How to wake up a newborn to feed: Our top parenting tips

In the early weeks of parenthood, it’s natural to want to let your little one sleep, especially when they’re finally sleeping soundly. But sometimes, the priority is knowing how to wake up a newborn to feed. Whether your newborn is too sleepy to feed, premature, or gaining weight slowly, regular feeding is essential for their growth and development.

If you’ve ever asked yourself, ‘should I wake my newborn to feed?’ or ‘what if my newborn is not waking up to eat?’, you’re not alone. Many new parents are surprised to learn that waking a sleeping infant is sometimes necessary and perfectly okay.

This guide explains why some babies need to be woken up for feeds, when to wake a newborn to feed, and gentle, effective ways to rouse your baby when they’re just too snoozy.

Reasons for waking a sleeping infant

 

In the first few weeks after birth, newborns need to feed frequently, at least 8 to 12 times in 24 hours.¹ This is because:²

 

• Their stomachs are very small
• Breast milk is easy to digest, so they can be ready for another feed quickly
• It supports healthy weight gain and hydration

 

While some babies naturally wake when hungry, others, particularly preterm infants, those with jaundice, babies recovering from a difficult birth, or babies who are not getting enough milk, may sleep through hunger cues.³

 

This is when it’s important to know how to wake up a newborn to feed effectively.

When to wake a newborn to feed

 

Wondering when to wake a newborn to feed? You should generally wake your little one if:^3,4

 

• They sleep longer than 3–4 hours during the day
• They sleep longer than 4 hours overnight during the first few weeks
• They are underweight or not gaining enough
• They were born prematurely or have health concerns
• Your midwife or health visitor advises it

 

Once your baby shows good weight gain and is feeding well, you may no longer need to wake them as often. Always follow your health professional’s advice on when to stop waking up a newborn to feed.

How to wake up a newborn: Gentle techniques that work

 

If your newborn is not waking up to eat or refuses to feed, don’t panic. It’s common, especially in the first few weeks. But it is important to encourage your little one to feed regularly, even when they are in a deep sleep. Here are some tried-and-tested techniques for waking a sleeping infant safely and calmly:

 

1. Unwrap or undress your baby

Babies love to sleep when they’re warm and snug. Removing layers or loosening their swaddle can help make them alert enough to feed.

 

2. Change their nappy

The sensation of a fresh nappy change is often enough to stir a newborn too sleepy to feed (particularly if undressing alone doesn’t do the job). It’s also a great way to encourage wakefulness without distress. 

 

3. Use skin-to-skin contact

Holding your baby skin-to-skin on your chest helps regulate their body temperature and may naturally trigger feeding instincts.⁵

 

4. Gently rub or massage

Softly stroking your baby’s back, palms, or soles of the feet can stimulate their senses and help them rouse.

 

5. Tickle their cheeks or lips

Lightly touching their cheek or running a finger along the top lip can encourage the rooting reflex and prompt feeding behaviour.⁶

 

6. Try the “burp and switch” method

If your newborn falls asleep during feeding, try burping them and then switching to the other breast or bottle side. This break can help wake them up for more milk.⁷

 

7. Adjust the environment

Open the curtains or turn on soft lighting. A slight change in the environment can be enough to encourage wakefulness.

What to do if your newborn is too sleepy to feed

 

Even with the right techniques, some newborns are too sleepy to feed effectively. In these cases:

 

•  Offer smaller, more frequent feeds

In periods when your baby is more alert, try cluster feeding. This can help ensure your little one is getting enough milk when they are awake and more willing to feed. 

When your baby is awake and ready to feed, you’ll want everything set up so they can start eating straight away. Using a convenient and easy-to-use device like the Philips Avent 2-in-1 bottle warmer and steriliser can help. It warms milk to the right temperature in minutes, and doubles as a steriliser for bottles. This means you can prepare feeds quickly without juggling multiple gadgets, giving you more time to focus on feeding your baby while they’re alert. 

 

• Track wet and dirty nappies

These are key indicators of whether your baby is getting enough milk.⁸

 

• Keep a feeding log

Note times, duration, and which side (if breastfeeding). This can help identify certain feeding patterns and support health professional check-ups.

 

• Contact your midwife, health visitor, or GP

If your baby is hard to wake, feeds poorly, or seems lethargic, it is always best to seek professional advice.

When to stop waking up a newborn to feed

 

Most healthy babies can sleep for longer stretches once they are:

 

• Gaining weight consistently
• Past their birth weight
• A couple of weeks old, depending on individual growth and health⁹

 

At this stage, many babies naturally begin to wake for feeds on their own. So, ditch the fixed breastfeeding schedule, relax a little, and start following their feeding cues. 

 

Knowing how to wake up a newborn to feed is a skill many new parents learn through experience. The early weeks can be tough, especially when you’re juggling sleepless nights with feeding schedules — but it gets easier.

 

And if you have any concerns, remember to talk to your health visitor if your newborn is not waking up to eat regularly. They will be able to give you the best advice for the individuals needs of your little one.

 

With time, your baby will become more alert, and feeding will become more predictable. Until then, keep showing up, keep loving, and keep feeding, even if that means waking them from time to time.