Herbie Murray
Newborns often fall asleep at the breast, especially after feeling satisfied from a feeding. This can be a good opportunity for new mothers to get some rest. However, it can be challenging to adjust the feeding schedule and maintain milk supply when newborns sleep through feedings. While it is common for newborns to have sleepy days and nights, it is important to ensure they are getting enough to eat. There are techniques and strategies to help newborns fall asleep independently and get the sleep and feedings they need.
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What You'll Learn
Breastfeeding and risk of SIDS
Breastfeeding a newborn can be a challenging task, and it is common for newborns to sleep through feedings. Newborns often fall asleep at the breast, especially after a satisfying feed. This can make it difficult for parents to adjust their feeding schedules and maintain their milk supply.
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is the leading cause of death in babies between one month and one year of age. Breastfeeding has been found to reduce the risk of SIDS. According to research, breastfeeding for at least two months can cut the risk of SIDS by half, and the longer a baby is breastfed, the greater the protection. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for at least the first six months of a baby's life. This means feeding only human milk with no added formula or other foods or liquids.
There are several reasons why breastfeeding may reduce the risk of SIDS. Firstly, breast milk provides nutrients that promote brain health and make babies less vulnerable to SIDS. Secondly, antibodies transferred through breast milk protect babies from infections that can increase the risk of SIDS. Additionally, breastfed babies arouse more easily from deep sleep and are more likely to cry or move out of a vulnerable position, such as face down on their sleep surface.
To further reduce the risk of SIDS, it is recommended to keep the baby's sleep area in the same room as the parents, preferably in a safety-approved crib or bassinet next to the bed. This allows for easier feeding and comforting, especially overnight. It is also important to avoid feeding the baby on couches or armchairs, as these surfaces carry a high risk of suffocation or entrapment if an adult falls asleep while feeding.
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Strategies to keep newborns awake during feeding
It is common for newborns to sleep through feedings, especially while nursing. Breast milk encourages the flow of "feel-good" hormones like oxytocin and cholecystokinin, promoting restfulness and feelings of security and safety.
- Keep the room well-lit. Sitting next to a window with sunlight during the day and turning on a lamp in the evening can help signal to your baby that it is not yet time to sleep.
- Keep your baby cool. Exposing their chest and feet to the air can help send a message to your baby that it is time to be awake.
- Undress your baby. Start by removing a sock or hat, and perhaps unzip their clothes a little.
- Engage with your baby. Sing, talk about your day, or read a short story while feeding.
- Give your baby rubs. Rub their back, run your finger down their cheek, or stroke the bottom of their feet.
- Burp your baby. Change their position and move them around a bit to help keep them awake.
- Change their diaper. The movement and fresh air might help to wake them up.
- Tickle their feet.
- Lay them on their back on a flat surface.
- Dampen a warm washcloth and use it to wipe their face and neck.
- Bathe them. A bath and a gentle massage may be enough to wake them up.
- Play with them. If you have other children, encourage them to play with their sibling.
- Offer a pacifier.
- Feed your baby upright.
- Switch breasts.
- Compress your breast at the end of feeding to encourage your baby to drink more.
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Newborns sleeping through the night
Newborns spend the majority of their 24 hours sleeping, and this can make it difficult to establish a good feeding routine. In the first few weeks of a baby's life, they will sleep for most of the day and will need to be fed every 2-3 hours. This can be challenging, especially for breastfeeding mothers, as newborns need to actively suckle to extract milk.
It is common for newborns to fall asleep during feedings, and this can be due to a number of reasons. They may be getting used to life outside the womb, or they may have their days and nights mixed up, causing them to sleep more during the day when feedings are scheduled. In some cases, a newborn may fall asleep while feeding because they are not latched on correctly and are therefore not getting enough milk. If you think this might be the case, you should contact a lactation consultant for advice.
If your baby is frequently falling asleep during feedings, there are some techniques you can try to keep them awake. These include undressing your baby, rubbing their back, tickling their feet, burping them, changing their diaper, or switching breasts. You can also try skin-to-skin contact, which allows your baby to tap into their newborn instincts and search for the breast. If your baby is frequently too sleepy to eat, you may need to wake them every 2.5-3 hours from the start of the last feeding.
As your baby grows, they will need fewer night feeds and will be able to sleep for longer stretches. Most babies will start sleeping for longer periods at around 3 months of age, and by 6 months, many will be sleeping for 8 hours or more at night. This can be a challenging time, as your established breastfeeding schedule may change, but your body will adjust to your baby's needs.
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How to adjust your feeding schedule
It is common for newborns to sleep for short bursts of 2-3 hours between feeds, both at night and during the day. Newborns need to feed every 2-4 hours, and they need attention throughout the day and night.
- In the early days, feed on demand, usually every 1-3 hours.
- Look for hunger cues vs sleep cues. Consider when they take in full feedings vs whenever they're just snacking or not latching.
- Most newborns have 5-7 naps a day, which equates to 8-12 feedings in 24 hours.
- From 3 months onwards, a baby may consolidate feedings and eat at more predictable times.
- If your baby is back up to their birth weight, it is okay to let them sleep in longer stretches overnight, as long as there are no concerns from your paediatrician about weight gain or feeding.
- If your baby is sleeping for longer, your body will readjust your milk supply based on when you nurse and how much your baby needs.
- If your baby is sleeping for longer stretches, you may want to consider pumping to maintain your milk supply.
- If your baby is sleeping through the night, you could try waking them for a "dream feed" before you go to bed. This may help you get a longer stretch of sleep.
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Safe sleep recommendations
It is common for newborns to fall asleep at the breast, especially after a feeding. While it is not unusual for breastfeeding newborns to sleep through feedings, it is important to be aware of safe sleep recommendations to reduce the risk of Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID). Here are some safe sleep practices to follow:
Safe Sleep Environment
- Ensure the sleeping area is close to your bed, such as a safety-approved crib or bassinet designed for infants.
- Remove all items and bedding from the area if you bring the baby into your bed for feeding or comforting. Pillows, blankets, and soft comforters can pose a risk of suffocation or strangulation.
- Keep the room dimly lit and minimize noise to help the baby understand that nighttime is for sleeping.
- Avoid using products that claim to reduce the risk of SIDS, such as sleep positioners or monitors that detect heart rate and breathing patterns.
- Do not let the baby sleep in the same room as a smoker.
- Do not use broken cribs or those with missing parts. Ensure the space between crib bars is no more than 2-3/8 inches to prevent the baby's head from getting stuck.
- Avoid smoking or using nicotine around the baby.
Sleep Position and Bed-Sharing
- Place the baby on their back to sleep, both during naps and at night.
- Do not share a bed with the baby, especially if they are very young, small, or premature. Bed-sharing increases the risk of SUID, especially if the adult falls asleep while feeding.
- If you bring the baby into your bed, return them to their separate sleep area as soon as you or they fall asleep.
- Avoid feeding or comforting the baby on couches, armchairs, or seating devices like swings or car seats (unless in a moving vehicle). These surfaces carry a high risk of entrapment and suffocation.
- Do not let the baby sleep in the same bed as other children or adults.
- If possible, room-share with the baby for at least the first six months.
Breastfeeding and Safe Sleep
- Breastfeed if possible, as it reduces the baby's risk of SIDS. Exclusive breastfeeding with human milk for at least the first six months is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
- Offer a pacifier at naptime and bedtime to babies under one year old to reduce the risk of SIDS. Introduce the pacifier after breastfeeding is established (usually after three weeks).
- Be cautious about your own sleep deprivation. If you feel tired before a feeding session, make changes to stay awake, such as setting a timer or asking someone to stay with you.
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Frequently asked questions
It is common for newborns to be sleepier during the day when you're trying to feed them, as they may still have their days and nights mixed up. They may also be too tired to feed well, or not hungry enough.
They may pull away and lose interest in feeding, close their lips and refuse more milk, or their body may be relaxed with open hands. They will also be content until their next feed in 2-3 hours.
Try undressing them to wake them up, tickling their feet, burping them, changing their diaper, or switching breasts. You could also try skin-to-skin contact, which can help wake them up and encourage them to feed.
You can try a developmentally appropriate strategy, such as teaching your baby that night-time is different from daytime. During the day, open the curtains and don't worry about keeping the house silent. At night, keep the room dimly lit and minimise noise to help them fall back to sleep.
Most newborns will sleep for around 18 hours a day, waking up repeatedly during the night for the first few months. From 2-4 months, they may start sleeping for longer stretches, and by 6 months, they may sleep through the night for 8 hours or more.
