Help, my baby is too sleepy to feed!

It’s true! Newborn babies sleep a lot.  The saying ‘Sleep like a baby’ had to come from somewhere!

In the early days, you will likely need to wake your baby to feed as some babies sleep right through their own hunger cues, especially if they are all wrapped up, cozy and warm.

During their first week of life, if your baby is getting fed regularly (every 2-3 hours), your sleepy newborn should soon start to cue and wake themselves up for feeds.  As their energy and weight increases, they will start to get used to their new world of breastfeeding.

From my experience, full term babies born even 1-2 weeks early (between 37-39 weeks gestation) tend to be even sleepier than the typical sleepy newborn.  This is a very common issue for new parents.  They have a hard time keeping their baby awake long enough for the full feed.  The goal is to keep babies alert enough to feed before falling back to sleep.

This common issue usually resolves after about a week if the baby is fed frequently and efficiently.  Once your sleepy baby can wake themselves up to show their hunger cues, have returned to birth weight and are producing lots of dirty and wet diapers, then feeding on cue is the next step.  But be warned…your newborn will still feed every 2-3 hours! But they will be able to let you know when the time is right!

Here are 9 tips to keep your baby awake

1. Holding your baby skin to skin

This will help the baby stay close to the breast and rouse them when they feel hunger.  It can also help the parent notice even the most subtle hunger cue.  If the breastfeeding parent needs to rest, skin to skin with the other parent or closest supports is the next best thing.

2. Talking and singing to your baby

Remember, your baby has been listening to your voice for months now and will notice your voice.  Along with skin to skin, this may be enough for them to take notice.

3. Make eye contact while breastfeeding

If you are lucky enough to make eye contact with your baby in the early days while feeding, this may help to keep them alert enough to prolong their feed.

4. Increase stimulation by gently rubbing their back, hands and feet

Gentle touch is always a winner while feeding your baby.  Start in skin to skin, gently stroking their back upwards.  Continue the gentle touch as they latch on and feed.

5. Change diaper

Many times, newborns will fall asleep after one breast and are difficult to wake to latch on to the second side. Changing the diaper is often rousing enough to wake the baby to finish their feed.

6. Switch breasts often when their suck weakens

If you feel your newborn’s suck getting weaker and slower, switch breasts.  You can always offer 4 sides (ie switching back and forth twice) in the early days to keep baby alert enough to fully feed.

7. Breast compressions

Babies often fall asleep at the breast when the flow slows down.  If you feel your baby weakening and slowing their suck, try gentle breast compressions to help maintain the flow and increase their intake.

8. Burp the baby

Burping the baby between breasts in a skin-to-skin position can be rousing enough to wake the baby for the other side.

9. Readjusting the baby’s position

I have found that as the baby’s suck weakens, adjusting their position by bringing them in a little closer and downward slightly can reengage them at the breast.

Having a sleepy baby can be frustrating, but remember, these concerns will only last a few days.  Staying consistent with the feeds and going through the above list of tips should help baby get fed efficiently and become more alert over time.

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Mélanie Jacobson ND IBCLC is a Toronto-based Naturopathic Doctor and Lactation Consultant. She focuses on breastfeeding education, and supporting families with breastfeeding, bottle feeding, combo feeding as well as solid food introduction. She is available for home, clinic and virtual visits. You can book your free 15 min meet and greet consultation right here to discuss her services and approach.