How to Keep your newborn awake for feeds
Does your newborn doze off every time they start to eat? Newborns are SLEEPY and it can be a challenge to keep them awake throughout the day!
Feeding a newborn isn’t always easy. They tend to be sleepy and doze off with just a bit of food in their tummies!
But keeping your newborn awake for feeds and for short periods throughout the day will help with both their naps and sleep overnight!
4 reasons to keep your newborn awake for feeds during the day
- Helps your baby take a full feed–If your baby falls asleep every time they eat they are more likely to snack throughout the day and not fill their bellies. Taking a full feed will help your baby eat every 3 hours throughout the day and help promote longer stretches of sleep overnight. When your newborn snacks throughout the day they are more likely to follow the same pattern overnight and wake every 1-2 hours!
- Helps your baby get enough stimulation during their awake time-This helps your newborn regulate their days and nights!
- Avoids a power nap while feeding which then results in them being less tired for nap time and more resistance going to sleep
- Helps you establish a routine and schedule with wake windows that make it easier to differentiate hunger vs tired cues.
How to keep your newborn awake for feeds
Keeping your newborn awake for feeds tends to get better around 4-6 weeks of age, but may still take some effort on your part!
Here are a few tips to try at home:
- Undress them
- Change their diaper before feeding
- Rub their feet or back
- Take a break to burp
- Use a cool washcloth to the back of the neck or wipe the back and feet with it
- Change your feeding position
- Talk or sing to them
Even after all of these efforts, your newborn may still fall asleep during some feeds!
Try to focus on one feed a day that you keep them awake for and try not to stress about the rest. Move onto another daytime feed to keep them awake once your newborn is actively staying awake for one of their feeds during the day.
All of these steps will take a few weeks as you’re both getting into the daily rhythm or routine of newborn life!
You will notice your baby has more purposeful awake time after 3-4 weeks and make it easier to keep them awake after a feed.
Newborn sleep resources to help
I have created the perfect guide to help you navigate this special time. It covers everything you need in the newborn time period from 0-3 months!
I also start working with families on independent sleep skills and sleep coaching at 4 months of age! I have multiple options that can help you get sleep back on track including online courses and 1:1 personalized sleep coaching!
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