How to keep a newborn awake during feeding?
While bonding with your infant during feedings can be a wonderful experience. But, what happens if they consistently nod asleep in the middle of the meal? A tedious task for sure.
Keeping your baby awake while feeding is MUST. For your baby to receive the nutrients and growth they need, you must nurse them while awake. And there are proven methods to do that.
Want to know them? This blog post will provide some doable, efficient ways to ensure your baby is fed and attentive throughout these priceless feeding times.
Why do Newborns Fall Asleep During Feeding?
Newborns have tiny bellies and need to fill up more frequently, often every 2-3 hours.
Here are some common culprits for the child to sleep:
- Naturally drowsy: Newborns frequently nap during the day and require a lot of sleep. A sleepy phase may occasionally follow a feeding, leading to a tired dinner.
- Post-birth lethargy: Because of childbirth stress, babies may be exhausted in the first few days.
- Milk flow: A slow milk flow often irritate infants and they sleep while feeding.
- Warmth: While a warm, cuddly feeding session could be soothing, it might also cause your baby to go sleepy.
- Fullness: Occasionally, a rapid feeder may become satisfied before consuming sufficient milk, resulting in an early slumber.
Importance of Staying Awake
Why is staying awake important for babies during breastfeeding? It is the question that might pop up in your mind.
You will know the answer shortly.
- Adequate Nutrition: Make sure that your baby stays awake during feeding because this will help them consume more milk, which is vital for their growth and development.
- Effective Latching: For breastfeeding mothers, a baby who latches properly and stays awake ensures an effective milk transfer and helps maintain the milk supply.
- Prevents Sleep Association: Keeping your baby awake during feeding prevents them from associating feeding with sleep. It is essential because this habit is tough to break later on.
Related Post: Does new born need to wear a hat?
Creating the Right Environment
The environment in which you feed your baby matters. Here are some tips:
Optimal Lighting
- Bright, Natural Light: Feed your baby in a well-lit area. Natural light can help stimulate their senses and keep them awake.
- Avoid Dim Lighting: Avoid soft, dim lighting during feeding times as it may encourage sleepiness.
Minimize Distractions
- Quiet Space: Select a peaceful, quiet area to feed your baby and help them focus.
- Limit Screen Time: Steer clear of screens and loud noises that may divert their attention from feeding.
Techniques to Keep Your Newborn Awake During Feeding
Once you're done, employ the following techniques to keep your baby alert during feeding. Here are some techniques:
Correct Position for feeding
Placement is crucial in ensuring your newborn stays attentive while being fed.
Vertical Position: Support your baby while standing upright. This helps maintain their alertness and can also aid digestion.
Change positions: When breastfeeding, switch sides often. This keeps your baby interested and also helps boost milk production.
Gentle Stimulation
Light stimulation can help to keep your baby awake without causing any distress.
- Light exposure can help prevent your baby from getting sleepy without causing any discomfort.
- Tickling their feet or back gently can also be of great use in keeping them alert.
- Gently stroke your baby's cheek or ear to encourage them to remain alert.
Keep the Feeding Environment Comfortable
The environment in which you feed your baby can significantly influence your baby's alertness.
- Temperature: Excessive warmth and a cozy atmosphere will cause your baby to sleep, so make sure the room is neither too hot nor too cold. A colder environment can help maintain your baby's level of alertness.
- Soft lighting. Extremely dim or extremely bright lights can cause drowsiness or overstimulation.
Burp your Baby
Frequent burping while feeding your baby is also very useful as it helps the baby to remain alert.
- Mid-feed burping: Take a break to burp your baby during feeding. This brief pause can wake them sufficiently to resume feeding efficiently.
Interact with Your Infant
Engaging with your baby while feeding can help them stay alert and interested.
- Speak to them: Communicate or sing to your infant during feeding using a gentle, soothing tone. Your vocalization can greatly help keep them attentive.
- Eye Contact: Maintain eye contact to establish a connection and ensure that their attention remains on you.
Adjust Feeding Times
Feeding your baby when they are somewhat awake but not excessively tired can make a significant difference.
- Pre-wake feeds: It is recommended that you feed your baby as they begin to wake up from a nap instead of waiting until they are fully awake and possibly drowsy again.
- Cluster feeding: Cluster feeding involves providing shorter feeds more frequently when babies are most awake and alert, particularly in the early evening.
Employ Soft Motions
Using soft movements is very important in preventing your baby from falling asleep.
- Rocking or swaying: Gently rocking or swaying during feeding can help keep your baby awake without being too distracting.
Change the Surroundings
Diversity in the surroundings can help keep your infant engaged during meal times.
- Alternate sides or breasts: If nursing, change sides more often. When bottle-feeding, experiment with offering the bottle from various angles.
- Provide an Alternative Feeding Position: Switching up the feeding position can pique your baby's curiosity and prevent them from falling asleep.
Keep the Session Short and Sweet
Extended feeding sessions can increase the likelihood of your baby falling asleep.
- Short Bursts: Try to have shorter, more frequent feedings instead of extended, prolonged sessions. This can help your baby stay more interested and focused.
Monitor and Adjust
Each infant is unique, and what is effective for one may not be effective for another. Monitor your baby's reactions and modify your methods accordingly.
- Have patience: It could take multiple attempts to discover the ideal mix of methods that best suit your baby.
- Notice Trends: Be mindful of when your baby is most awake and attempt to coordinate feeding schedules during those times.
Engaging Your Baby During Feeding
Want to make a stronger connection with your little one while feeding?
The answer lies in your ability to engage the baby in different activities. Such activities keep them awake and engage them; thus, babies have proper nutrition.
Here are some tips to keep the baby engaged during the feeding process:
Making Eye Contact and Interacting
- Talk and Sing: To keep your infant interested, speak to them in a soothing tone or sing to them gently.
- Make Eye Contact: Look them in the eye to establish a rapport and pique their interest.
Stimulation of Vision
- Toys and Mobiles: Use bright toys or a mobile to keep your baby interested during feedings.
- Expressions on Faces: Faces captivate babies. To keep kids interested, smile or make amusing faces.
Use of Music
- Soft Music: Turn on some relaxing, soft music in the background. This can keep your infant awake and create a calming environment.
- Lullabies: Lullabies can entertain and soothe your infant while keeping them asleep.
Time and Schedules for Feeding
Establishing a feeding plan for your infant is crucial. Everything you require to understand the feeding times and schedules is provided below:
Cues of hunger
- Watch Out for Indications: Babies do give signs when they are hungry. Always look for such signs and indications such as smacking of lips and sucking of hands.
Make a Schedule for Regular Feedings
- Regular feeding schedules: Establish a feeding plan that fits your baby's natural awake and sleep cycles.
- Avoid Overfeeding: Overfeeding might cause sleepiness; therefore, exercise caution.
Related Post: How to measure infant length?
Conclusion
As we’re done with tips and techniques for keeping your child awake, remember that every child is unique. Go for what is best for you and your baby.
While keeping your baby awake during feed time can be challenging, the techniques above will help. Employ them to create a memorable bond between you and your little one.
FAQs
Q1: What is the reason for my newborn dozing off while being fed?
Newborns frequently doze off while feeding, as sucking brings a calming and comforting sensation. When paired with their innate sleep habits, this can cause them to fall asleep quickly. Ensuring they remain alert aids in receiving the required nutrients and stops them from forming a link between sleep and eating.
Q2: Is it normal for my infant to fall asleep at every feeding?
Generally speaking, babies often fall asleep while feeding, but this pattern should not be repeated every time. For more precise answers and guidance, see your pediatrician. If babies are not showing signs of hunger, it's a matter of great concern.
Q3: How can I keep my newborn awake during night feedings?
During night feedings, consider soothing activities like soft talking, regular burping, and tickling your newborn's feet to keep them awake. To assist in keeping children aware without overstimulating them, keep the room at a lower temperature and use dim but not entirely dark illumination.
Q4: When should I get help if my baby doesn’t stay awake during feedings?
Go for your pediatrician or lactation consultants if your baby isn’t feeding properly. If this pattern is typical or has trouble latching, go to your doctor as soon as possible. They can offer direction and assistance to ensure your infant eats properly.
