Is your baby falling asleep while nursing? Let’s talk about why your baby falls asleep at the breast or bottle and how to help keep them awake for good, full feedings.
Why do babies fall asleep while nursing or bottle feeding?
Babies may fall asleep at the breast or bottle because:
Feedings are happening near the end of a wake window.
Snuggling with you while eating feels comfortable and conducive to sleep.
Breastmilk includes hormones that promote relaxation in babies, which often makes them sleepier.(1)
The environment is set up to cue your baby’s brain that it’s time for sleep (dark room, sound machine is on, etc).
Your baby associates feeding with sleep.
Your baby was looking for closeness and comfort rather than calories.
Should I worry if my baby falls asleep every time they nurse? Why would I want to keep my baby awake during feedings?
Falling asleep while nursing isn’t always a problem. If your baby falls asleep nursing and you’re all thriving, you can continue to do what’s working for you.
However, here are a few reasons it can be helpful to keep your baby awake during feedings:
When your baby stays awake during a feeding, it promotes a full feeding. Full feedings help your baby get adequate daytime calories, which allows for more consolidated night sleep.(2)
Staying awake at the breast or bottle helps with sleep pressure. When babies doze off during feeding, that little nap steals from their tired tank™ and makes it harder for them to fall asleep and stay asleep.
When babies are able to fall asleep on their own, they’re often able to get more restful sleep.(3) On the other hand, babies who fall asleep while eating often struggle to connect sleep cycles, which means they take shorter naps and have trouble staying asleep at night. They often wake up between sleep cycles and want a feeding to return to sleep.
If feeding to sleep is your only option, I’m here for you! In my classes, I’ll teach you developmentally appropriate strategies to help your baby fall asleep independently and get the sleep they need. Let me show you how to set up your days and nights for feeding and sleep success whether you have a newborn (0-4 months) or an older baby (5-24 months).
What if my newborn is frequently too sleepy to eat?
If your newborn is frequently too sleepy to eat, let’s check on a few things:
Are they too sleepy to eat during the day, but want to eat all night? They might have day/night confusion.
Are they showing signs of getting good, full feedings and actually eating while they sleep? Let’s focus on waking them every 2.5-3 hours from the start of the last feeding and using the tips to keep them awake for feedings.
Are they too sleepy to eat all day and night? It’s time to call the pediatrician.
If you have concerns about your baby’s feeding behaviors, please reach out to your pediatrician or lactation specialist. If your baby seems difficult to wake, appears lethargic, or is not having wet diapers, it’s time to call right away.
How do I keep my baby awake for a feeding?
If your baby falls asleep while nursing or bottle feeding, here are some great strategies to try:
Start with a diaper change to help your baby wake up a bit. You might also add in a diaper change halfway through the feeding.
Undress your baby (with only a diaper on them) and let them be skin-to-skin during feeding. Skin-to-skin contact encourages sucking and helps keep your baby awake while feeding.(4) This is great for both breast and bottle-fed babies.
Keep the lights on while feeding. Open up those curtains to let the daylight shine in!
Try rubbing a damp cloth on your baby’s face and chest.
Take a quick break and lay your baby down in the middle of the floor. Sometimes just being away from your warm body will wake them up a bit.
Ensure that your baby has a proper latch.
Offer a feeding at the beginning of a wake window if possible.
Talk to your baby or let them hold a small rattle/crinkle toy to keep them stimulated.
If your baby is often falling asleep during their bedtime feeding, you can move the feeding to one of the first steps in the bedtime routine.
If it feels impossible to keep your baby awake during a feeding or if feeding to sleep is the only way to get your little one to sleep, my classes can help. Each of my classes will give you developmentally appropriate tools to teach your baby to fall asleep more independently, get those important full feedings, and help you all get the rest you need to thrive.
