You may have heard of the dreaded “feed to sleep association,” or you may be seeing it firsthand. While it’s really sweet to watch your little one fall asleep in your arms, it can be difficult to navigate.
It’s not uncommon for babies to drift off to sleep while feeding. Keeping your sleepy baby awake during feeding can help ensure full feedings, which in turn, can help create optimal overnight sleep. and may Breaking the feed to sleep association is easier said than done. In today’s blog, we’ll share practical and effective strategies on how to keep babies awake during feeding.
How To Keep Baby Awake During Feeding
Why Should Babies Stay Awake While Feeding?
Keeping your baby awake while feeding helps YOU in the long-run. When a baby falls asleep while nursing or during bottle feeding, it can lead to incomplete feedings. This not only means your baby may not get enough milk, but it can also result in more frequent feedings. A lot of those “frequent feedings” end up rearing their heads in the middle of the night. This can lead to disrupted sleep for both you and your baby.
Moreover, consistently falling asleep while feeding can create a dependency on feeding as a sleep aid. If your child relies on feeding to sleep, it can make it difficult for them to develop independent sleep skills later.
Does your baby wake after 30-45 minutes during nap time? That’s a classic sign of a feed to sleep association. If your child is depending on feedings to fall back to sleep, then they may struggle to connect sleep cycles during their naps.
Should You Keep Baby Awake While Feeding?
Yes, it’s generally recommended to keep your baby awake while feeding. When a baby falls asleep at the breast or with a bottle, they may not consume enough milk. Additionally, this habit can blur the lines between sleeping and eating, creating long-term sleep associations that can be difficult to break.
Negative effects of sleeping while feeding include:
- Poor weight gain due to incomplete feedings
- Increased night wakings for hunger
- Short and non-restorative naps (30-45 minute cat naps)
- Difficulty transitioning to independent sleep habits
By keeping your baby awake during feedings, you can ensure full feedings and support healthy routines.
How To Keep A Baby Awake During Feeding
Skin-to-Skin Contact
Engaging in skin-to-skin contact during feeding can help keep your baby alert. This is especially effective for newborns who respond well to physical closeness.
Switch Sides
If your baby starts to get drowsy while nursing, switch sides. This change in position can stimulate them and encourage active sucking. For bottle fed babies, you can achieve a similar effect by adjusting their position.
Breast Compressions
Using breast compressions while nursing can help maintain milk flow, which may keep your baby’s interest. This technique can ensure your baby is actively feeding and not just comfort nursing.
Tickle Baby’s Feet
Gently tickling your baby’s feet can provide just enough stimulation to keep them awake without startling them. You can also rub their hands or lightly pat their back to help them stay engaged in feeding.
Create an Engaging Environment
Feed your baby in a well-lit area during the day to help them differentiate between days and nights. While nighttime feedings should remain calm and dimly lit, daytime feedings in a brighter space can help keep your baby awake and alert.
Burp Between Sides or Bottles
Taking a break to burp your baby mid-feed can wake them up if they’re starting to drift off. This break also helps relieve any gas, ensuring a more comfortable feeding experience.
Adjust Feeding Positions
Experiment with different feeding positions to see what keeps your baby most alert. Some babies may stay awake better in a more upright position, while others respond to slight changes in how they’re held.
If you are struggling with the amount of feedings your newborn or infant requires in the middle of the night, it may be time to learn how to wean night feedings. You may also be hanging on to a dream feed. Find out when the appropriate time to drop a dream feed is as well to ensure your child is getting optimal overnight sleep.
By implementing these strategies, you can ensure your baby stays awake during feedings, gets a full meal, and avoids creating a feed-to-sleep association. Whether you’re working with a lactation consultant or managing bottle feeding on your own, these tips can make feeding your baby a more successful and fulfilling experience. If you are worried whether your baby is getting enough milk, or good feedings, consult with your pediatrician or a lactation consultant.
Sleep Shore Sleep Consulting
Is your little one having difficulty with their feed to sleep association? If your child is unable to fall asleep, stay asleep, or wake up at a normal time, it may be time to consider sleep training. Sleep Shore offers personalized solutions for each unique sleeping situation to get your little one on track- whether they’re a newborn, infant, or toddler. We also offer in home sleep training services in the Boston, Massachusetts and Michigan area. Sleep training offers babies and children with the skills to fall asleep on their own so they can wake up feeling more well-rested- and in turn, you’ll feel more energized, too! See what this mama had to say about our sleep services below:
“Molly knows BABIES! She is gentle, kind and practical with her advice. As a mom of two who NEEDS her sleep, Molly was able to teach me easy to implement tips to help my children sleep better. I know she is a lifesaver to so many mamas and new parents. TRUST Molly to help you and YOUR BABY get better sleep!” – Mom of 4-Month-Old