Why Does My Baby Keep Falling Asleep at the Breast?
Does your newborn keep falling asleep at the breast? Learn why newborns can be sleepy, how to wake baby for another feed, and how to tell if baby may need more help.
Reviewed by Courtney Garland, NICU Registered Nurse, IBCLC Lactation Consultant and Paediatric Sleep Consultant
Your baby wakes up hungry.
You put them onto the breast.
They suck beautifully for a few minutes.
And then...
Fast asleep.
You wake them.
They suck twice.
Fast asleep again.
If this is your newborn, you are definitely not alone.
Especially in those first couple of days, babies can be very sleepy little feeders.
Why is my newborn so sleepy?
Birth is a huge transition.
Some babies are alert and ready to feed straight away, while others spend quite a lot of that first day sleeping.
Then day two often arrives and suddenly your quiet little newborn finds their voice.
They wake more frequently and start asking for the breast much more often.
What matters is not whether baby ever falls asleep while feeding. Most newborns will.
What we want to know is whether they are getting a good feed before they fall asleep.
Try my favourite sleepy baby trick
Do not change baby’s nappy as soon as they wake up.
Feed them first.
Let baby go onto the breast while they are awake and interested.
Then if they fall asleep on the breast, change their nappy.
The nappy change usually wakes them back up enough to offer the breast again.
So it is simply:
Wake. Feed. Fall asleep. Nappy change. Feed again.
You are saving your best wake up trick until you actually need it.
How do I keep baby awake long enough to feed?
Skin to skin can help.
You can also unwrap baby a little, gently rub their back or feet, or switch sides.
But I do not want you spending an hour constantly poking and prodding a baby who is barely feeding.
Instead, look at the whole picture: wees, poos, how baby is feeding, whether they seem satisfied after some feeds, and weight gain as they get older.
If you are still wondering whether baby is getting enough, watch “Is My Baby Getting Enough Milk?” in the Breastfeeding Library and I will walk you through exactly what to look for.
When should sleepiness worry me?
There is a difference between a sleepy newborn who feeds well when they wake and a baby who is very difficult to wake and barely feeds at all.
If baby repeatedly will not wake for feeds, is feeding very poorly, has fewer wet or dirty nappies than expected, seems unusually floppy or lethargic, or you are simply worried, have them assessed.
That is not the baby I want you trying endless little tricks on at home.
Related articles
• The First Breastfeed: What Actually Happens After Birth?
• How Do I Know My Breastfed Baby Is Getting Enough Milk?
• My Milk Hasn’t Come In Yet. What Is My Baby Actually Drinking?
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Want to see your baby’s patterns come together?
Track feeds, sleep, nappies and growth in one place, and find support for the questions that come up along the way in The Mama Years.
Open The Mama Years