Waking Newborns: When To Interrupt Their Sleep During The Day

Newborns don't have a sense of day and night and sleep around the clock, waking every few hours to eat. The National Sleep Foundation says newborns should get 14-17 hours of sleep over 24 hours, with some sleeping up to 18-19 hours a day. While it's generally best not to wake a sleeping baby, there are times when it's necessary, such as when they've slept through a daytime or nighttime feed. Waking a baby from a nap or in the morning can also help set them up for better overall sleep and ensure they get the calories they need.

It's time for a daytime feeding

If your baby is sleeping through their daytime feedings, it's important to wake them up to ensure they get the nutrition and calories they need. Getting adequate nutrition during the day will help your baby sleep better at night. Most pediatricians recommend waking your baby for a feeding if it's been longer than 3-4 hours since their last feed.

• Undress and unwrap your baby, then hold them skin-to-skin.
• Express a little colostrum by squeezing your areola and let a few drops fall into your baby's mouth.
• Change your baby's diaper.
• Try different feeding positions.
• 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 them and raise them into a sitting position, repeating a few times.
• Gently massage their back in circular motions or stroke their feet and hands.

Once your baby is feeding, you can use some of these same techniques to keep them awake and actively feeding. For example, you can switch breasts each time their sucking slows or they start to get sleepy. You can also try breast compressions, which help increase the flow of breastmilk, encouraging your baby to suck and swallow more.

Remember, if you have any concerns about your baby's overall intake or behaviour, it's always best to check with your doctor or pediatrician.

It's time for their nap to end

So, your baby has been napping for a while and you're wondering if it's time for them to wake up. Here are some things to consider:

Firstly, it's important to understand that newborns don't have a sense of day and night yet. They sleep around the clock and wake up frequently to feed. Newborns should get 14-17 hours of sleep over 24 hours, according to the National Sleep Foundation, with some sleeping up to 18-19 hours a day. This sleep is crucial for their growth and development.

Now, if your baby has been napping for a while, it might be time to wake them gently if:

• They've been napping for over 2 hours: If your baby is taking multiple naps a day, it's best not to let any one nap go longer than 2 hours. This helps ensure they get the active time they need and maintain a healthy bedtime routine.
• They're due for a feeding: Babies shouldn't go without feeding for more than 3-4 hours. If it's been a while since their last feed, it's important to wake them gently to ensure they get the nutrition they need.
• You have a schedule to keep: If you need to leave the house for work or an appointment, you may need to wake your baby to stick to your schedule. Just be sure to follow age-appropriate wake windows for the rest of the day.
• They're sleeping in a car seat: If you've returned home and your baby is still asleep in their car seat, it's important to take them out and place them in a safe sleeping environment.

When waking your baby, start with gentle methods such as singing softly or stroking their cheek. You can also try the skin-to-skin method by laying them on your bare chest. If they're still hard to rouse, you can try more stimulating activities like a diaper change or turning off white noise.

Remember, every baby is unique and you should always listen to your instincts and their cues. If you're ever concerned about their sleep or feeding habits, don't hesitate to reach out to your paediatrician or healthcare provider for advice.

It's time to start the day

As a new parent, you may be eager to start the day bright and early, but your newborn's sleep schedule can be unpredictable. Newborns don't have a sense of day and night yet, so they sleep and wake throughout the 24-hour cycle.

Why You Should Wake Your Newborn

It's important to establish a healthy sleep schedule for your baby, and sometimes that means waking them up. Here's why:

• Daytime Feeding: Newborns need to feed every 2-4 hours, so if your baby has been asleep for longer than that, it's time to wake them for a feed. Getting enough calories during the day will help them sleep better at night.
• Start the Day: Aim to start your baby's day by 8 am, or 12-12.5 hours after bedtime. This ensures they get enough active time during the day and promotes a healthy bedtime.
• Work Schedule: If you have to leave the house for work, you may need to wake your baby to get going on time.
• Daily Activities: Sometimes, your baby's nap time will clash with an important activity or appointment. In this case, you may need to wake them earlier than usual or from their nap to accommodate your schedule.

How to Wake Your Newborn

The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests gentle methods to wake your baby. Start with singing or stroking their cheek, and if that doesn't work, try changing their diaper or laying them on your bare chest. You can also try these tips:

• Skin-to-skin: Strip your baby down to their diaper and lay them on your bare chest. You can also try lightly tickling or flicking their feet.
• Wait for Movement: If your baby's limbs are limp, they're in a deep sleep. Wait for some movement in their arms, legs, and face before trying to wake them.
• Curtains and White Noise: Sometimes, simple actions like opening the curtains or turning off white noise can be enough to gently wake your baby.

Remember, it's important to prioritize your baby's sleep and feeding needs. If you're unsure, consult your pediatrician for advice on sleep schedules and feeding routines.

You're trying to adjust your day to accommodate an activity

It's understandable that you may need to adjust your day to accommodate an activity or appointment. This may mean waking your baby earlier than usual in the morning to fit in a nap, or even waking them from a nap early to make it to your appointment on time.

If you need to be out of the house by a certain time, it's a good idea to wake your baby by 7:00 or 7:30 at the latest to get your day started. This will help ensure that their sleep schedule doesn't shift too late, which can impact their bedtime and overall sleep quality.

If you're trying to accommodate an activity or appointment during your baby's typical nap time, you may need to adjust their sleep schedule accordingly. For example, if your baby usually takes a nap around 3:00 pm, but you have an appointment at that time, you may need to wake them from their nap early. In this case, it's important to ensure they still get enough sleep during the day by providing an opportunity for them to take a shorter nap at a different time.

It's important to prioritize your baby's sleep and feeding schedule as much as possible. However, there may be times when you need to be flexible and make adjustments to accommodate activities or appointments. As long as these adjustments don't become a regular occurrence, they are unlikely to cause any significant disruptions to your baby's sleep patterns.

Remember, newborns don't have a strong sense of day and night, and their sleep patterns can vary widely. As they grow older, their sleep will start to consolidate, and you can gradually work towards establishing a more fixed sleep schedule.

You've arrived home and your baby is asleep in the car seat

The first thing to know is that you should never leave your baby asleep in a car seat outside of the car. If you need to go inside a store, for example, and your baby is asleep in the car, it's best to keep them safely buckled and within your line of sight. However, once you arrive at your final destination, it's important to take your baby out of the car seat. Car seats are not designed for sleeping babies and can be unsafe.

So, what are the best ways to wake your baby? Firstly, it's important to note that you shouldn't wake your baby every time they fall asleep during the day. Newborns need a lot of sleep—up to 18-19 hours a day—and it's important to let them sleep when they need to. However, there are times when you will need to wake your sleeping newborn, and this includes when they need to feed.

Newborns should be fed every 2-4 hours, so if it's been longer than 3-4 hours since their last feed, it's time to wake your baby and offer a feeding. Getting enough calories during the day will help your baby sleep better at night. You might also need to wake your baby if they are taking a nap but need to feed soon—you don't want them to miss out on their calories for the day.

Another reason to wake your baby is if you need to start your day. It's important to try to stick to a consistent routine, and most little ones need around 12-13 hours of daytime. A good rule of thumb is to start your day no later than 8 am, or 12-12.5 hours after bedtime. This will help protect a healthy bedtime and ensure your baby gets enough active time during the day.

So, how do you wake a sleeping baby? The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests starting with gentle methods such as singing or stroking your baby's cheek. You could also try skin-to-skin contact by laying your baby on your bare chest—most babies will start to stir when they smell their mother. You can also try lightly tickling or flicking their feet. If these methods don't work, you might need to try more stimulating activities such as diaper changing.

Frequently asked questions