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Anne-Marie Mougeot

Tips to Breastfeed your Sleepy Baby⁣



breastfeeding a sleepy baby

Some babies spend so much time sleeping during the first few weeks after birth that it can be difficult to nurse at least 8 times each day.⁣ In addition to speaking with your doctor or midwife about your concerns, here are a few tips that might help:⁣

• Make sure baby isn’t too warm by dressing them in light clothing or undressing down to their diaper to feed. ⁣A warm baby is a sleepy baby.

• Hold baby so their tummy is down on the parent’s semi reclined body, ideally skin-to-skin to trigger baby’s inborn feeding reflexes. ⁣

• Consider avoiding swaddling as this can lead to longer sleeps, inhibit feeding reflexes and lead to missed feeding cues. ⁣

• Cluster or bunch feeds together during baby’s naturally occurring wake and alert times (yes, even if it’s during the middle of the night!)⁣

• Guide baby to latch and add manual breast compressions if baby falls asleep early during their feed to rouse them and trigger their sucking reflex or give them a little tickle. ⁣

It is normal for newborns to move in and out of sleep often and babies can nurse effectively while in a light sleep.⁣

If you are concerned that your baby may not be feeding often enough or have concerns around their weight, please check in with your healthcare provider. ⁣

This is not meant to be medical advice, please consult with your doctor or midwife regarding any concerns about your baby.

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