When Should You Wake Your Baby To Feed?
Have you ever heard the phrase, “Never wake a sleeping baby”? While the thought of waking up your newborn baby can be scary enough to make any parent break out in a cold sweat, there are times that you should wake them up!
For the most part, you only need to wake your baby up to eat when they are newborns. Depending on your baby’s health and personality, they will need a tailored schedule to fit their needs. Continue reading to learn more about when to wake your baby to feed.
When Should I Wake My Sleeping Baby?
Your baby is sleeping peacefully, likely dreaming of sugar plums. The idea of waking them up might stress you out, but don’t let it! While babies definitely need to catch some ZZZs, there are times when they should be woken up for their benefit. Here are some reasons as to why you may need to wake up your baby:
1. It’s Time to Begin Their Day
Keeping your baby on a loose schedule can help your baby (and you) make it through the day, as free-for-alls can be very stressful! Your baby should be waking up around 7am each morning so that they can begin their daily routine.
2. To Accommodate Your Work Schedule
As much as your baby might be trying to continue to sleep in the morning, you may have to wake them up so that you can get to work. If you are returning back to work, don’t be afraid to wake them up earlier than you would normally! After a few days, your baby will naturally begin to fall into your routine.
3. To Ensure They Are in Bed By 7/8PM
Even if their naps are a little scattered throughout the day, it may be a good idea not to let your baby sleep past 4:30/5pm at night. This is because if they sleep too close to bedtime, they may not actually go to bed when they should!
How Often Should My Baby Be Feeding?
The younger your baby is, the more often they will need to eat. This is because a newborn’s stomach is significantly smaller than a one-month-old’s stomach!
A newborn should be eating every 2-3 hours to ensure their stomachs are full. Six weeks old, on the other hand, can go up to 7 hours (at night) without feeding. As they grow, they can have longer stretches of sleep without needing to be woken. Eventually, you won’t need to wake them to eat at all (hello, sleep!).
Should I Wake My Baby For Diaper Changes?
For the most part, there’s no reason you need to wake your baby for a diaper change. If your baby has a severe diaper rash or irritation, though, it may be a good idea to wake them up throughout the night for regular changes, but if not, they will let you know if they need one!
With this in mind, when your baby wakes up for a feeding in the middle of the night, it's a good opportunity to squeeze in a diaper change.
Do I Need To Wake My Baby to Eat Throughout the Night?
Whether you need to wake your baby up or not throughout the night for feeding is completely up to your baby and their pediatrician. If their doctor thinks they should wake up throughout the night, then they definitely need that extra feeding! Usually, though, as long as your baby is gaining weight as they should, they can have one longer stretch of sleep throughout the night (think 4-5 hours).
Keep in mind that if your baby is not sleeping for any long stretches, don’t be alarmed! This just means that they aren’t developmentally ready to be sleeping for long periods of time. Rest assured, because before you know it, they’ll be toddlers who sleep throughout the night!
Once your baby has been cleared by their pediatrician, you can let them sleep until they wake you to eat. Although your baby may reach the age where they can sleep for longer stretches at night, they might not. This is okay as well, and it just means that they still need to eat at night to ensure they are growing big and strong!
At around 6 - 8 months old, you can usually safely wean your baby off of night feedings as long as your pediatrician gives you the green light. There are many resources available to assist you in gentle weaning if you need it.
Keep Track of Your Baby’s Feeding Schedule with Baby Connect
Feeding your baby is one of the most basic necessities they need to thrive. Some babies have difficulty eating and gaining weight, while others learn to feed seamlessly. When babies are newborns, it’s important to ensure they are getting enough to eat so that they can grow big and strong.
This can mean waking your little cherub up in the middle of the night so that they can pack on the pounds! Using Baby Connect is a lifesaver for tired parents everywhere. With ease, you can track your baby’s feeding schedule and the amount they ate, bowel movements, questionable skin rashes, and more. The early days of parenting can all blur together, so using this app will ensure you never forget your baby’s important information.
