What to do if baby wont wake for feed?

Understanding the Situation
When a baby won’t wake for a feed, it can be concerning for parents, especially during the early days of parenthood. Newborns typically require frequent feeding, and their health and growth depend on regular nourishment. However, it’s essential to approach this situation with both understanding and caution.
Assessing the Baby’s Health
1. Monitor Feeding Patterns:
Newborns generally need to be fed every 2 to 3 hours, but individual patterns may vary. If a baby is unusually difficult to wake for feeds, it’s crucial to assess their usual feeding schedule and any recent changes.
2. Check for Signs of Distress:
Parents should look for indicators that might suggest their baby is unwell or overly lethargic. Signs of distress can include:
– A change in skin color (such as a bluish hue)
– Difficulty breathing or unusual breathing patterns
– Unresponsiveness or lack of typical reflexes
If any of these signs are present, seeking immediate medical advice is essential.
Techniques to Gently Wake the Baby
If the baby is simply sleeping deeply but is otherwise healthy, there are gentle techniques parents can employ to encourage them to wake for a feed:
1. Skin-to-Skin Contact:
Holding the baby close to the skin can stimulate them to wake up. This method not only helps in waking the baby but also promotes bonding and can enhance breastfeeding.
2. Change Diapers:
Sometimes, a simple diaper change can rouse a baby from sleep. The cool air and physical movement might stimulate them to wake up and feed.
3. Gentle Stimulation:
Lightly rubbing the baby’s back, arms, or legs can help encourage them to wake. Parents can also try softly talking or singing to the baby.
4. Offer a Pacifier:
If the baby shows some signs of waking but isn’t fully alert, offering a pacifier can help stimulate their sucking reflex, which may encourage them to wake for feeding.
When to Seek Assistance
If a baby consistently refuses to wake for feeds, or if parents are concerned about their baby’s sleeping patterns, it’s crucial to consult a pediatrician. Professional guidance can help determine if there is an underlying issue affecting the baby’s feeding habits or overall health.
Conclusion
While it’s not uncommon for babies to occasionally sleep longer than usual, persistent difficulty in waking for feeds should not be ignored. Parents must remain vigilant and responsive to their baby’s needs, ensuring they receive the nourishment essential for their growth. Engaging with healthcare professionals can provide reassurance and necessary support in navigating these early stages of parenthood.

What to do when baby is too sleepy to eat?

My tips for encouraging a sleepy feeder to suck and swallow at the breast are:

1. Feed baby in a nappy only.
2. Get a wet flannel out to further wake baby up if they fall asleep quickly on the breast.
3. Tickle their cheek or chin to try and stimulate their suck reflex.

What to do if baby won’t wake up to eat?

If baby still won’t eat, allow him/her to sleep another hour, and try again. When you’re in the hospital, call the nurses for help if baby still won’t nurse. If you’re at home and baby won’t wake up to feed and has missed two feedings, pump your breasts and feed baby your pumped milk or formula with a slow flow nipple.

How long can I let my baby sleep without feeding?

Breastfed babies feed often, about every 2–3 hours. Bottle-fed babies tend to feed less often, about every 3–4 hours. Newborns who sleep for longer stretches should be awakened to feed. Wake your baby every 3–4 hours to eat until he or she shows good weight gain, which usually happens within the first couple of weeks.

What to do if my baby won’t stay awake to feed?

Start with a diaper change to help your baby wake up a bit. You might also add in a diaper change halfway through the feeding. Undress your baby (with only a diaper on them) and let them be skin-to-skin during feeding. Skin-to-skin contact encourages sucking and helps keep your baby awake while feeding.

Is it okay if baby doesn’t wake for feed?

Unless your child is unusually small or has a special medical condition, there is no need to wake your child for feedings at night. And if your child was one of these rare special cases, your pediatrician would have told you so by now.

What if baby doesn’t burp and falls asleep?

What to do in this case? A: If your baby falls asleep before burping, gently try to burp them while they are still drowsy. If unsuccessful, it’s generally okay to let them sleep without forcing a burp. Ensure a comfortable sleeping position to prevent discomfort, and try burping after the next feeding.

What if my baby is too sleepy for full feed?

Encourage active nursing on the first breast, watching and listening for signs of swallowing. Use breast compression (see below) to keep your baby nursing actively. Offer the other side in the same way. You can switch back and forth several times if it helps your baby stay awake and feed.

Are there any signs of SIDS before it happens?

SIDS has no symptoms or warning signs. Babies who die of SIDS seem healthy before being put to bed. They show no signs of struggle and are often found in the same position as when they were placed in the bed.

What are the chances of SIDS happening?

About 2,500 babies in the United States die every year due to SIDS. While this SIDS statistic may sound alarming, the condition is rare and your baby’s risk of dying from it is very low.

What if my baby won’t wake for a dream feed?

In your case if the dream feed isn’t working, get rid of it and replace with a snooze feed, but gently try to push the snooze feed closer to the DWT, until it becomes the wake-up feed.