
Waking a newborn to feed can be a divisive topic, with some people believing that it is never a good idea to wake a sleeping baby. However, there are several reasons why it may be beneficial to wake a newborn for a feed. Firstly, newborns need to feed frequently to meet their nutritional needs and support their growth. Additionally, waking a newborn for a feed can help establish a healthy sleep and feeding schedule, which can benefit both the baby and the parents. While it is generally recommended to feed newborns every 2 to 4 hours, it is important to pay attention to their hunger cues and adjust the feeding schedule accordingly. Consulting with a healthcare professional, such as a paediatrician or lactation consultant, is advisable to ensure the newborn's feeding and sleeping habits are on track.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
How often should newborns be fed? | Every 2-4 hours |
How long can newborns go without feeding? | No longer than 4 hours |
When should newborns be woken up to feed? | If they have gone longer than 3-4 hours since their last feed |
How can you wake a newborn? | By singing, stroking their cheek, changing their diaper, undressing them, holding them upright, placing them on your lap, massaging them, placing a cool washcloth on their forehead, etc. |
Why is it important to wake newborns to feed? | To ensure they are getting enough calories, to help them gain weight, to boost the mother's milk supply, and to prevent health complications |
When can you stop waking newborns to feed? | Once they have regained their birth weight, are gaining weight steadily, and are meeting their growth curve |
What You'll Learn
Newborn Feeding Patterns
When to Feed
Newborns should be fed every two to four hours, which equates to around eight to 12 times in a 24-hour period. This includes both day and night feeds. This is because a newborn's tummy is tiny—at two weeks, it's only slightly bigger than a ping-pong ball. Their tummies empty easily, and they need to gain weight, so regular feeds are essential.
How to Know When to Feed
Most of the time, your baby will let you know when they're hungry by sending out hunger cues such as lip-smacking, rooting, finger-sucking, or crying. However, in the first few weeks, newborns can sometimes sleep through their feeding alarms, so you may need to wake them up.
How to Wake a Sleepy Newborn
- Feed when your baby is in an active sleep period, or REM sleep. You'll recognize this when your baby moves their arms and legs, changes their facial expressions, and flutters their eyelids.
- Undress and unwrap your baby, and hold them skin-to-skin.
- Change their nappy.
- Try different feeding positions.
- Give your baby a warm bath.
- Place your baby on your lap with their legs near your tummy and head on your knees. Gently support your baby and raise them into a sitting position, like doing a sit-up. Repeat a few times.
- Massage your baby's back in circular motions.
- Stroke their feet and hands.
- Sing or talk to your baby.
- Dim the lights.
- Place a cool (not cold) washcloth on their forehead.
How Long to Feed
Make sure your baby's nursing sessions last long enough for them to empty at least one breast. This helps ensure they get their fill of the fat-rich hind milk essential for growth. Some babies take 20 minutes or longer to empty one breast, while others can do it in 10.
Keeping Your Newborn Awake During Feedings
Suckling can make your baby sleepy, so make sure they don't nod off mid-feeding. Look for the rhythmic suck-swallow-breath pattern in their cheek, jaw, and ear to check if they're still extracting milk. If they do doze off, try burping and repositioning them, dribbling some milk on their lips, or jiggling your breast or the bottle to start them feeding again.
When to Stop Waking Your Baby for Feeds
By week six, you and your baby will have settled into a regular eating and sleeping rhythm. However, this will depend on your baby's unique needs. Some babies will continue to want to feed every two hours, while others will happily go for three to four hours between meals.
In general, the older the baby, the less they will need to be woken up. Once your baby has regained their birth weight and is gaining weight at a healthy rate, you can usually let them sleep and feed on demand. However, if you're concerned about your baby's weight gain or intake, speak to your pediatrician or a lactation consultant.
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Benefits of Waking to Feed
Benefits of Waking a Newborn to Feed
Weight Gain
Newborns typically lose between 5 and 10% of their body weight in the days after birth, and they need to spend the first few weeks gaining it back. Not eating enough in the first few days can also lead to complications linked to jaundice and low blood sugar. Waking your newborn to feed can help them regain their birth weight and ensure they are getting enough nutrition to gain weight.
Adequate Nutrition and Calories
Getting adequate nutrition and calories during the day will help babies and toddlers sleep better at night. Waking your newborn to feed during the day can help them get the calories they need and ensure they are getting enough to eat.
Establish a Feeding and Sleeping Rhythm
By waking your newborn to feed, you can help establish a regular eating and sleeping rhythm. While this may take a few weeks, eventually, you and your baby will settle into a routine that works for both of you.
Boosting Milk Supply
If you are breastfeeding, not feeding often enough can slow down your milk production. By waking your newborn to feed, you can help establish a demand-and-supply cycle that keeps pumping out the perfect amount of milk to meet your baby's needs.
Preventing Complications
Undereating can lead to sleepiness, which in turn can lead to further undereating. Waking your newborn to feed can help prevent this cycle and ensure your baby is getting enough fluids to flush their kidneys and prevent jaundice and other problems.
Active Awake Time
Waking your newborn to feed can help ensure they get the active awake time they need during the day. This can help set them up for overall sleep success and ensure they are getting enough calories to grow and develop.
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Risks of Not Waking
There are several risks associated with not waking a newborn to feed. Here are some key points to consider:
- Weight Gain: Newborns typically lose 5-10% of their body weight in the days after birth, and it is crucial for them to regain that weight in the following weeks. Not waking them for feeds can result in insufficient calorie intake, hindering their weight gain. This is particularly important for newborns with jaundice, as they tend to be sleepier and may need extra encouragement to feed.
- Nutritional Needs: Newborns have tiny tummies, and breast milk is digested quickly. As a result, they need to feed frequently—approximately every 2-3 hours. Formula-fed babies can go slightly longer, around 3-4 hours, as formula takes longer to digest. Not waking them for feeds can lead to them missing out on essential nutrients and calories needed for growth and development.
- Milk Supply: For breastfeeding mothers, not feeding often enough can impact milk supply. Regular feeding stimulates milk production and helps establish a healthy demand-and-supply cycle. Going long periods without feeding can reduce milk production, affecting the baby's nutrition and the mother's milk supply.
- Sleep Patterns: While it may be tempting to let a sleeping baby lie, establishing a healthy feeding and sleeping rhythm is crucial. Waking a newborn for feeds during the day can help them distinguish between day and night, promoting healthier sleep patterns in the long run.
- Health Complications: Not feeding a newborn frequently enough can lead to various health complications. Insufficient feeding in the first few days can be linked to issues such as jaundice and low blood sugar. Additionally, some babies may be sleepier due to medical reasons, such as jaundice, infection, or heart problems. In such cases, not waking them for feeds can further exacerbate their health issues.
In summary, while the idea of "never wake a sleeping baby" is tempting, it is important to prioritise their nutritional needs, weight gain, and overall health. Regular feeding will ensure they receive the necessary calories and nutrients for growth, stimulate milk production for breastfeeding mothers, and help establish healthier sleep patterns over time. Always consult with a paediatrician or healthcare professional for personalised advice regarding feeding schedules and the baby's overall well-being.
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Establishing a Routine
The first few weeks of a newborn's life can be unpredictable and challenging for new parents. It is important to remember that every baby is unique and will have different sleep and feeding patterns. However, establishing a routine can help promote healthy growth and development. Here are some tips to help you establish a feeding routine for your newborn:
Understand Your Newborn's Needs
Newborns have small tummies and grow rapidly, so they need to feed frequently. Breastfed newborns may need to feed every two to three hours, while formula-fed babies can go three to four hours between feedings. It is important to watch for early hunger signs and feed your baby when they show these cues. Some signs to look for include lip-smacking, rooting, finger-sucking, or crying.
Know When to Wake Your Newborn for Feedings
Most pediatricians recommend waking your baby for daytime or nighttime feedings if they have slept for more than four hours. This is especially important in the first two weeks to ensure adequate nutrition and weight gain. After this initial period, you can gradually adjust the feeding schedule based on your baby's growth and development.
Techniques to Wake Your Newborn for Feedings
- Feed your baby during active sleep or REM sleep. Look for movements such as arm and leg motions, facial expressions, and eyelid flutters.
- Try skin-to-skin contact by undressing your baby and holding them against your bare chest. This can stimulate your baby's senses of smell and touch.
- Change your baby's diaper while singing or talking to them.
- Hold your baby upright, as newborns tend to open their eyes when held in this position.
- Dim the lights in the room, as a bright environment may encourage your baby to keep their eyes closed.
- Be social and interactive by talking, singing, or making eye contact with your baby.
- Massage your baby's hands, feet, back, arms, and shoulders to stimulate their senses.
- Place a cool washcloth on their forehead.
- Undress and unwrap your baby, then hold them skin-to-skin.
- Express a small amount of colostrum and let a few drops fall into your baby's mouth to stimulate their feeding reflex.
Encourage Active Feeding
Even when your baby is feeding, they may fall asleep quickly. To encourage active sucking and ensure they are getting enough milk, try switching breasts when their sucking slows or they start to get sleepy. You can also try breast compressions to increase milk flow and encourage your baby to continue feeding.
Monitor Your Newborn's Weight Gain and Development
Regular weight checks and monitoring of wet and dirty diapers can help you track your baby's growth and development. Consult your pediatrician if you have any concerns about your baby's weight gain or feeding habits. They will provide guidance based on your baby's individual needs.
Remember, the first few weeks are a critical period for establishing a healthy feeding routine. By responding to your baby's hunger cues and waking them for feedings when needed, you will help promote their growth and development. As your baby gets older, they will gradually settle into a more predictable feeding and sleeping rhythm.
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Alternative Feeding Methods
There are several alternative feeding methods that can be used to feed a newborn. Here are some options:
Bottle Feeding
Bottle feeding is a common and convenient alternative feeding method. It is often seen as socially acceptable and can be a good option if other methods have been unsuccessful or if larger volumes of milk are needed. However, there are some drawbacks to bottle feeding, such as the risk of overfeeding, differences in the baby's tongue and jaw movement compared to breastfeeding, and the lack of skin-to-skin contact.
Spoon Feeding
Spoon feeding is a great way to deliver small amounts of milk or colostrum to babies who are not latching or feeding properly. It allows the baby to determine their own feeding pace and can help rouse a sleepy newborn to latch on and breastfeed.
Cup Feeding
Cup feeding is a safe and viable alternative, especially when cleanliness is a concern. It encourages the baby's tongue to move in a similar way to breastfeeding and allows the baby to control their intake and pause when needed. Cup feeding can also expose preterm infants to the smell and taste of human milk, providing a positive oral feeding experience without disrupting the breastfeeding process.
Finger Feeding
Similar to cup feeding, finger feeding helps keep the baby's tongue down and forward. When done properly, it allows the baby to control their intake and can be used to rouse a sleepy newborn to latch on and breastfeed.
Syringe Feeding
Syringe feeding may be used to rouse a baby with just a few drops of milk. However, it may increase the risk of aspiration, result in pursed lip configuration, and does not facilitate breastfeeding or allow the baby to control their intake.
Breastfeeding Supplementer
A breastfeeding supplementer allows direct breastfeeding while stimulating the breast to produce more milk. It provides a reward to the baby for feeding and removes the need for other supplemental feeding methods. However, it can be tricky to use and clean, and it requires a commitment from the mother.
When choosing an alternative feeding method, it is important to consider factors such as cost, ease of use and cleaning, potential stress on the baby, anticipated duration of use, and the impact on breastfeeding. Consulting with a lactation consultant or counsellor can help select the most suitable method for each individual situation.
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Frequently asked questions
No, it is not bad to wake a newborn to feed. In fact, it is recommended to wake your newborn if they are due for a daytime or nighttime feed. Newborns need to be fed regularly to ensure they are getting enough calories and nutrition.
Newborns should be fed every two to four hours. They should not go without feeding for more than four hours.
Look for signs such as lots of poopy diapers and increasing alertness. You can also keep track of the number of wet nappies, which should be at least eight to ten per day.
You can try various techniques such as singing or talking to your baby, changing their diaper, holding them skin-to-skin, or giving them a warm bath.
You can stop waking your newborn for feeds once they have regained their birth weight and are gaining weight at a healthy rate. It is recommended to consult your doctor or pediatrician to determine when it is appropriate to stop waking your newborn for feeds.