Newborn Feeding: Waking Up For Nutrition

Newborns have different sleep patterns and feeding requirements compared to older babies and toddlers. They sleep around the clock, and because their tiny stomachs don't hold enough breast milk or formula to keep them satisfied for long, they need to be fed every 2-4 hours. This means that newborns should get 14-17 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period, with some sleeping up to 18-19 hours a day.

Many parents are told to wake their baby every 2-3 hours to feed, but this can be adapted to the baby's needs. Experts suggest feeding 8-12 times in a 24-hour period to ensure a steady weight gain and to establish milk supply, especially in the early weeks.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends waking your baby to feed if they sleep more than 4-5 hours at a time for the first two weeks. This is important for their health and the mother's milk supply.

Babies should be fed every 2-4 hours to ensure steady weight gain

Newborns have tiny stomachs, so they need to feed frequently—every two to four hours—to ensure they gain weight steadily. Here's why feeding your baby every 2-4 hours is essential for their growth and development:

Tiny Tummies, Big Appetite

Newborns have tiny stomachs that can't hold much food. Their tummies are only slightly bigger than a ping-pong ball in the first two weeks. This means they need to feed frequently to get enough nutrition. Breastfed babies typically feed every 2-3 hours, while formula-fed babies can go a bit longer, around 3-4 hours.

Digesting Breast Milk and Formula

Breast milk is easily and quickly digested by babies. This speedy digestion, coupled with their small stomach capacity, means they need to nurse frequently. Formula-fed babies can go a bit longer between feedings as formula takes longer to digest.

Weight Gain and Growth

Newborns need to gain back the weight they lost after birth, which is typically 5-10% of their body weight. Ensuring they feed every 2-4 hours helps them gain weight steadily. Not eating enough in the early days can also lead to jaundice and low blood sugar complications.

Establishing Milk Supply

Frequent feedings are crucial for establishing and regulating milk supply for breastfeeding mothers. Going long periods without feeding can reduce milk production. Waking your baby for feedings helps establish a healthy demand-and-supply cycle to meet your baby's nutritional needs.

Active Feeding and Alertness

It's important to keep newborns awake and actively feeding during mealtimes. They may fall asleep quickly during feedings, so you'll need to rouse them to ensure they get enough milk. Switching breasts, using breast compressions, and burping can help keep them awake and actively feeding.

When to Let Them Sleep

After the first couple of weeks, once your baby shows good weight gain, it's okay to let them sleep for longer periods at night. By this time, they will probably be awake for longer stretches and may not always fall asleep after feeding.

In summary, feeding your newborn every 2-4 hours is crucial for their weight gain, growth, and development. It also helps establish a healthy milk supply for breastfeeding mothers. After the first couple of weeks, as your baby gains weight and stays awake for longer stretches, you can let them sleep for longer periods at night.

Newborns should get 14-19 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period

Newborns have different sleep patterns from adults, and they sleep around the clock. They wake up every couple of hours to eat, and breastfed babies feed more often than bottle-fed babies. Newborns should get 14 to 19 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period.

Newborns have tiny stomachs, and they wake up frequently to eat. Breastfed babies feed about every 2 to 3 hours, while bottle-fed babies feed every 3 to 4 hours. It is important to wake your newborn to feed them if they sleep for longer stretches, especially until they show good weight gain, which usually happens within the first couple of weeks. After that, it is okay to let your baby sleep for longer periods at night.

The first few months can be challenging for parents, as they may have to get up multiple times during the night to tend to their baby. Each baby has a unique sleep pattern, and some may start sleeping for longer stretches of 5 to 6 hours by 2 to 3 months of age, while others may not.

To ensure your newborn is getting adequate nutrition and calories, it is recommended to wake them for feedings if it has been longer than 3 to 4 hours since the start of the last feeding. This will help them sleep better at night and ensure they are getting the necessary calories.

Additionally, it is important to pay attention to your baby's weight gain and growth. Not getting enough to eat can slow down weight gain and lead to complications like jaundice and low blood sugar. If you are breastfeeding, not feeding often enough can also impact your milk production. Therefore, it is crucial to gently rouse your baby when they are overdue for a feeding.

How to wake a newborn to feed: try singing, stroking their cheek, or placing them skin-to-skin

Newborns need to feed every two to four hours, even if they have been sleeping peacefully. This is because they are growing fast and their tiny stomachs don't hold enough breast milk or formula to keep them satisfied for long. They need to feed frequently to ensure a steady weight gain and to establish your milk supply.

If your newborn is sleeping for longer stretches, you should wake them to feed. Here are some techniques to help you wake your baby to feed:

• Try to wake your baby gently, avoiding any loud alarms that might startle them.
• Undress your baby, keeping the diaper on.
• Place your baby skin-to-skin against your tummy and breast, with a towel or lightweight blanket over their exposed back and head. Your body heat will keep them warm, and the skin-to-skin contact may help to rouse them.
• Try burping your baby first, while they are skin-to-skin with you.
• Sing or talk to your baby. Your voice may help to wake them up and stimulate their appetite.
• Stroke your baby's hands, feet, arms, back, and shoulders. Touch can be an effective way to wake your baby gently.
• Place a cool washcloth on your baby's forehead or rub it on their face.
• Feed your baby during an active sleep period, or REM sleep. They will move their arms and legs, change their facial expressions, and flutter their eyelids during this time. It is harder to wake your baby during a deep sleep.
• Hold your baby upright, which can help to encourage them to open their eyes.
• Dim the lights. A bright room may make your baby more likely to keep their eyes closed.
• Change your baby's diaper while singing or talking to them.
• Offer the second breast or bottle if your baby is still hungry after the first feeding.

How to keep a newborn awake during feedings: look for the suck-swallow-breath pattern

Newborns should be fed eight to 12 times in a 24-hour period to ensure steady weight gain and establish your milk supply. This can mean feeding your baby every two to four hours, including at least one nighttime feeding. It's important to keep newborns awake during feedings to ensure they're getting enough nutrition and gaining weight at a healthy rate. Here are some tips to keep your newborn awake during feedings:

• Gentle awakening: Avoid letting your alarm abruptly wake your baby. Instead, gently rouse them when it's time to eat.
• Skin-to-skin contact: Undress your baby but leave the diaper on, and try burping them first while holding them skin-to-skin.
• Breast compressions: Before nursing, do a breast compression to release the first let-down of milk. Continue with breast compressions throughout the feeding to encourage weight gain.
• Burping and diaper changes: After feeding, burp your baby again and change their diaper.
• Offer both breasts: Allow your baby to feed from the second breast if they're still hungry, which will further aid in weight gain.
• Look for suck-swallow-breath pattern: A baby should be drinking their milk at a 1:1:1 ratio. For every one suck, there should be one swallow and one breath, in that order. This pattern will repeat several times, followed by a period of rest, or a "burst pause."

If your baby is taking long or very short breaks between feedings, it may be a sign that you need to adjust your flow rate. If they're taking long breaks, consider increasing the flow rate to make feeding easier for your baby. On the other hand, if they're taking very short breaks, reduce the flow rate to give them more control over the feed and help them practice their suck-swallow-breath coordination.

Newborns should be fed 8-12 times in a 24-hour period

Newborns have tiny stomachs, so they need to feed frequently—about eight to 12 times in a 24-hour period. This is because they need to gain weight, and their stomachs can't hold enough milk to keep them full for long. Feeding little and often also helps to establish your milk supply.

Breastfed babies feed more often than formula-fed babies, as breast milk is digested more quickly. A newborn that is being breastfed will need to feed every two to three hours, whereas a formula-fed baby can go three to four hours between feeds.

If your baby is sleeping through feeds, you will need to wake them up. For the first couple of weeks, wake your baby to feed every three to four hours until they show good weight gain. After that, it's fine to let them sleep for longer stretches at night.

If your baby is sleeping through feeds, there are some techniques you can use to wake them:

• Feed them during a period of active sleep or REM sleep. You'll know they're in REM sleep because they'll move their arms and legs, change their facial expressions, and flutter their eyelids.
• Undress them.
• Change their diaper while singing a song or stroking their hands and feet.
• Hold them upright.
• Dim the lights.
• Talk, sing, and make eye contact.
• Massage their hands, feet, arms, back, and shoulders.

Frequently asked questions