Evie Summers
It is common for newborns to sleep a lot during their first few weeks of life, and they may even fall asleep while breastfeeding. This can be due to a variety of factors, such as the release of the hormone cholecystokinin (CCK), which makes babies feel full and sleepy, or a shallow latch, which causes a slow milk flow that bores the baby. In some cases, underlying medical conditions, such as jaundice, may be the cause. If you are concerned about your baby's sleepiness, you can try techniques such as skin-to-skin contact, changing their nappy, or burping them to wake them up and encourage feeding.
Why does my newborn sleep while breastfeeding?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Hormones | Cholecystokinin (CCK) is released in the gut of a baby as soon as they start sucking, making them feel full and sleepy. Younger babies tend to have higher concentrations of CCK. |
| Physical closeness with caregiver | The rhythmic motion of nursing or bottle-feeding can be very soothing and help lull a baby to sleep. |
| Adjustment | Newborns are adjusting to life outside the womb, which can be tiring. |
| Day-night confusion | Newborns may still have their days and nights mixed up, causing them to sleep a lot during the day when they are meant to be fed. |
| Shallow latch | A shallow latch can cause a slow milk flow, which may cause the baby to lose interest and fall asleep. |
| Jaundice | Jaundice is a common newborn condition that can make babies extra sleepy. |
| Underlying medical conditions | In rare cases, the baby may have an underlying medical condition such as a cardiac or respiratory condition. |
| Medication | Medication given during labor may cause a baby to be tired. |
| Infection | A slight infection may cause the baby to be sleepy. |
| Not hungry | The baby may simply not be hungry enough to take a full feeding. |
| Day-time sleep | If the baby is getting enough sleep during the day, they may not need to stay awake to feed. |
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What You'll Learn
- A newborn's sleepiness could be due to jaundice, lethargy, or poor feeding
- A shallow latch can cause a slow milk flow, making the baby lose interest and fall asleep
- Skin-to-skin contact stimulates a newborn's natural feeding instinct and encourages them to feed
- The rhythmic motion of nursing mimics sensations in the womb, lulling the baby to sleep
- A newborn may be too tired to eat well or simply not hungry enough for a full feeding
A newborn's sleepiness could be due to jaundice, lethargy, or poor feeding
It is common for newborns to sleep a lot and be hard to keep awake. They are adjusting to life outside the womb, and this process is tiring. Plus, newborns often get their days and nights mixed up, causing them to sleep a lot during the day when they should be feeding.
However, if your baby is sleeping too much, it could be a sign of jaundice, lethargy, or poor feeding. Jaundice is a common condition in newborns that causes extra sleepiness. It can be identified by yellowish skin and eyes, fewer wet or dirty diapers, and fussiness. If you suspect your baby has jaundice, consult a pediatrician to rule out any serious health concerns.
Lethargy is a sign of illness or underlying conditions such as low blood sugar or an infection. It is characterized by a change in your baby's typical energy level or consciousness, and they may appear sleepy or drowsy. If your baby is lethargic and showing other signs of illness, such as vomiting or fever, seek medical attention immediately.
Poor feeding can also contribute to a newborn's sleepiness. If your baby is not latching well, they may not be getting enough milk, leading to sleepiness. A good latch means the baby's mouth is wide open, taking in a good portion of the areola. Skin-to-skin contact and techniques like switch nursing can help stimulate your baby to feed. If your baby continues to have difficulty latching, consult a lactation consultant or seek medical advice.
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A shallow latch can cause a slow milk flow, making the baby lose interest and fall asleep
It is common for newborns to sleep a lot during their first few weeks of life, and they may even sleep through feeding sessions. While this is normal, it can be frustrating if your baby is not getting enough milk and nutrients. One reason for this could be a shallow latch, which can cause a slow milk flow, making the baby lose interest and fall asleep.
A shallow latch means that the baby is not sucking effectively, and therefore the milk flow is slower. This can cause the baby to quickly lose interest and fall asleep. A good latch, on the other hand, means that the baby's mouth is wide open and they are taking in a good portion of the areola. A deep latch will help the baby get more milk and stay awake during feedings.
If you think your baby has a shallow latch, there are a few things you can try to improve it. One technique is called switch nursing, where you switch between breasts during a feeding session. This can help stimulate the baby's interest and improve milk flow. Another technique is breast compression, where you gently squeeze or massage your breast to encourage more milk flow and help the baby feel the milk hitting the back of their throat, stimulating them to swallow.
Skin-to-skin contact is also an effective way to wake a sleepy baby and encourage feeding. This can be done by holding the baby belly-to-belly or chest-to-chest, allowing them to tap into their newborn instincts and search for the breast. Skin-to-skin contact also helps boost the hormones that make milk and stimulate the baby's breast-seeking behaviours. Additionally, it is important to pay attention to your baby's early feeding cues, such as subtle wiggles or movements that signal they are ready to feed.
If your baby continues to have difficulty latching and falls asleep frequently during feedings, it is important to seek professional help. A lactation consultant or medical professional can provide guidance and support to ensure your baby is getting enough milk and nutrients.
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Skin-to-skin contact stimulates a newborn's natural feeding instinct and encourages them to feed
It is common for newborns to sleep a lot during the first few weeks of their life. They may even sleep through their feeding sessions, which can be a concern for parents. One of the reasons why newborns fall asleep while breastfeeding is due to the release of the hormone cholecystokinin (CCK) in their gut as soon as they start sucking. Younger babies tend to have higher concentrations of CCK, which can make them sleepier during feeds.
Additionally, skin-to-skin contact can help with the baby's self-attachment and feeding behaviours. Babies have an instinct to search for and locate the breast, and skin-to-skin contact facilitates this process. They may lick, smell, and explore, and may even latch onto the breast themselves without any assistance. This early skin-to-skin contact can also help prevent problems at subsequent breastfeeds and can result in better feeding overall.
If your baby is having difficulty staying awake during feeds, there are some things you can try. You can gently stroke their hands and feet to stimulate them to stay awake, or give them a gentle back rub while sitting them up. Changing your baby's nappy mid-feed can also help rouse them. It is important to monitor your baby and consult a healthcare professional if you have any concerns about their feeding or overall health.
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The rhythmic motion of nursing mimics sensations in the womb, lulling the baby to sleep
It is common for newborns to sleep while breastfeeding. In the first few weeks of a baby's life, they will sleep for the majority of their 24 hours. This is because they are adjusting to life outside the womb, and this transition can be tiring. Babies are biologically programmed to fall asleep at the breast due to the release of the hormone cholecystokinin (CCK) in their gut when they start sucking.
If your baby is falling asleep while breastfeeding, it is important to ensure they are getting enough milk. A good latch is essential, as a shallow latch can cause a slow milk flow that may cause the baby to lose interest and fall asleep. To improve latching, consider skin-to-skin contact, which can help your baby tap into their newborn instincts, including searching for and locating the breast. You can also try burping your baby, changing their nappy, or rubbing their back, hands, and feet to wake them up. If your baby is very sleepy, you can use breast compression techniques to help push milk from the breast, causing them to swallow.
If your baby is frequently falling asleep while breastfeeding and is not getting enough milk, it is important to seek professional help. A lactation consultant or medical professional can provide guidance and support to ensure your baby is getting the nutrition they need.
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A newborn may be too tired to eat well or simply not hungry enough for a full feeding
It is common for newborns to sleep a lot during their first few weeks of life. They are adjusting to life outside the womb, and this can be tiring. They may also have their days and nights mixed up, causing them to sleep a lot during the day when you are trying to feed them.
If your baby is too tired to eat well, it may be because they are not getting enough milk, which can make them sleepy. This could be due to a shallow latch, which causes a slow milk flow that the baby quickly loses interest in. A good latch means the baby's mouth is wide open, and they are taking in a good portion of the areola. Skin-to-skin contact can help your baby latch on and ignite their natural feeding instinct. It can also help you notice subtle feeding cues that you may otherwise miss.
If your baby is not getting enough milk, you can try breast compressions to help 'push' the milk from the breast. Your baby will feel the milk hitting the back of their throat, which will cause them to swallow. You can also try changing breasts to make it easier for your baby to fill their tummy.
If your baby is too tired to eat well, it may also be because they are not hungry enough for a full feeding. Babies who are gaining enough weight and producing enough wet diapers daily do not need to be woken up to feed. However, if your baby is not gaining adequate weight, you may need to wake them to feed.
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Frequently asked questions
Newborns often fall asleep at the breast, especially after feeling satisfied from a feeding. Babies also fall asleep during feedings due to the physical closeness with their caregiver. Additionally, the rhythmic motion of nursing or bottle-feeding can be very soothing and help lull a baby to sleep.
You'll know if your baby isn't nursing if you don't hear swallowing sounds, like little clicks, or see the jawbones moving. Other signs that your baby is full after a feeding include pulling away and becoming uninterested in continuing to feed, closing their lips and refusing to open their mouth, and having a relaxed body (hands are open instead of curled into fists).
If your baby is falling asleep while eating before they’re full, you’ll need to try some tactics to wake them up. You can gently stroke their hands and feet, sit them up and give them a gentle back rub, or change their nappy. You can also try skin-to-skin contact, which can help ignite your baby’s natural feeding instinct and encourage them to feed.
There can be many reasons why your newborn may be sleepier than usual. In the first few weeks after birth, medications given during labour may cause a baby to be tired. It could also be due to a slight infection, jaundice, or not latching at the breast very well, which can cause them to not get enough milk and become sleepier.
If your baby is frequently too sleepy to eat, you should check with a pediatrician. Babies may need to be awakened to breastfeed for medically indicated reasons such as jaundice, congenital heart disease, or illness. Additionally, if your baby is not gaining adequate weight, you should consult a lactation specialist or doctor.
