Gina Johnson
Newborns are challenging to feed as they can be very difficult to wake. Before they are two to three weeks old, they may not demand feeds appropriately and will simply fall asleep. If parents don't recognise this, newborns can lose too much weight, gain weight poorly, or develop jaundice and excessive sleepiness. To wake a newborn for feeding, parents can try undressing them, changing their diaper, putting a cold hand or wipe on their foot, or gently rocking them. Singing or humming softly, cooing or whispering, or stroking their ears or neck can also help.
Techniques to wake a sleeping newborn to eat
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Change diaper | Stimulates the newborn |
| Tickle their feet | Stimulates the newborn |
| Undress them | Stimulates the newborn |
| Stroke their ears and the back of their neck | Stimulates the newborn |
| Switch feeding | Offer one breast and then the other |
| Tune into their sucks and swallows | Listen for the soft click sound of swallowing |
| Vocalisations | Coo or whisper to the newborn |
| Lay them on their stomach | Allow them to explore their environment and awaken their senses |
| Adjust lighting | Brighten the room to increase alertness |
| Rocking | Gently sway the newborn in a rocking motion |
| Singing or humming | Sing or hum softly |
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What You'll Learn
Recognise hunger cues and establish a feeding schedule
Recognising hunger cues in a newborn and establishing a feeding schedule is critical to their health and growth. Patience, gentleness, and responsiveness to your baby's cues are key when waking them up for feeding. Here are some tips to help you establish a feeding schedule:
- Newborns tend to wake up somewhere between weeks 2 and 3 of life. Before this, they might not demand feed appropriately or feed well at the breast – they simply fall asleep. It is important to ensure that a baby under 2 weeks of age and/or not yet back to birth weight is fed every 3 hours (i.e., at least 8 feeds in 24 hours).
- Watch for signals that your baby is ready to eat. A swallow is best heard as a soft click sound rather than seen. If the baby is not suckling well, they may not be transferring milk and therefore not swallowing very often.
- Try switch feeding, where you offer one breast only for as long as the baby is sucking and swallowing well. When this is no longer successful, switch to the other breast. Repeat this process until the baby seems satiated.
- To get your baby's attention and promote wakefulness, use mild and comforting vocalisations like cooing or whispering to them. Lay your infant on a secure surface on their stomach so they may naturally explore their environment and awaken their senses.
- Try the gentle rocking method! Calmly approach the sleeping baby and gently sway them in a rocking motion to gradually wake them for feeding. The rhythmic movement mimics the womb’s soothing sensation, making the transition to a wakeful state smoother.
- Try adjusting the lighting. Brightening the lights increases intensity and can help with activities that require focus and alertness.
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Try the switch-feeding technique
Newborns sleeping through their feeding times can be a concern for new parents. While this phase usually passes in a few weeks, it is important to ensure that the baby is getting enough to eat and is not losing too much weight. One effective technique to prevent newborns from falling asleep during feeds is switch-feeding or switch nursing.
Switch-feeding is a nursing method that uses both breasts during a single feeding session. The baby is gently switched to the other breast when they begin to lose interest or slow down on one breast. This technique ensures the baby is actively feeding and receiving milk from both breasts. It also helps prevent the baby from falling asleep mid-feed and can increase overall milk intake.
To start, create a comfortable feeding environment. Ensure you are seated comfortably with everything you need within reach. Start with one breast and let the baby nurse until they show signs of satisfaction, such as slower sucking, pulling away, or relaxed body language. When their attention starts to decline, gently offer the other breast.
Some newborns may require mild direction from the mother during switch-feeding, while others may naturally flip sides. It is important to stay flexible and attentive to your baby's feeding cues and comfort. The decision to switch breasts during feeding should be based on individual needs, as some babies may be satisfied with one breast per feeding.
Additionally, using a supportive nursing pillow can help you move your baby between breasts with the correct posture and support, making switch-feeding more comfortable for both you and your baby.
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Gently rock your baby
Gently rocking your baby is a proven way to wake them up for feeding. This method involves calmly approaching your sleeping baby and gently swaying them in a rocking motion to gradually wake them up. The rhythmic movement of the rocking motion mimics the soothing sensation of being in the womb, making the transition to a wakeful state smoother for your baby.
When using the gentle rocking method, it is important to be patient, gentle, and responsive to your baby's cues. Before starting the feeding procedure, watch for signals that your baby is ready to eat. You can also use mild and comforting vocalizations, like cooing or whispering to your baby, to get their attention and promote wakefulness. Singing or humming softly can also help your baby transition from sleep to wakefulness.
If your baby is still not waking up, you can try other techniques such as changing their diaper, undressing them, or placing a cold hand or wipe on their foot. These methods can help stimulate your baby and encourage them to wake up. However, it's important to remember that every baby is unique, and you may need to try different techniques to find what works best for your little one.
Additionally, it's important to ensure that your baby is feeding properly, especially if they are sleepy. Watch for their sucks and swallows, as a sleepy baby may not be transferring enough milk and may just be having a cuddle. If your baby is not sucking and swallowing well, you can try switch feeding, offering one breast for a few minutes and then switching to the other breast to encourage better milk transfer.
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Change their diaper
Changing your newborn's diaper can be a good way to wake them up gently and stimulate their senses. However, it is generally advised that you should not wake a sleeping baby to change their diaper unless necessary.
If your baby has an open sore or a serious diaper rash that requires monitoring, it is important to change their diaper and wake them up if needed. A diaper rash can be caused by leaving a baby in a soiled diaper for too long, especially if they are formula-fed, as their poop is more likely to irritate their skin. In such cases, it is recommended to change their diaper promptly to prevent further skin irritation.
Additionally, if your baby has pooped, you may want to change them soon, but it is not always necessary to do so immediately. Breastfed babies' poop is less irritating to the skin, so if they are sleeping soundly and you think they will wake up soon, you can wait a little while. On the other hand, formula-fed babies may require more prompt changing to prevent diaper rash or skin irritation.
It is worth noting that many newborns will naturally wake up when they poop, and you can also try to change them without fully waking them. Keep the lights low, move slowly, and avoid startling them with cold wipes. As your baby grows out of the newborn stage, you may find that you can be more flexible with diaper changes and not need to wake them as frequently.
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Sing or hum softly
Singing or humming softly is a great way to wake your newborn and can be a beautiful bonding experience for you both. It can be distressing for new parents to have to wake their sleeping baby, but it is important to do so to ensure they are getting enough to eat. Newborns have tiny stomachs and need to feed often, so they wake up to eat every couple of hours, both day and night.
Singing or humming a calming tune is a gentle way to wake your baby. You can start singing as you approach your baby, creating a peaceful environment for feeding time. You can also hum a sweet tune or talk in a low, soothing voice as you gently touch your baby. You can lightly massage their cheek or back, stroke their feet and hands, or give them a little tickle on the bottom of their feet.
You can also pair singing with other methods to wake your newborn. For example, you could sing while giving your baby a nappy change, or while holding them upright, which usually causes newborns to open their eyes. You could also try singing with the lights dimmed, as a brightly lit room may cause your baby to keep their eyes shut.
If your newborn is fussy, you can also try rocking and cuddling them as you sing, or swaddling them in a light blanket. Singing can be a great way to soothe your baby as you wake them for a feed.
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Frequently asked questions
Here are some tips to help wake your newborn for feeding:
- Try adjusting the lighting—brightening the room can increase alertness.
- Gently rock your baby in a rhythmic motion to mimic the soothing sensation of the womb.
- Sing or hum softly to your baby—the familiar sound of your voice can help them transition from sleep to wakefulness.
- Change their diaper—this is a simple way to stimulate your baby and encourage them to wake up.
- Undress them—the sensation of cool air on their skin may help rouse your newborn.
- Stroke their ears, neck, or feet—the physical stimulation can help keep them awake during feedings.
Newborns have unique hunger cues, and it's important to recognize these indications to build a feeding schedule that works for your child. Some signs that your baby may be hungry include smacking lips, sucking on hands or fists, or making sucking motions.
In the first few weeks of life, newborns may not demand feed or breastfeed effectively, so it's important to wake them for feedings to ensure adequate nutrition and weight gain. In general, it's recommended to feed a newborn under two weeks of age and/or not yet back to birth weight every 2-3 hours, or at least 8 times in 24 hours.
