Should I Wake My Baby for Feeds?

Hey there, mumma! I remember those sleep-deprived days like they were yesterday. As a mum who’s been through the trenches of breastfeeding, I know you’re grappling with the million-dollar question: “Should I wake my baby for feeds?” It’s a dilemma that can leave you feeling torn between letting your little one rest (and getting some much-needed rest yourself!) and ensuring bub’s getting the nourishment they need. Finding the balance between letting your baby sleep and ensuring they’re well-fed is a challenge every new mum faces. But fear not, because armed with the right knowledge, you can make informed decisions that prioritise both your baby’s health and your precious moments of shut eye. In this post, I’ll cover how long your newborn can sleep without eating, factors to consider when deciding whether to wake your baby for feeds, and when it might be okay to let them snooze a little longer.

How Long Should Your Newborn Sleep Without Eating?

Ah, the million-dollar question. Newborns have tiny tummies and need to feed frequently to meet their nutritional needs and promote healthy growth and development. It’s very normal for newborns to feed every 2 to 3 hours. This frequent feeding pattern supports proper weight gain, prevents dehydration, and ensures your milk supply builds to what your baby needs. However, just like adults, baby’s sleep needs can change from day to day. If your newborn sleeps a one-off long stretch, then it’s usually not anything to worry about, but if they’re sleeping long stretches more often, there’s some things to consider which we’ll go over in a moment.

Can My Newborn Go 5 Hours Without Eating?

It’s a tempting thought, isn’t it? A stretch of uninterrupted sleep, a chance to recharge. While some babies might naturally sleep for longer stretches, usually this happens as they get a bit older than the newborn stage. It’s generally recommended not to let a newborn go longer than 3 to 4 hours without a feed. However, there might be exceptions. If your baby has gained weight and is back to their birth weight, is showing steady growth and having a good amount of wet and dirty nappies, the occasional longer stretch might be okay.

Factors to Consider When Deciding to Wake Your Baby

Weight Gain and Growth

The primary indicator of your baby’s well-being is their growth. If they’re gaining weight as expected, this shows that they’re getting enough milk and you can follow their lead with how long they sleep. If they’re not gaining weight and growing as expected, it’s important to wake bub for feeds every 2-3 hours. That will help them get more milk which will help their weight gain, and also help build your supply. If bub isn’t gaining enough weight, then it’s also important to connect with an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) to do a thorough assessment of bub’s feeds so we can work out why their not gaining weight and fix that! You can book a home visit or online video call with me here.

Baby’s Age

Newborns require more frequent feeds due to their small stomach size. As they grow, they can gradually handle longer intervals between feeds. But keep in mind that 2-3 hourly feeds are very normal for babies and often continues until around 6 months when starting solids or even longer for some babies.

Jaundice

If your baby has jaundice, their feeding schedule might need more attention. Frequent feeds help reduce bilirubin levels (too much bilirubin is what makes bub look yellow and can be dangerous for bub if not treated) and help in their recovery. Jaundiced babies are often extra sleepy and aren’t able to wake themselves for feeds which means the jaundice can get worse. In this situation, it’s very important to wake your baby every 3 hours for feeds until their jaundice has resolved. Once their bilirubin levels are in the normal range, you can then follow their lead when it comes to feeding and sleep. Your healthcare provider will guide you on the best approach.

Nappy Output

The number of wet and soiled diapers your baby produces is a great indicator of their hydration and nutrition. Pay attention to their nappy output – more wet diapers suggest they’re well-hydrated, which shows they’re getting enough milk for their growth and development. Babies aged 5 days old to 6 weeks old should have at least 5 heavy wet nappies and 3 or more runny poos per day. Babies older than 6 weeks may poo less often. For more info on the signs to show bub’s getting enough milk, including for babies younger than 5 days old and older than 6 weeks old, check out this blog post.

When It Might Be Okay to Let Them Sleep Longer

As your baby grows and their feeding routine becomes established, you’ll notice that they might naturally extend their sleep intervals. By around 2 to 3 months, some babies can sleep for 4 to 6 hours at night without needing to feed. But like I said earlier, it’s still very normal for babies to feed 2-3 hourly for many months. Trust your instincts, but remember, you can always talk to your International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), child health nurse or GP if you’re unsure.

Mumma, I hope this post has shed some light on the dilemma of whether to wake your baby for feeds. Remember, every baby is unique, and there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Pay attention to your baby’s cues, monitor their growth, nappy output, and don’t hesitate to seek guidance from your healthcare provider if you’re unsure. And here’s a little challenge for you: Share a post on Instagram about what you’ve taken away from this blog post (don’t forget to tag me @arlie_ibclc). Your insights might just be what another new mum needs to read!

So, there you have it, a glimpse into the world of newborn feeding and sleep – a delicate dance that’s both challenging and rewarding. Cherish these moments, mumma, because they’re fleeting, and before you know it, your little one will be all grown up and you’ll be missing the snuggles.