Ah, the joys of parenthood! The sleepless nights, the endless diaper changes, and the perpetual struggle to decipher the needs of your tiny, adorable tyrant. One question that plagues the minds of many new parents is whether or not to wake a peacefully slumbering baby. So, grab your coffee (trust me, you’ll need it), sit back, and let’s delve into the great debate:

Should you wake a sleeping baby?

Picture this: you’re cozily tucked in bed, finally catching a few precious winks, and suddenly, your little one emits a cry that could rival an opera singer. Welcome to the world of parenting! Waking up during the night is entirely normal for babies, and it serves a vital purpose—feeding time. Babies have tiny tummies, and they need frequent nourishment to grow and thrive. So, expect those nocturnal interruptions, folks!

Why do babies wake at night to feed?

The answer lies in their fast-paced growth and development. Infants have small stomachs that empty quickly, requiring frequent refueling. Additionally, babies have higher metabolic rates, meaning they burn calories more rapidly. Hence, their need for nighttime feedings becomes paramount.

Do you have a sleepyhead who DOESN’T wake for feedings?

Now, let’s address the sleepyhead babies. Some infants are expert snoozers, able to sleep through feedings like a hibernating bear. While this may seem convenient for exhausted parents, it’s crucial to note that during the first few weeks, babies may not be ready to skip meals. They might be too drowsy to wake up and signal their hunger, leading to inadequate calorie intake. This can be due to medications used during birth, jaundice, or even personality. Keep an eye out for any sluggishness or poor weight gain during this period.

My advice as an IBCLC = wake the baby up! (for now):

For new parents, the words “sleep” and “three hours” seem like a distant fantasy. However, it’s generally recommended to wake a sleeping baby every three hours for feeding until they reach at least two weeks of age and regain their birth weight. Why? Well, it ensures that your little one is getting the nourishment they need while establishing a healthy feeding routine.

Once your baby is over two weeks old and gaining well, and you feel feedings are going well, then you can let them sleep longer stretches at night. However, you still want to make sure your baby is feeding frequently throughout the day – we want to try to avoid dropping below eight feedings in a 24 hour period.

When can you STOP waking a sleeping baby to eat?

Once your baby starts to pack on those adorable baby pounds and continues to gain weight steadily, you may experience a rare phenomenon—a longer stretch of uninterrupted sleep. Hallelujah! If your baby is thriving, your milk supply is well-established, and they are meeting their growth milestones, you can enjoy a few extra hours of blissful sleep without having to wake them up. Yes, you read that right—sleep, glorious sleep!

What If You’ve Been Pumping At Night?

Here’s a secret for new parents: If your baby is snoozing peacefully and your milk supply is in full swing, you can officially retire that 2 a.m. rendezvous with your breast pump. That’s right—no more bleary-eyed milk extraction sessions in the dead of night. Take a moment to rejoice and reclaim your sleep!

Sometimes when a baby starts sleeping longer stretches at night, the parent can wake up anyway because their breasts get so full and uncomfortable it wakes them up! Hello, engorgement!⁠
⁠
This can be a problem and sooo uncomfortable. But don’t worry – it’s usually temporary!⁠
⁠
As your body figures out that your baby is going longer stretches at night, your supply will regulate so that you don’t wake up so full and uncomfortable. This can take a few nights.⁠
⁠
In the meantime, manage any engorgement with ice packs, light lymphatic massage, and if you really need to you can hand express just a small amount of milk so you can go back to sleep comfortably.⁠

Babies who wake up at night are NORMAL

Remember, its normal for a baby to wake up frequently overnight to feed. In fact, only 20% of six month olds are sleeping through the night, and it’s normal for children to wake up at night as late as 2 years old. So if your baby doesn’t give you long stretches right away, that’s okay!

Need sleep or feeding support? Book a consult here.