Herbie Murray
Newborns need to eat eight or more times every 24 hours. However, they may be too sleepy to feed, especially during their first week. If your baby is extra sleepy in the early days, you may need to wake them to ensure they get enough milk. There are several ways to do this, including undressing them down to their diaper, applying a cool washcloth to their head, stomach, or back, and holding them upright and talking to them. You can also try singing or humming softly, or using breast compressions to encourage sucking and swallowing.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Try to wake the baby during | REM sleep |
| Recognize REM sleep by | Fluttering eyelids, sleep grins, clenched fists, and limbs that are not limp |
| Undress the baby to | Diaper to cool off slightly |
| Apply | Cool washcloth to the baby's head, stomach or back |
| Hold the baby | Skin-to-skin against your tummy and breast |
| Drape a | Towel or lightweight blanket over the baby's exposed back and head |
| Hold the baby | Upright and talk to them |
| Place the baby | On a secure surface on their stomach |
| Sing or hum | Softly |
| Massage the baby's | Back in circular motions |
| Stroke their | Feet and hands |
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What You'll Learn
Try to wake them during REM sleep
Newborns go through several sleep cycles, starting with stage 1 at the beginning of the sleep cycle, then moving into stages 2, 3, and 4, before returning to stage 3, then stage 2, and finally REM sleep. These cycles may occur multiple times during sleep. Newborns spend almost equal amounts of time in REM and non-REM (NREM) sleep. REM sleep, or "active sleep", is when a baby's eyes move rapidly under closed eyelids, their limbs and fingers might twitch or jerk, their breathing might speed up, and they might move their mouths.
If you need to wake your baby, it is best to do so during REM sleep. Babies can be easily woken up from REM sleep, and they may be more alert during this phase. Additionally, waking your baby during REM sleep can help prevent them from entering the subsequent crying phase, which can be challenging to soothe.
To identify when your baby is in REM sleep, look for small movements, such as twitching eyes, limbs, or fingers, faster breathing, or mouth movements. You can also observe their alertness level when they wake up. If they are very still, yet awake and taking in their surroundings, they are likely in the quiet alert phase that typically follows REM sleep.
If you consistently struggle to wake your newborn or notice any unusual sleep patterns, it is important to consult a pediatrician or healthcare professional for personalized advice and guidance. Waking a newborn for feedings is also a common practice, but always consult your doctor to determine if this is necessary.
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Hold them skin-to-skin
Holding your newborn skin-to-skin is a powerful way to wake them up gently and stimulate their senses. This method, known as "kangaroo care", was discovered in the 1970s when researchers found that premature babies who received skin-to-skin contact had lower death rates. It involves holding your diapered baby on your bare chest, with no clothes or blankets in between, providing a comforting and reassuring sensation.
- Undress your baby down to their diaper and remove any clothing from your chest to ensure direct skin contact.
- Wrap a blanket or robe around both of you, with your baby's head peeking out, creating a cozy pouch similar to kangaroo care.
- Hold your baby securely on your chest, ensuring their head is supported.
- You can remain seated or slowly move around, gently rocking your baby, which can mimic the soothing sensation of the womb and make the transition to a wakeful state smoother.
- Combine skin-to-skin contact with gentle vocalizations like cooing or whispering, soft music, or white noise to create a stimulating yet calming environment.
- Kangaroo care can be done for as long as you and your baby are comfortable, with a recommended minimum of one hour per day to help regulate your newborn's biological rhythms.
Skin-to-skin contact is not just beneficial for waking your newborn but also has numerous advantages for their overall development and well-being. It promotes better sleep, improves their breathing and heart rate, aids growth, and enhances the bonding experience between you and your baby.
Remember, it is normal for newborns to sleep frequently throughout the day and night, and they will gradually develop a sense of day and night over the next few weeks to months. Always consult your pediatrician if you have any concerns about your baby's sleep patterns or if they are particularly hard to wake up.
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Sing or hum softly
Singing or humming softly is a gentle way to wake your newborn. The familiar sound of your voice and a soothing melody can help your baby transition from sleep to wakefulness. Try singing or humming a calming tune as you approach your baby, creating a peaceful environment.
Singing or humming softly to your baby can be a great way to rouse them from sleep, especially when paired with gentle touches. You can softly rub their cheek, stroke their feet, or give them a little tickle on the bottom of their feet. Do what feels natural to you, and keep your touches light and soft.
If your baby is sleeping more than normal or is particularly hard to wake up, you may want to call your doctor for advice. In general, newborns need around 14-17 hours of sleep in a 24-hour period and frequently wake up to feed. They may fall asleep again after only a few minutes of suckling, so you might need to wake them up several times during a feeding session to ensure they are getting enough nourishment.
You can also try singing or humming as part of a bedtime routine to help your baby wind down and prepare for sleep. Lullabies, for example, can help your baby recognize sleep cues and settle down more easily. They have been shown to create physical relaxation in babies, regulating their heart rate and breathing and promoting deeper, more restful sleep.
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Apply a cool washcloth
If your newborn is sleeping too much and you need to wake them up to feed, one method you can try is applying a cool washcloth to their body. This technique is recommended by the Australian Breastfeeding Association, who suggest that a cool washcloth applied to the baby's head, stomach or back can help to wake them up.
It is important to be careful not to let your baby get too cold, especially if they were born prematurely, as they can chill more easily than term infants. You can also try warming your baby up to wake them. Holding your baby against your skin can help to gently increase their body temperature and wake them up.
If your baby is very sleepy, you may need to wake them to ensure they get enough milk. Newborns need to eat eight or more times in 24 hours, and they may fall asleep again after feeding has begun. If this happens, you can try switching sides, or waking them up and starting again.
There are also other methods to wake a sleeping baby, such as singing or humming softly, stroking their feet and hands, or gently massaging their back in circular motions.
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Breast compressions
Firstly, understand that it is normal for newborns to fall asleep at the breast. This is due to a hormone called cholecystokinin or CCK, which makes your baby feel full and sleepy as soon as they start sucking. Younger babies tend to have higher concentrations of CCK, making it harder to keep them awake during feeds.
You can also switch breasts each time your baby's sucking slows or they start to get sleepy. Take your baby off the breast, gently wake them, and start feeding on the other side. You can continue switching sides as long as your baby stays awake and feeding. This technique can help your baby fill their tummy and get more milk.
In addition to breast compressions, there are other ways to wake a newborn up from sleeping. You can try skin-to-skin contact, which helps ignite your baby's natural feeding instinct and allows you to notice their feeding cues. Stimulating your baby by gently stroking their hands and feet or giving them a back rub can also help keep them awake.
Remember, newborns should get 14-17 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period, and you should wake them every 3-4 hours to feed until they show good weight gain, usually within the first couple of weeks. After that, it's okay to let them sleep for longer periods at night, but keep in mind that every baby is different, and some may start sleeping for longer stretches between 2-4 months postnatal.
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Frequently asked questions
Try undressing your baby down to their diaper to cool them off slightly. You can also apply a cool washcloth to their head, stomach or back, being careful not to let them get chilled.
Try to wake your baby during REM sleep, which is recognised by fluttering eyelids, sleep grins, clenched fists, and limbs that are not limp. You can also try holding your baby upright and talking to them, or singing/humming softly to them.
You can try switching breasts when your baby falls asleep, waking them up again before latching them to the other side. You can also try breast compressions to increase the flow of breast milk and encourage your baby to suck and swallow.
You can tell by observing their outputs, such as lots of poos and wet nappies, as well as increasing alertness.
