Miya Pearson
It is common for newborns to fall asleep while feeding, especially while nursing. This is because breast milk encourages the flow of feel-good hormones like oxytocin and cholecystokinin, promoting restfulness and feelings of security and safety. However, if your newborn sleeps through a feeding, they may not be getting enough nutrition, which can slow down newborn weight gain and affect the mother's milk production. Therefore, it is important to wake your baby to feed if they sleep more than four hours at a time for the first two weeks.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How often newborns need to eat | Every two to four hours |
| How long newborns sleep | Two-thirds of the time in the first few weeks |
| Newborn weight loss | 5-10% of their body weight in the days after birth |
| Newborn weight gain | 200-235g per week for the first 2-3 months |
| Hunger cues | Lip smacking, rooting, finger sucking, crying |
| Newborn sleep pattern | No distinction between night and day |
| Newborns with jaundice | Sleepy |
| Newborn room temperature | 18°C |
| Newborns with tongue tie | Sleepy |
| Newborns born prematurely | Sleepy |
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What You'll Learn
- Newborns need to feed every 2-4 hours, so you may need to wake them up
- Sleepy newborns may need help nursing effectively and getting enough milk
- Not feeding often enough can slow down milk production
- Babies can fall asleep while feeding due to the release of feel good hormones
- Tips to keep your baby awake during feeding
Newborns need to feed every 2-4 hours, so you may need to wake them up
It's understandable that you may be reluctant to wake up your newborn, especially when they look so peaceful. However, newborns are growing fast, and their bodies can't take a break. That's why it's essential to keep up with their nursing schedule, even if it means disturbing them while they're asleep.
Breastfeeding newborns need to feed every two to three hours. Formula-fed babies can go three to four hours between feedings during the first month because formula takes longer to digest. Not getting enough to eat can slow down newborn weight gain and lead to complications like jaundice and low blood sugar. It can also impact your milk production if you're breastfeeding, as you're establishing the demand-and-supply cycle.
- Feed during active sleep or REM sleep.
- Keep the room temperature comfortable, and undress your baby if it's warm.
- Offer your expressed milk after breastfeeding to help them feed more effectively next time.
- Try skin-to-skin contact, and express a little colostrum for your baby to taste.
- Change your baby's diaper or give them a warm bath to rouse them gently.
- Gently massage their back, or stroke their feet and hands to stimulate them.
- Breast compressions can help your baby get more milk and encourage them to keep sucking.
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Sleepy newborns may need help nursing effectively and getting enough milk
It is common for newborns to sleep through feeding, as they do not initially distinguish between night and day. They sleep when they are tired, and their unpredictable sleep cycles can be exhausting for new parents. However, it is important to ensure that newborns are nursing effectively and getting enough milk to support their rapid growth and development.
Sleepy newborns may need help nursing effectively, as they can tire easily and fall asleep without taking in enough milk. To help them nurse actively, parents can try various techniques, such as feeding during active sleep or REM sleep, keeping the room temperature cool, and undressing or unwrapping the baby to prevent them from getting too warm. Additionally, a deep and comfortable latch is crucial, as a poor latch can make it harder for the baby to extract milk, leading to fatigue and sleepiness.
If a baby is too sleepy to nurse effectively, parents can try gently rousing them by changing their nappy, giving them a warm bath, or holding them skin-to-skin. Expressing a small amount of colostrum or milk and letting it fall into the baby's mouth may also stimulate their sucking reflex. Breast compressions can help increase milk flow, encouraging the baby to suck and swallow more.
It is important to monitor whether a sleepy newborn is getting enough milk. Signs of effective feeding include frequent dirty nappies, increasing alertness, and weight gain. Newborns typically regain their birth weight by 10-14 days, gaining around 200-235g per week for the first 2-3 months. If a baby is not gaining weight adequately, skilled help should be sought to ensure they are getting enough milk.
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Not feeding often enough can slow down milk production
Newborns have very different sleep patterns from adults. They sleep when they are tired and feed when they are hungry. In the first few weeks, they will likely sleep two-thirds of the time, but their unpredictable feeding and sleep cycles will keep you on your toes. They also do not understand the difference between night and day.
It is understandable that you may be reluctant to wake your newborn up for a feeding, especially when they look so peaceful. However, it is important to keep up the pace of their nursing schedule for their health and 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 for the first two weeks.
Breast milk is digested easily and quickly. This, coupled with a newborn's tiny tummy, means that your baby has a physiological need to nurse about every two to three hours. If your baby is formula-fed, they can go three to four hours between feedings during the first month because formula takes longer to digest.
Not feeding often enough can slow down your milk production if you are breastfeeding. In the early days, you are establishing the demand-and-supply cycle that keeps producing the perfect amount of milk to meet your baby's needs. If you go for long periods without breastfeeding, it might reduce the amount of milk you make. Therefore, it is recommended that you gently rouse your baby when they are overdue for a feeding. If your baby is sleepy, try feeding them when they are in active REM sleep. You can also try undressing and unwrapping your baby and holding them skin-to-skin, changing their nappy, or giving them a warm bath before feeding.
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Babies can fall asleep while feeding due to the release of feel good hormones
It is common for babies to fall asleep while feeding, especially while nursing. This is due to the release of "feel-good" hormones like oxytocin and cholecystokinin, which promote restfulness and feelings of security and safety. Breast milk, and especially suckling at the breast, encourages the flow of these hormones. Newborns have a lot of growth and development in the early weeks, and their bodies need a lot of sleep and nutrition. Given their need to eat and sleep, sleepiness during feeding is to be expected.
However, while it is normal for newborns to sleep through a feeding, it is important to ensure they are getting enough nutrition. 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 milk production for breastfeeding mothers. Therefore, it is recommended to wake your baby to feed if they sleep more than four to five hours at a time during the first two weeks. After this period, you can wake your baby if they are eating less than eight times per day, having trouble gaining weight, or sleeping for four hours or more more than once per day.
If your baby is too sleepy to feed effectively, you can try undressing them and holding them skin-to-skin, changing their nappy, giving them a warm bath, or massaging their back and stroking their feet and hands. You can also try feeding them when they are in an active sleep period, or REM sleep. Breast compressions can also help your baby get more milk at the breast.
In the first few weeks with a new baby, it can feel exhausting due to their unpredictable feeding and sleep cycles. Newborns do not initially distinguish between night and day, so it is the parents' job to get them into a good day-night cycle. During the day, you can make feeds fun with time talking and cuddling, keep the curtains slightly open, and maintain everyday noises. At night, keep feeds short and different from daytime feeds by giving them in the bedroom.
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Tips to keep your baby awake during feeding
It is common for babies to fall asleep while feeding, especially while nursing. Breast milk encourages the flow of "feel-good" hormones like oxytocin and cholecystokinin, promoting restfulness and feelings of security and safety. However, if your baby is too sleepy, they may need your help to ensure they are nursing effectively and getting enough milk. Here are some tips to keep your baby awake during feeding:
- Keep the room temperature at around 18°C or undress your baby a little if the room is warm. Being too hot can make a baby sleepy.
- Feed your baby when they are in an active sleep period, or REM sleep.
- If your baby is extra sleepy in the early days, you may need to wake them to make sure they get enough milk. Try undressing and unwrapping your baby and holding them skin-to-skin.
- Express a little colostrum by squeezing your areola and letting a few drops fall into your baby's mouth.
- Change your baby's diaper.
- Give your baby a warm bath.
- Gently massage your baby's back in circular motions or run your finger across their cheek and chin.
- Breast compressions can help your baby get more milk at the breast. When their sucking slows or stops, breast compressions increase the flow of breast milk, encouraging your baby to suck and swallow more.
- Give your baby your expressed milk after breastfeeding. This can help them overcome sleepiness and feed more effectively next time.
- Make day feeds fun with time talking and cuddling. Keep your everyday noises normal—for example, use the vacuum cleaner and shower, even if your baby is sleeping. Most babies sleep through household noises.
- It is important to feed your baby at least 8–12 times in 24 hours during the first few weeks to help them gain weight and stimulate your milk production.
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Frequently asked questions
It is quite common for newborns to sleep through their feedings. Here are some things to keep in mind and tips to help with feeding:
- Newborns need to feed every two to three hours, so it is important to wake your baby up if they sleep through a feeding.
- Not getting enough to eat can slow down newborn weight gain and affect your milk production.
- Try to gently rouse your sleeping baby by keeping them close to you, undressing and unwrapping them, holding them skin-to-skin, or changing their nappy.
- Breast milk encourages the flow of "feel good" hormones, promoting restfulness and feelings of security and safety, so it is normal and common for babies to fall asleep while feeding.
Here are some tips to keep your newborn awake during feedings:
- Keep the room temperature cool at around 18°C and undress your baby if the room is warm.
- Feed your baby when they are in an active sleep period, or REM sleep.
- Breast compressions can help your baby get more milk and encourage them to suck and swallow.
- If your baby falls asleep quickly during a feed, try undressing them, changing their diaper, or rubbing their back to rouse them.
Newborns need to feed frequently, about every two to three hours. Formula-fed babies can go three to four hours between feedings during the first month. It is important to watch your baby for signs that they are getting enough milk, such as frequent poos and wet nappies, and increasing alertness.
Most of the time, your baby will send out hunger cues such as lip-smacking, rooting, finger-sucking, or crying when they are hungry. They may also show signs of distress, such as crying or fussing, which could indicate that they are hungry.
