My baby wakes up many times at night and sometimes right after breastfeeding. Is she waking up because she is hungry? Do I need to supplement with formula?
There’s always more to learn about parenting, and babies’ sleeping behaviors can be super confusing! Many moms worry that their baby’s waking up might mean they didn’t get enough from breastfeeding. However, this is often not true. Supplementing with formula might lead to overfeeding, and even if it results in longer sleep, it may not be the safest kind of sleep. Read on to learn more about normal infant sleep patterns, which may put your mind at ease regarding breastfeeding concerns.
Myths & Facts About Babies’ Sleep
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Myth: A good baby is one who sleeps all night long.
Fact: Babies cycle through periods of wakefulness and sleep. If a baby sleeps too much, they may not be getting enough to eat. Babies’ bodies are not ready to go all night without eating. Their tummies are very tiny, and breast milk digests quickly and easily, so getting those nighttime calories is vital for their growth and well-being. - Myth: Babies only wake up because they are hungry.
Fact: Babies wake often because their brains have completed a sleep cycle. Babies' sleep cycles are much shorter than adults’ sleep cycles, so it is very normal for them to stir and wake more often. -
Myth: Formula will help my baby sleep better.
Fact: Formula doesn’t have a magic ingredient that promotes sleep, and due to their sucking instinct, a baby will suck down a bottle of formula even when they aren’t hungry. Overfeeding can cause gas and tummy issues, which can disrupt sleep. Breast milk changes throughout the day. The substances in your body that affect your circadian rhythm (the 24-hour cycle that aligns with day and night, signaling your body when it’s time to wake, sleep, and eat) are found in your breast milk. Towards the end of the day, breast milk has more melatonin, a hormone that promotes healthy sleep.
Normal Sleep Amounts
- From Birth to 8 Weeks: Babies sleep 16 out of 24 hours and wake up 3 to 4 times at night.
- 2 Months: Babies take several naps a day and wake 2 to 3 times a night.
- 4 Months: Several naps are still common during the day, and they wake 1 to 2 times at night.
- 6 Months: Babies take 2 to 3 naps during the day. Some babies are ready to sleep through the night, while others may wake once.
Sleep Stages
Babies cycle between active and deep sleep. Each cycle is about one hour and newborns tend to wake up with each sleep cycle. Click here for more information on infant states.
During active sleep, babies wake up easily. If you lay your baby down too quickly after breastfeeding (when she first falls asleep), she may wake up. This doesn’t necessarily mean she is hungry or that she wasn’t satisfied with that feeding.
During deep sleep, your baby’s brain is resting, and she will not wake up easily. If she is in this state before being laid down, she is likely to stay sleeping.
Waking Baby to Breastfeed
It is not usually necessary to wake babies to eat, and sleep is vital to their growth and development. However, things like prematurity and jaundice can cause babies to sleep through feedings, and in this case, they need to be woken to breastfeed. Make sure she is getting 8 to 12 feedings in 24 hours and is latched deeply to the breast to ensure adequate milk transfer.
Attempting to wake your baby from active sleep will be more successful. Undress baby, change her diaper, hold her skin-to-skin, and click here for more information on sleepy babies.
Looking Ahead
Sleeping all night is a developmental stage, and your baby will reach it when she is ready. As babies (and their tummies) grow, their sleep cycles change. They take fewer naps during the day and begin having longer periods of sleep at night. Follow your baby’s lead when it comes to nighttime feedings. As she nears one year of age, she may be ready for other comfort measures besides breastfeeding at night. For more information on your baby’s development, click here.
Having an infant is tiring, and her sleep greatly impacts your sleep. The sleepless nights will be a thing of the past soon enough. For now, enjoy every moment with your baby. She is blessed to have you, and your breast milk provides countless benefits that will last a lifetime.
SOURCE:
USDA WIC Breastfeeding Curriculum