How to Wake a Sleeping Newborn to Nurse

It is important to not let your baby sleep through feedings

Your newborn may be content to sleep through feedings. However, allowing your baby to sleep through feedings means that he will not be getting enough food. Allowing your baby to sleep through feedings may also lead to an insufficient breastmilk supply. Use these tips to wake your baby when it is time to eat.

Instructions

1. Try to wake your baby when he is in active or REM sleep. Your baby is in active sleep when he is moving his arms and legs, making faces and fluttering his eyelids.

2. Uncover your baby. Unwrapping or unswaddling your baby will often be enough to wake her. If taking off her blanket does not work, try undressing her and holding her close for skin to skin contact.

3. Change your baby's diaper. Even if he does not need it, changing his diaper may be enough to wake him up.

4. Pick up your baby and carefully hold her upright. This will often get her to open her eyes. Lift her upright or raise her into a sitting position and gently pat her back.

5. Talk to or sing to your baby. Once he opens his eyes, try to make eye contact with him. Social stimulation may encourage him to stay awake.

6. Use a cool (not cold) washcloth. If you are having trouble waking your baby, try placing a wet, cool cloth on her forehead. You can also gently wash her face with the cloth.

Tips & Warnings

• Try dimming the lights. A newborn's eyes are very sensitive. If the room is too bright, she will protect her eyes by keeping them shut. Dimming the lights will actually encourage her to wake up and be active.

• Gently rub the bottoms of your baby's feet or massage his arms and back to try to wake him.

• Once you finally wake your baby, it is very likely that she will fall back asleep after a few sips of milk. If this happens, try burping her or switching nursing positions.

• Do not allow a breastfeeding newborn to go more than three hours between feedings.

• Do not allow a formula-fed newborn go more than four hours between feedings.

Resources

• The basics of feeding your newborn
• Feeding your newborn