New parents often wonder whether they should fully wake their newborn for nighttime feedings or allow them to eat while still drowsy. There are pros and cons to both approaches, and opinions differ on which is best. This article will examine the evidence on waking babies to feed versus feeding while drowsy, look at the potential benefits and downsides of each method, and provide tips to help parents decide what works best for their family.
The case for waking baby fully
Some experts advise waking your newborn fully when it’s time for a night feeding. Reasons given for this approach include:
Maximizes calorie intake
Waking baby fully helps ensure they feed efficiently and consume the calories they need to continue gaining weight in those early months. Newborns tend to be sleepy, so they may not suck vigorously or feed for as long if allowed to eat while drowsy.
Helps avoid overfeeding
If you let baby sleepily nibble at the breast or bottle, it’s easy to overfeed them without realizing it. A fully awake baby is better able to signal when they are full.
Establishes a routine
Waking to feed at set times trains baby’s body to expect food every 2-3 hours. This helps establish a healthy routine right from the start.
Reduces risk of SIDS
Always placing baby back in the crib wide awake after feeding helps avoid SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). Letting them fall asleep while eating makes it more likely baby will be returned to the crib asleep, which experts advise against.
The case for feeding while drowsy
On the other hand, some experts think it’s fine to let newborns eat while sleepy or even fully asleep. Reasons given for this approach include:
More sleep for everyone
If baby can eat while drowsy, feedings are quicker and less disruptive to their sleep (and yours). This approach maximizes rest for the whole family.
May help baby learn to self-soothe
Allowing a drowsy baby to nurse or take a bottle lets them practice drifting off to sleep on their own, an important self-soothing skill.
Accommodates baby’s needs
Babies know when they are hungry. If your sleepy newborn is willing to eat, you don’t need to fully disturb them to feed. Follow their cues.
Avoids stimulating baby fully awake
Waking baby all the way up to eat in the middle of the night can make it harder for them to go back to sleep afterwards. The drowsy feed lets them eat without fully waking up.
Weighing the pros and cons
As you can see, there are good arguments on both sides of this issue. How do you know which approach is right for your unique baby and family situation? Here are some things to consider:
Your baby’s weight gain
If weight gain is good, then feeding on demand works for your baby. If there are concerns about inadequate weight gain, then waking fully for efficient feeding may be best.
Quality of feedings
Will your baby latch and suck well when drowsy? If feedings seem inefficient when baby is sleepy, try waking fully.
How wakings impact sleep
Do full wakings leave your baby bright-eyed and struggling to go back to sleep? Or are they able to settle right back down? Follow their lead.
Your own needs
If lack of sleep is affecting your health or daily function, waking baby fully may not be sustainable for you. Do what allows everyone to get rest.
Here is a table summarizing the key considerations:
Factor | Favors waking fully | Favors feeding while drowsy |
---|---|---|
Baby’s weight gain | Concerns about low weight gain | Weight gain on track |
Feeding efficiency | Poor latch/suck when drowsy | Baby feeds well when drowsy |
Sleep impact | Baby settles back to sleep easily | Waking disrupts baby’s sleep |
Parental needs | Parent is coping fine on little sleep | Parent desperately needs more sleep |
Tips for making feedings go smoothly
Whether you choose to wake your newborn fully or allow drowsy feeding, here are some tips to help make night feedings go smoothly:
Watch cues before waking
If baby is starting to stir or root around, they may be ready to eat without being fully woken up.
Change diaper first
This helps rouse baby to eat more actively.
Don’t overbundle
Having cool air on skin helps wake baby up. Don’t swaddle or overdress.
Limit stimulation
Keep lights low and voices soft. Avoid excessive noises, activity.
Gently rouse
Rub baby’s back or stomach, rock or burp gently before starting to feed.
Alternate positions
Switch nursing sides or bottle angles to keep baby alert.
Burp frequently
Burping helps wake baby fully and avoids gas buildup.
Watch the clock
Note when feeding starts and avoid going longer than 30 minutes to avoid overfeeding.
Put baby down awake
After feeding, set baby down awake even if they fuss briefly. This teaches independent sleep.
The takeaway
There is no universally agreed upon approach for whether to fully wake newborns for night feedings or allow them to eat while sleepy. Each family will need to experiment to find what works best based on their baby’s unique needs and temperament. The most important thing is ensuring baby gets enough nutrition to gain weight appropriately in those first few months. As patterns develop, parents can adjust approaches as needed to achieve the right balance between sufficient feedings and maximum sleep for everyone.