Ashwin Lewis
As a new parent, you may be wondering if it's okay to let your newborn sleep through a feeding. After all, sleep is precious for both you and your baby. While it's important to let your baby rest, it's also crucial to ensure they're getting adequate nutrition. Newborns have tiny tummies, so they need to feed frequently - about every two to four hours, depending on whether they are breastfed or bottle-fed. During the first few weeks, it's recommended to wake your baby for feedings if they sleep for more than four to five hours at a time. This is important for their weight gain and your milk supply if you're breastfeeding. As your baby grows, they'll need fewer night feeds and may sleep for longer stretches. However, always prioritize your baby's health and consult with your pediatrician if you have any concerns about their feeding or sleeping habits.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How often should newborns be fed? | Breastfed newborns should be fed every 2-3 hours. Bottle-fed newborns can go a bit longer, typically 3-4 hours. |
| How long do newborns sleep for? | Newborns sleep for about 30 minutes to 3 hours at a time. They wake up for about 2 hours before going back to sleep. |
| Should newborns be woken up to be fed? | Yes, newborns should be woken up to be fed if they sleep for more than 4-5 hours at a time during the first two weeks. |
| How to wake a newborn up to feed? | Hold the baby upright, dim the lights, talk and sing to the baby, and massage their hands, feet, arms, back, and shoulders. |
| Safe sleeping practices for newborns | Newborns should sleep on their back on a firm, flat surface. Avoid using products that are not designed for sleeping babies, such as car seats, feeding pillows, or infant loungers. |
| Room-sharing and bed-sharing | Room-sharing, where the baby sleeps in the same room as the parents in a separate crib or bassinet, is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Bed-sharing is not recommended as it increases the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related deaths. |
| Establishing a sleep schedule | It may take a few weeks for a baby's brain to distinguish between night and day. Keep things quiet and calm during middle-of-the-night feedings and diaper changes. Let the baby fall asleep in their crib at night to establish the association between the crib and sleep. |
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What You'll Learn
- Newborns need to feed every 2-4 hours, so they may need to be woken up
- Babies should sleep in a safe environment, free from hazards
- Breastfeeding mothers need to maintain milk supply by feeding often
- A baby's sleep pattern is linked to how often they need to eat
- Room-sharing is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
Newborns need to feed every 2-4 hours, so they may need to be woken up
Newborns have tiny tummies, so they get hungry not long after feeding. They need to feed every 2-4 hours, even if they are sleeping peacefully. This is because they are growing fast and their bodies cannot take a break from nutrition. Not getting enough to eat can slow down newborn weight gain, which is crucial in the first few weeks of life. It can also lead to complications linked to jaundice and low blood sugar. If you are breastfeeding, not feeding often enough can also slow down your milk production.
For this reason, it is recommended to wake your baby to feed if they sleep more than 4-5 hours at a time for the first two weeks. After that, it's okay to let your baby sleep for longer periods at night. If your baby is formula-fed, they can go a little longer between feedings, typically 3-4 hours. It is important to note that every baby is different, and you should talk to your baby's pediatrician about what's right for them.
If your baby is breastfeeding, carry on feeding until you think they have finished or until they are fully asleep. You can also try doing a dream feed, which is rousing your baby for a feed just before you go to bed. To wake your baby for feeding, try holding them upright, which usually causes newborns to open their eyes. You can also dim the lights, talk and sing to your baby, and make eye contact. Massaging your baby's hands, feet, arms, back, and shoulders can also help to wake them up gently.
It is important to remember that newborns follow their own schedule, and it may take a few weeks for their brains to develop an internal 24-hour rhythm that tells them when they should be awake and when they should sleep. This is called a "circadian rhythm" in adults. During this time, it is crucial to be patient with your baby and yourself, as the first few months can be challenging for parents.
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Babies should sleep in a safe environment, free from hazards
While it may be tempting to let your newborn sleep through a feeding, it is important to prioritise their health and weight gain by maintaining a regular nursing schedule. For the first two weeks, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends waking your baby to feed if they sleep for more than four to five hours at a time. This is crucial for your newborn's weight gain, as well as for establishing a healthy milk supply if you are breastfeeding.
To ensure your baby sleeps in a safe environment, free from hazards, there are several guidelines to follow. Firstly, always place your baby on their back to sleep, both for naps and at night. Sleeping on their back reduces the risk of Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID), which includes Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), and prevents accidental suffocation or strangulation. Sharing a room with your baby is recommended, as it can decrease the risk of SIDS by up to 50% and is safer than bed-sharing.
It is important to provide a firm sleep surface for your baby, as soft surfaces can increase the risk of SUID. Avoid using loose blankets, pillows, stuffed toys, bumpers, and other soft items in the sleep space. Products labelled as weighted, such as weighted sleepers, swaddles, sleep sacks, and blankets, are not safe for infants. Instead of blankets, consider using sleep sacks or wearable blankets to keep your baby warm.
Additionally, breastfeeding is recommended if possible, and it is important to avoid smoking. Following these guidelines from the AAP can help prevent infant sleep deaths and create a safe sleep environment for your newborn.
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Breastfeeding mothers need to maintain milk supply by feeding often
Breastfeeding has numerous benefits for both mother and child, and it is natural and rewarding. However, it is not without its challenges. One of the main challenges for breastfeeding mothers is maintaining milk supply by feeding often enough.
Newborns are growing fast and need to feed every two to three hours, even if they are sleeping peacefully. This can be demanding, but it is important to keep up the pace for your baby's health and your milk supply. Not feeding often enough can slow down your milk production, as your body is only just establishing the demand-and-supply cycle. The more your baby suckles and stimulates the nipple, the more prolactin is produced, and the more milk your body will produce. This is particularly important in the first few weeks when lactation is becoming established.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends waking your baby to feed if they sleep for more than four to five hours at a time during the first two weeks. To ensure your baby gets enough milk, nursing sessions should last long enough for them to empty at least one breast. Some babies take 20 minutes or longer to do this, while others can take 10 minutes or less.
If you are facing challenges with milk supply, you can seek advice from a lactation consultant or breastfeeding medicine specialist. These certified health professionals can help you overcome issues that might otherwise lead you to stop breastfeeding.
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A baby's sleep pattern is linked to how often they need to eat
Newborns' tummies are tiny, so they get hungry not long after feeding. They also can't tell the difference between day and night. It takes a few weeks for their brains to develop an internal 24-hour rhythm, or what adults know as a "circadian rhythm." During this time, it helps to keep things quiet and calm during middle-of-the-night feedings and diaper changes. Keeping the lights low and refraining from playing with or talking to your baby will send the message that nighttime is for sleeping.
If your baby sleeps through a feeding, you should wake them up to feed them. This is especially important for the first two weeks to ensure they gain weight and for your milk supply. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends waking your baby to feed if they sleep more than four to five hours at a time during this period. Not getting enough to eat can slow down newborn weight gain and lead to complications linked to jaundice and low blood sugar. It can also slow down your milk production if you're breastfeeding.
After the first couple of weeks, it's okay to let your baby sleep for longer periods at night. Some babies start to sleep through the night (for five to six hours at a time) by two to four months of age, but this can vary. Most babies start sleeping through the night by six months.
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Room-sharing is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
For the first few weeks of a baby's life, some parents choose to room-share. This involves placing the baby's crib or bassinet in the parents' bedroom instead of a separate nursery. Room-sharing is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) because it keeps the baby nearby, which helps with feeding, comforting, and monitoring at night.
The AAP recommends room-sharing without bed-sharing. Bed-sharing is not safe and increases the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) and other sleep-related deaths. A firm, flat sleep surface with a snug-fitting sheet should be provided, and the baby should always be placed on their back to sleep, not on their stomach or side.
Room-sharing allows parents to easily feed, comfort, and monitor their baby during the night. Newborns wake up frequently to feed, as their tummies are tiny, and they get hungry soon after nursing. They need to be fed every two to four hours, depending on whether they are breastfed or bottle-fed. Breastfed newborns need to be fed more frequently, about every two to three hours. Bottle-fed babies can go a bit longer between feedings, typically three to four hours.
During the first few weeks, it is important to wake your baby to feed if they sleep for more than four to five hours at a time. This helps with their weight gain and ensures your milk supply is established and maintained. Not feeding often enough can slow down milk production in breastfeeding mothers.
Additionally, room-sharing can help parents settle into a routine with their baby. Keeping the room calm and quiet during middle-of-the-night feedings and diaper changes can teach the baby that nighttime is for sleeping. It is also beneficial to let the baby fall asleep in their crib at night to reinforce the association between the crib and sleep.
In summary, room-sharing is recommended by the AAP because it facilitates feeding, comforting, and monitoring the baby during the night while also providing a safe sleep environment that reduces the risk of SIDS.
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Frequently asked questions
Newborns need to be fed every two to four hours, or every three to four hours if bottle-feeding.
No, newborns need to be fed regularly to ensure they gain weight and to ensure the mother's milk supply is maintained. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends waking your baby to feed if they sleep for more than four to five hours at a time during the first two weeks.
Try holding your baby upright, which usually causes newborns to open their eyes. You can also dim the lights, talk and sing to your baby, and make eye contact. Massaging your baby's hands, feet, arms, back and shoulders can also help wake them up.
Not getting enough to eat can slow down newborn weight gain and lead to complications linked to jaundice and low blood sugar. It can also slow down the mother's milk production if breastfeeding.
