The arrival of a newborn brings joy, exhaustion, and quite a few questions. Among the most frequent and anxiety-inducing is the question that is on parents’ minds everywhere: “Do I need to wake my baby up to feed?” The short answer, particularly in the early days, is often yes. Every parent dreams of a baby who sleeps soundly for long stretches, but a newborn's stomach is tiny, and their immediate needs for nourishment can be masked when they are in deep sleep. Also, frequent stimulation of the breast is very important in the first few weeks for establishing the breastfeeding relationship. Understanding the “why” and “when” of waking your baby may help you be more confident about your milk supply and breastfeeding skills.
Why Frequent Meals are so important
Your newborn’s system is so efficient at absorbing and metabolizing nutrition that they need constant refueling. Due to their small stomach capacity, infants need to eat very frequently to get the calories and hydration necessary for their very rapid development. Generally, your baby needs to eat a minimum of eight times a day. This often translates to feeding at least every two to three hours, with the clock starting at the beginning of one feed and stopping at the beginning of the next. These frequent feedings ensure proper weight gain, establish a healthy milk supply, and prevent dehydration and low blood sugar. They also prevent discomfort and digestive issues like reflux that can happen when a baby is fed large, spaced-out meals.
Time To Wake Up
The necessity of waking a sleeping baby is highest in the very beginning. Healthcare providers strongly recommend waking a baby to feed for at least the first two weeks of life, or until they are back to birth weight and reach a weight of three kilograms (about 6.6 pounds), whichever milestone is met later. The reasons for waking in this initial period are primarily to ensure they quickly regain the weight they typically lose after birth, and to facilitate the Mother’s body establishing a robust and consistent milk supply through frequent nursing.
Transitioning to Hunger Cues
Once your baby has passed the two-week mark and is back to their birth weight (or has surpassed the three-kilogram threshold, if later), you can generally relax the strict every two-to-three-hour rule, especially overnight. At this point, the goal shifts to following your baby’s hunger cues. A healthy, well-fed, and growing baby can often be trusted to wake up when they are hungry, allowing for slightly longer sleep stretches, which is a welcome relief for exhausted parents. However, if your baby consistently sleeps longer than four to five hours, even past the two-week mark, it is often wise to check in with your pediatrician.
The Struggle of Waking a Sleepy Eater
Waking a newborn for a feed is sometimes a hard task. Many parents become frustrated when their baby remains floppy, eyes barely open, and completely uninterested in feeding. This level of initial sleepiness is completely normal! Your baby is simply very comfortable and has a strong urge to sleep. Don’t panic if your first attempt is unsuccessful. Instead, try waiting a half-hour and attempting to wake them again, as they may cycle into a lighter stage of sleep.
Gentle physical stimulation can often encourage a sleepy baby to wake and feed. Try undressing your baby down to their diaper and placing them directly on your bare chest for skin-to-skin contact. The warmth, familiar smell, and gentle touch can often stimulate wakefulness and encourage rooting behavior. Additionally, a sudden burst of cool air and the stimulation of being moved during a diaper change often does the trick; make sure to change a wet or dirty diaper before attempting the feed.
Position and Temporary Feeding Aids
The position you use for feeding can also help keep your baby active. Breastfeeding your baby in a laid-back, upright position can help shift them out of deep sleep and keep them more engaged during the feed. If your baby is simply too sleepy to latch or suck effectively, and you are concerned about missed nutrition, it is perfectly acceptable to express a small amount of breastmilk and offer it by spoon, syringe, or cup. This small intake of calories can provide the temporary boost needed to overcome sleepiness, after which you should try to put the baby to the breast or bottle.
How can I know if My Baby is getting enough Milk
The most important metric for determining if your baby is getting enough milk is their output and weight gain. Your efforts are paying off if your baby is producing a minimum of six wet diapers and a minimum of two bowel movements (dirty diapers) in 24 hours (after the first few days). For weight, your baby should be back to their birth weight by two weeks of age and thereafter gaining a minimum of 150 grams (about five ounces) per week. If your baby is consistently meeting these milestones, and you are past the initial wake-to-feed phase, you can be confident in their nutritional well-being. However, if you have any concerns about their output or weight gain, always consult your pediatrician or a certified lactation consultant immediately. Waking a sleeping baby may feel wrong, but in the early weeks, it is a routine, loving act of parental care.
