Colin Snow
Waking a sleeping newborn for breastfeeding can be challenging, but it is essential for their health and development. Newborns have a high nutritional demand to support their rapid growth, and breastfeeding provides critical nutrients and antibodies that protect against sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). This article will discuss the recommended feeding frequency for newborns, safe sleeping practices, and techniques for gently waking a sleeping newborn for breastfeeding to ensure they receive adequate nutrition.
Characteristics and Values
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Feeding frequency | Every two to three hours |
| First overnight session | Dream feed (feed just before you go to bed) |
| First two weeks | Wake baby to feed if they sleep more than four to five hours at a time |
| Techniques to wake baby | Skin-to-skin contact, express colostrum, change nappy, warm bath, breast compressions, massage, stroke hands and feet |
| Benefits of waking baby | Encourage active sucking, increase milk supply, prevent slow weight gain, reduce risk of jaundice and low blood sugar |
| Independent sleep | Help baby learn to fall asleep independently by turning them away from you, walking around, looking in the mirror, or showing them toys |
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What You'll Learn
Babies should be fed every 2-3 hours, even if they're sleeping
Breastfeeding a newborn is a demanding task that requires a big commitment from the mother. Breast milk is easily digestible, so newborns tend to feed more often than babies fed with formula. In the first few weeks, a newborn will nurse about 8 to 12 times per day, generally every 1 to 3 hours. This means that the mother may need to feed her baby every 2 to 3 hours, even if they are sleeping.
It is important to watch for hunger cues and feed the baby when they seem hungry. Breastfeeding should be on demand, and a feeding schedule is not necessary. Babies will let their parents know when they are hungry and when they have had enough. Signs that a baby is full include slowing down, spitting out the bottle or unlatching from the breast, closing their mouth, and turning away from the breast or bottle.
If a baby is extra sleepy in the early days, the mother may need to wake them to ensure they get enough milk. This can be done by undressing and unwrapping the baby and holding them skin-to-skin, expressing a little colostrum and letting a few drops fall into the baby's mouth, or changing their nappy. Giving the baby a warm bath or gently massaging their back in circular motions can also help to wake them up.
As newborns get older, they will nurse less often and have longer stretches between feedings. By two months, babies will feed every 3 to 4 hours, and by 6 months, the time between feedings stretches to every 4 to 5 hours. It is recommended that babies be fed only human milk for the first 6 months, and they should continue to breastfeed through the first year of life and beyond if desired.
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A baby's weight gain can be slowed if they don't eat enough
A newborn baby should be fed on demand, which is usually about 8 to 12 times in 24 hours. If your baby is not feeding enough, their weight gain can be affected. It is important to understand your baby's feeding cues, such as rooting, making licking or sucking motions, bobbing their head, or bringing their hand to their face or mouth. Crying is a late feeding cue, and if you wait until your baby is crying, they may not latch and feed as well.
If your baby is very sleepy in the early days, you may need to wake them to ensure they are getting enough milk. Try undressing and unwrapping your baby and holding them skin-to-skin. You can also express a little colostrum and let a few drops fall into their mouth to encourage them to start sucking. Changing their nappy or giving them a warm bath can also help to wake them up. Once they are feeding, you can use some of these techniques to keep them awake and actively sucking.
To ensure your baby is getting enough milk and gaining weight appropriately, there are some additional things you can do. Firstly, avoid "switch nursing", where your baby feeds from one breast for a few minutes and then switches to the other. This can interfere with your baby getting enough hindmilk, which is higher in calories and comes out towards the end of a feed. Instead, let your baby feed from one breast for longer, and only switch when their sucking slows or stops. You can also try breast compression, which increases the flow of milk and encourages your baby to suck and swallow more.
If you are concerned about your baby's weight gain, it is important to seek professional advice from a healthcare provider or a certified lactation consultant. They can help you identify and address any issues. Some methods to improve weight gain may require professional guidance, such as using a Supplemental Nursing System (SNS) or alternative feeding methods. Additionally, if you are bottle-feeding any supplements, discuss the type of bottle nipple with the IBCLC, as some types are less likely to interfere with breastfeeding.
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Breast compressions can help newborns get more milk
Breast compression is a technique where you apply pressure to the outside of your breast to stimulate the flow of milk to your baby. This is especially useful when your baby is sucking on the breast but not drinking milk. The purpose of breast compression is to continue milk flow to the baby, and it can be used to "turn sucks or nibbling into drinks".
Breast compressions can be particularly beneficial in the first few days of breastfeeding to help the baby get more colostrum. A good latch and breast compression help the baby get colostrum, which they need in small amounts. Compressing the breast increases the external pressure on it, encouraging the baby to start drinking again with an "open mouth wide-pause-then close mouth" type of suck.
Breast compressions can also increase the speed of milk flow, which can help keep your baby awake at the breast. This is useful for newborns who fall asleep quickly during a feed and need encouragement to start sucking actively again. It is important to begin breast compression before the baby gets too sleepy.
Breast compressions are not necessary if everything is going well, and you should take your cues from the baby. You can allow the baby to finish feeding on the first side and then offer the other side without compressions if the baby is feeding well.
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Undress and hold your baby skin-to-skin
Undressing your baby and holding them skin-to-skin is a great way to wake them up for feeding. This method is not only effective in rousing your baby but also offers several other benefits.
Firstly, undressing your baby helps to stimulate their senses and makes them more alert. The change in temperature and sensation of air on their skin can help rouse your baby from sleep gently. It is also beneficial to remove any swaddling or clothing that may be too warm or constricting, as this can make it difficult for your baby to move and may hinder their breathing.
Holding your baby skin-to-skin provides warmth and comfort, helping to soothe and calm them as they transition from sleep to wakefulness. This close contact also stimulates your baby's senses, including their sense of touch, smell, and hearing, all of which can help to gently wake them. Skin-to-skin contact is also known to have numerous other benefits for your baby's development, including regulating their body temperature, heart rate, and breathing, as well as promoting bonding and attachment.
When holding your baby skin-to-skin, ensure that you are in a comfortable and supportive position, with your baby's bare chest against yours. You can use one arm to support their head and the other to hold their body securely. This intimate holding position not only aids in waking your baby for feeding but also provides an opportunity for bonding and the exchange of sensory stimuli, which is crucial for your newborn's development.
If your baby continues to sleep soundly, you can try other gentle methods to wake them, such as expressing a small amount of colostrum and letting a few drops fall into their mouth, changing their nappy, or giving them a warm bath. These techniques, combined with skin-to-skin contact, can effectively rouse your newborn for breastfeeding while ensuring their comfort and security.
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Change your baby's nappy to wake them up
If your baby is extra sleepy in the early days, you may need to wake them to ensure they get the milk they need. One way to do this is to change their nappy.
Changing your baby's nappy is a good way to wake them up enough to take a full feed. If you wait until after the feed, it could fully wake them just as they are about to fall back asleep. If your baby has a dirty nappy, it is best to change them after feeding so they can go back to bed clean and dry. If the nappy is leaking or dirty, change it. If it is just wet, you can leave it unless your baby seems uncomfortable.
Newborns may wet their nappy 6-10 times per day, typically an hour or two after being fed. Prolonged exposure to urine can change the pH of your baby's skin, and some bacteria and fungus thrive in an alkaline environment, so it's important to keep on top of nappy changes. Modern disposable nappies are highly absorbent, drawing moisture away from the skin to minimise the risk of nappy rash, but it's still important to change them regularly.
If your baby is sleeping for longer periods, be generous with barrier cream to ensure an effective barrier between the baby's skin and urine and faecal residue. Use gentle, water-based baby wipes to clean around their bottom and genitals.
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Frequently asked questions
Newborns need to be fed every two to three hours, or every four to five hours at a maximum for the first two weeks.
Here are some ways to wake a sleeping newborn for breastfeeding:
- Undress and unwrap your baby and hold them skin-to-skin.
- Express a little colostrum and let a few drops fall into your baby's mouth.
- Change your baby's nappy.
- Give your baby a warm bath.
- Place your baby on your lap with their legs near your tummy and their head on your knees. Gently support your baby, raise them into a sitting position, and repeat a few times.
- Gently massage their back in circular motions.
- Stroke their feet and hands.
Not feeding often enough can slow down your milk production if you're breastfeeding. It can also lead to slower newborn weight gain and complications linked to jaundice and low blood sugar.
