sleepy to feed, you will need to wake them to ensure they are getting enough milk. This can be done by encouraging active nursing on the first breast, watching and listening for signs of swallowing, and offering the other side once they seem to have finished.
However, if your newborn is too sleepy to feed and shows other signs of serious health issues, it is important to seek medical advice. Danger signs in newborns include feeding problems, reduced activity, difficult breathing, fever, fits or convulsions, and cold skin. Other red flags that indicate a serious health issue in newborns include neonatal infection, sepsis, meningitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and urinary tract infection.
It is important to note that the first few days after birth are critical, as most newborn deaths occur within the first 28 days, with one-third dying on the day of birth and three-quarters dying within the first week. Therefore, it is crucial to seek prompt medical care if you notice any danger signs or red flags in your newborn.
Additionally, it is recommended to have postnatal care contacts on the first day, the third day, between the seventh and fourteenth day, and again at 6 weeks to assess for any signs of serious health problems and provide preventive treatment.
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How to establish a feeding and sleeping schedule
Newborns typically sleep between 14 and 17 hours over a 24-hour period, in short bursts of 2-4 hours between feeds. During the first few months of a baby's life, it is important to get to know their needs for sleep, feeds, and play.
- Respond to your baby's cues: In the first few weeks of life, newborns do not understand the difference between daytime and nighttime. They will not follow a sleep schedule linked to the time of day, so it is important to watch for sleepiness cues, such as fussing or rubbing their eyes, and respond accordingly.
- Be flexible: The key to establishing a feeding and sleeping schedule is to be flexible and follow your baby's lead. Pay attention to their body language and cues to understand whether they want to sleep, feed, or interact with you. It's okay to go with whatever feels right at the time.
- Keep the room temperature comfortable: A room temperature of around 18°C is ideal for newborns. If the room is warm, you can undress your baby a little or unwrap any blankets. Being too hot can make a baby sleepy.
- Offer frequent feeds: Newborns need to feed every 2-4 hours, depending on whether they are breastfed or formula-fed. Breastfed babies may need to feed more frequently, around every two hours, while formula-fed babies may go up to three hours between feedings. Offer feeds generously, as a newborn may fall asleep if they have to wait too long.
- Establish a bedtime routine: A relaxing and predictable bedtime routine, including activities like cuddling, rocking, walking, and feeding, can help set the stage for healthy sleep habits later in life.
- Safe sleep practices: Always place your newborn to sleep on their back, and try to have them sleep alone in their crib to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Keep the crib free from blankets, bumpers, toys, or other soft bedding.
- Incorporate tummy time: Allow your newborn to spend a few minutes on their stomach to promote development and strengthen their neck and shoulder muscles.
- Nighttime feedings: During nighttime feedings, use dim lighting, and keep the interaction short and calm. Avoid letting your baby sleep with a bottle or breast in their mouth.
- Gradual implementation: Around 2 months of age, your baby's internal clock will become more predictable, and you can start implementing a basic sleep schedule. By 3-6 months, your baby's bedtime, naptime, and wake-up times will become more consistent.
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Tips for increasing milk supply
It is completely normal for newborns to wake up frequently at night and want to eat. In the first few weeks, babies who are breastfed may wake up every two to three hours as they digest breast milk faster than formula. However, this does not mean that you have low milk supply. Here are some tips to increase milk supply if you are concerned:
- Get enough sleep: Losing sleep can increase stress hormones like cortisol, which can reduce milk supply. Prioritize your sleep and rest when your baby sleeps.
- Eat a healthy and balanced diet: Eat nutritious foods and drink plenty of water. A healthy diet can help increase milk supply.
- Breastfeed frequently: Your body will produce milk to meet your baby's demand. Breastfeed every time your baby is hungry, and do not put your baby on a strict feeding schedule. In the early weeks, your baby will eat 8-12 times every 24 hours.
- Alternate breasts: To keep up your milk supply in both breasts and prevent engorgement, alternate the breasts you start feeding with. Allow your baby to stay on the first breast until it feels soft, and then switch to the second breast.
- Pump or express milk: Pumping or expressing milk frequently, especially between nursing sessions, can help increase milk supply. If you are away from your baby, pump or express milk every 3 hours to maintain supply.
- Skin-to-skin contact: Holding your baby skin-to-skin and massaging your breasts before feeding can encourage milk let-down and increase supply.
- Relax and reduce stress: Relaxation techniques can help reduce stress and promote milk flow. Consider practices like meditation or deep breathing.
- See a lactation consultant: If you are concerned about your milk supply or your baby's weight gain, seek help from a lactation consultant or your healthcare provider. They can provide personalized advice and recommendations.
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Frequently asked questions
Newborns need to eat often, but it differs slightly between breastfed and formula-fed babies. Breastfed babies typically feed every 2-3 hours, while formula-fed babies feed every 3-4 hours. Newborns typically consume around 24-32 ounces of breast milk or formula each day.
Your baby should regain their birth weight by about two weeks. If your baby is losing too much weight, they may not be getting enough to eat. Consult a pediatrician or nursing expert for individual advice.
If your newborn is sleeping past their usual feeding time, you will need to wake them to feed to ensure they get enough nutrients. To wake a baby up to eat, try brushing the side of their cheek to trigger the rooting reflex.
Newborns should be fed on demand – that is, as soon as they show signs of hunger, such as rooting or crying. Crying is a late sign of hunger.
If your baby is too sleepy to feed, they may need your help to ensure they are nursing effectively and getting enough milk. Try to wake them up during a light sleep cycle by watching for rapid eye movements under their closed eyelids, arm and leg movements, sucking activity, and changes in their facial expression.
