27 Ways To Keep Baby Awake While Breastfeeding
Newborns (especially in the first couple of weeks) tend to be EXTRA sleepy.
This can pose a problem with breastfeeding because they might not wake enough to take full feedings. Keeping them awake while breastfeeding is key to getting them to eat enough.
It’s no surprise that they can easily fall into a deep sleep while breastfeeding...
According to a study, there’s a hormone released while breastfeeding called cholecystokinin (or CCK) that naturally makes them feel full and drowsy. And the younger the infant is, the higher the concentrations of CCK is released in their body.
Knowing this - you'll need tips and tricks up your sleeve to keep your baby awake long enough during breastfeeding.
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27 Ways To Keep Your Sleeping Baby Awake During Breastfeeding
(Try 1 or 2 each feeding session to see what works best to rouse your baby)
Light up the room.
Take off their clothes and socks.
Change up breastfeeding positions.
Burp the baby.
Blow air on their cheeks or forehead.
Change their diaper.
Play music.
Sing to them or play with your baby.
Stroke the palms of their hands and soles of their feet.
Feed them during their light REM sleep cycle (when their eyelids flutter, they grin in their sleep, and have clenched fists)
Get skin to skin with your baby.
Massage the crown of your baby’s head while their feeding.
Wet a washcloth with lukewarm water and rub it on their face or along their hairline.
Do breast massages while feeding to encourage them to feed longer.
Run your fingers gently along their cheek or foot.
Switch breasts as soon as you notice baby stops actively suckling and begins to trail off.
Breastfeed in the “football” hold.
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Express some milk into their mouth.
Lay them down on a flat, firm surface.
Bathe them.
Stroke your baby’s cheek if they’re latched but not actively nursing.
Move their arms and legs in a bicycling motion.
Talk to your baby!
Walk your fingers up baby’s spine.
Tickle their lower lip to encourage them to latch.
Feed your baby as soon as they wake.
Unwrap the baby from their blanket.
After trying a few tips, express milk for your baby if they’re still not responding. You can use hand expression or your pump.
Also, be sure to closely monitor their pee and poop output and weight gain to make sure they’re consistently getting enough to eat.
Should You Wake Your Baby Up To Nurse In the Middle Of The Night?
In the early weeks, newborn sleep is largely dictated by hunger so sleep duration varies a lot.
Until baby is back to birth weight (ideally by 14 days), try to gently wake baby every 3 hours for a feeding if they’re still sleeping.
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Related breastfeeding a newborn articles:
35 Must-know Breastfeeding Tips for New Moms
11 Infographics to Help You Breastfeed Better