I’m having a hard time breastfeeding because my newborn keeps falling asleep when I latch him. I’m not sure what to try!
This is normal newborn behavior.
It is very common for infants, especially newborns, to fall asleep when at the breast. The act of sucking, being close to you, your heartbeat and warmth are comforting and soothing. Newborns spend the majority of the day sleeping, up to 20 hours! It's important to wake babies to nurse, even at night. If your baby has enough wet and dirty diapers, shows active hunger cues, you can hear him swallowing, and he feeds around 8 to 12 times a day, then it's likely he's getting enough milk. Remember, it is normal for babies to have a suck-suck-swallow pattern when breastfeeding. They often pause during sucking, may feed actively for 5 minutes, then take a break and want to breastfeed again.
If your baby is always falling asleep at your breast, and he's not meeting diaper goals, this needs to be addressed. Falling asleep immediately after latching may result in him not getting enough breast milk, and you may start to produce less. Newborns only need a small amount of milk per feeding, but they still need enough so they have energy to wake up and nurse at their next feeding. It will be most effective to wake baby during the active sleep stage (when they are making movements or their eyes are fluttering under their eyelids). Attempting to wake during deep sleep (when they are motionless and 'floppy') will not usually work.
Tips to Wake a Sleepy Baby
- Undress baby to just a diaper and place him skin to skin
- Change his diaper
- Hold baby upright, straighten out his body and extend his arms above his head
- Burp him
- Stroke the palms of his hands or soles of his feet
During the Feeding
- Before latching, express colostrum/breast milk on the nipple for baby to taste and smell
- If mature milk is in, stimulate letdown so milk is flowing before baby latches on
- Massage the breast during a feeding to encourage milk flow
- Use breast compressions to increase the flow of milk and keep baby actively drinking
- Try a new breastfeeding position. The laid-back position can increase babies' natural instincts, keep them awake, and encourage a deep latch
- Switch positions and breasts during a feeding
Get Support
Your baby needs a good latch to transfer milk before dozing off. Make sure he has a deep latch and is not just nipple feeding. Your peer counselor is available to offer help anytime! Also, get support from a lactation consultant. Latching can be tiring for newborns because their muscles need to work hard. Ask a trained dentist or lactation consultant to check your baby's mouth for issues that could affect breastfeeding, like lip or tongue ties. (Signs and symptoms below)
Looking Ahead
As babies get older, they start sleeping less and become more active and alert. You may be wondering when you can stop waking baby for feedings during the night. There is no magic age for this transition, but there are signs that let us know when it is okay to go with a more baby-led approach to night-time feeding. Click here for more information on normal infant sleep patterns.
Readiness Signs:
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- Baby is above their birth weight
- Having adequate wet/dirty diapers
- Feeding at least 8-12 times in 24 hours
- Is not jaundiced
Depending on how you are feeling about your milk supply, and baby's age, you may need to wake baby at least one time during the night to feed. Going a full 8-10 hours without a feeding may negatively impact milk supply. It's important to note the difference between not waking baby to feed and not feeding when baby wakes up. Continue to feed on demand, even at night, until baby is older.
SOURCE: https://www.laleche.org.uk/sleepy-baby-why-and-what-to-do/