Waking A Newborn: Daytime Naps And Sleep Patterns Explained

Newborns need to be fed every two to four hours, depending on whether they are breastfed or bottle-fed. They also need to gain weight and be kept hydrated. This means that they need to be woken up during the day to ensure they are getting adequate nutrition. There are several ways to wake a sleeping newborn, including undressing them, changing their nappy, and holding them upright.

If it's been over 3 hours since their last feed

If it's been over three hours since their last feed, it's time to wake your baby and offer them a feeding. Getting enough nutrition and calories during the day will help your baby sleep better at night.

Newborns should be fed every 2-4 hours, depending on whether they are breastfed or bottle-fed. Breastfed babies feed more often, about every 2-3 hours, whereas bottle-fed babies tend to feed less often, about every 3-4 hours.

If your baby is sleeping through feedings, you should try to gently rouse them. Here are some techniques to wake your baby during the day:

• Feed your baby during an active sleep period, or REM sleep. You'll recognize this when your baby moves their arms and legs, changes their facial expressions, and flutters their eyelids.
• Slowly unswaddle them. If that doesn't work, try undressing them.
• Change their diaper while singing a song or stroking their hands and the soles of their feet.
• Hold your baby upright, which usually causes newborns to open their eyes.
• Dim the lights. If the room is too bright, your baby may be more comfortable keeping their eyes closed.
• Talk and sing to your baby, and once their eyes are open, make eye contact.
• Massage your baby's hands, feet, arms, back, and shoulders.
• Place a cool (not cold) washcloth on their forehead.

If your baby is consistently sleeping through feedings, or rarely seems alert and active, contact your pediatrician.

To ensure they get enough calories

To ensure newborns get enough calories, it is important to wake them for feedings during the day. Newborns are growing fast and need to feed every two to four hours, depending on whether they are breastfed or bottle-fed. Breastfed babies feed more frequently, about every two to three hours, as they digest breast milk more quickly. Formula-fed babies can go three to four hours between feedings as formula takes longer to digest.

If your newborn is sleeping for longer stretches, it is recommended to wake them to feed. For the first couple of weeks, wake your baby every three to four hours to eat until they show good weight gain. After that, it is okay to let them sleep for longer periods at night. Newborns typically lose 5 to 10 percent of their body weight after birth and need to spend the first few weeks gaining it back. Not eating enough during this time can lead to complications like jaundice and low blood sugar.

Additionally, not feeding often enough can slow down your milk production if you are breastfeeding. It is important to establish a demand-and-supply cycle that meets your baby's needs. If you go for long periods without breastfeeding, your milk supply may decrease.

• Feed during active sleep or REM sleep: Recognize REM sleep by your baby's moving arms and legs, changing facial expressions, and fluttering eyelids.
• Undress and unwrap your baby: Try skin-to-skin contact and slowly unswaddle them.
• Change their diaper: Do this while singing or talking to your baby, stimulating their senses.
• Hold your baby upright: Newborns usually open their eyes when held in this position.
• Dim the lights: A bright room may make your baby more comfortable with their eyes closed.
• Be social: Talk, sing, and make eye contact with your baby.
• Massage and touch: Gently massage your baby's hands, feet, back, arms, and shoulders to stimulate them.
• Place a cool washcloth on their forehead: A cool washcloth can help rouse your baby gently.

By following these tips, you can ensure your newborn gets enough calories during the day, promoting healthy weight gain and adequate nutrition.

To accommodate your work schedule

It is common for newborns to sleep in short bursts of 2-3 hours between feeds, both night and day. They need to feed every 2-4 hours, so it's important to wake your baby to feed them if they've been asleep for longer than 3-4 hours. Getting adequate nutrition during the day will help your baby sleep better at night.

If you need to wake your baby to accommodate your work schedule, try to do so before they've been asleep for 3-4 hours. For example, if you need to leave the house by 8 am, and your baby last fed at 5 am, you may need to wake them up for a feed at 8 am.

It's also important to keep in mind that newborns don't yet have a sense of day and night. Their sleep patterns will be erratic, and they will sleep whenever they are tired, regardless of the time of day. This means that you may need to be flexible with your work schedule, especially in the first few months.

• Establish a bedtime routine: A relaxing and predictable bedtime routine, including activities like cuddling, rocking, walking, and feeding, will help set the stage for healthy sleep habits later in life.
• Watch for sleepiness cues: When your baby starts showing signs of sleepiness, such as fussing or rubbing their eyes, lay them in their crib or bassinet. Putting your baby down before they actually fall asleep will help them become more comfortable with falling asleep on their own.
• Provide a comfortable environment: Ensure your baby gets plenty of light and sound during the day, and keep their bedroom dark and quiet in the evening.
• Practice safe sleep habits: Always place your baby on their back to sleep, and try to have them sleep alone in their crib rather than co-sleeping. Keep their crib free from blankets, bumpers, toys, or other soft bedding.
• Keep feedings low-key: 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.
• Incorporate tummy time: Allowing your newborn to spend a few minutes on their stomach while they are awake helps with the development of neck and shoulder muscles, as well as motor skills. Research also suggests that regular, supervised tummy time may be linked to longer nighttime sleep as your baby grows.

Remember, the first few months are a time to get to know your baby and learn about their unique needs for sleep, feeds, and play. Be flexible and follow your baby's lead. Their sleep patterns will start to become more predictable around 8-9 weeks, when their release of melatonin and cortisol—the hormones that affect sleep and wake cycles—begins to follow a circadian rhythm.

To help them gain weight

Newborns need to be fed frequently, and it is important to wake them up to feed if they are sleeping for long stretches. This is to ensure they gain weight and grow adequately. Here are some tips to help with this:

Feeding Frequency and Weight Gain

Newborns should be fed about eight to twelve times in a 24-hour period. This ensures a steady weight gain and establishes the mother's milk supply. Feed your baby whenever they wake up, and also wake them up to feed if they have been asleep for 3-4 hours. Newborns have tiny tummies, and their stomachs cannot hold enough milk to keep them satisfied for long, so they need to be fed frequently. During the night, a dream feed can be helpful: rouse the baby for a feed just before you go to bed.

Techniques to Wake a Sleeping Newborn

It is best to avoid having an alarm abruptly wake a baby. Instead, try these gentle techniques:

• Feed the baby during an active sleep period or REM sleep. You'll recognize this when the baby moves their arms and legs and changes facial expressions.
• Undress the baby.
• Change their diaper while singing or talking to them.
• Hold the baby upright, as this usually causes newborns to open their eyes.
• Dim the lights.
• Be social: talk, sing and make eye contact with the baby.
• Massage the baby's hands, feet, arms, back and shoulders.
• Place a cool washcloth on their forehead.

Burping and Skin-to-Skin Contact

Try burping the baby first, while skin-to-skin, and then offering a feed. Do breast compressions throughout the feed to help with weight gain, and burp and change the baby's diaper after feeding. If the baby is fussy, try burping and skin-to-skin contact again.

Offer Both Breasts

If you are breastfeeding, offer the second breast, and then allow the baby to fall asleep again. This will also help with weight gain.

Be Persistent

It may take several attempts to wake a sleepy newborn, so stay calm and don't get discouraged. Try using pillows, laid-back nursing positions, or continue with skin-to-skin nursing.

To boost your milk supply

• Feed your baby often, at least 8 to 12 times in 24 hours, or every 2 to 3 hours. Feeding more than 12 times a day may increase your supply.
• Nurse your baby for at least 15 minutes at each breast, but don't limit nursing time. If your baby falls asleep after feeding from one breast, wake them and offer the other.
• Feed your baby from both breasts at each feeding.
• Feed your baby every 2 hours during the day and every 3 to 4 hours at night.
• Pump after breastfeeding to signal to your body to produce more milk.
• Massage your breasts before and during feedings. Breast compression during feedings helps drain the breast.
• Provide skin-to-skin contact with your baby for about 20 minutes after feeds. This "kangaroo care" has been shown to increase milk supply.
• Pump immediately after feeding during the day.
• Try pumping for 5 minutes, resting for 5 minutes, then pumping for another 10 minutes.
• Consult a lactation specialist if you have concerns about your baby's weight gain.
• Eat a balanced diet with high-protein foods and stay hydrated. Drink enough so that your urine is pale yellow.
• Take an iron supplement if you are anaemic.
• Talk to your doctor about vitamin supplements.
• Get enough rest.
• Avoid smoking. If you smoke, do so after nursing, not before, and not in the same room as your baby.
• Avoid starting birth control pills too soon, as this can decrease your milk supply. Wait at least 6 weeks and then use only the mini-pill (Progestin).
• Avoid using nipple shields and pacifiers, as these can decrease your milk supply.
• Ensure your breast flange is the correct size.
• Avoid pregnancy or the resumption of your menstrual period, as these can impact milk supply.
• Avoid breast reduction surgery, which may reduce milk supply.

To wake a sleeping newborn during the day:

• If it has been longer than 3-3.5 hours since the start of the last feeding, wake your baby and offer a feeding. Getting adequate nutrition and calories during the day will help your baby sleep better at night.
• If your baby is taking two or more naps, don't let any one nap go longer than two hours. If your baby is only taking one nap, don't let it exceed 3 hours.
• If your baby is asleep in a car seat outside of the car, take them out.
• If your work schedule requires that your baby wakes at a certain time, wake them accordingly.
• If you need to adjust your day to accommodate an activity or appointment, wake your baby earlier than usual or wake them from their nap.

Frequently asked questions