Should I Wake My Newborn for a Feeding?

Do I wake up my sleeping baby for a feed?! Most new moms have faced that question in the first few days or weeks of their child's life.

Here's what to keep in mind: According to the Mayo Clinic, your child may lose weight during the first few days after birth. Mayo Clinic researchers note that a child will "usually regain this lost weight within 1 to 2 weeks after birth. Until then, it's important to feed your baby often. This might mean waking your baby for a feeding..."

How often does my newborn need to nurse

Here's what to consider when it comes to how often you should be feeding your new baby. The CDC notes that during the first few days your child may need to eat every 1-3 hours. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, newborns eat every 2 to 3 hours (or 8 to 12 times every 24 hours). At about 2 months, that increases to usually 4 to 5 ounces a feeding every 3 to 4 hours. At 4 months, babies usually take 4 to 6 ounces. At 6 months, a baby takes up to 8 ounces every 4 to 5 hours. 

When your child is a little older you may consider what's called a dream feed. This is when you feed your baby one more time before you go to sleep. You don’t completely wake them up, just wake them enough to eat. Research shows that having that extra feeding between 10:00 p.m. and midnight will reduce the chances your baby wakes up hungry in the middle of the night. This also means that mom gets a little extra sleep! 

Mom wearing a nursing shirt with hidden access to feed her daughter.

What is cluster feeding and when does that happen?

Cluster feeding is when your child nurses more often than usual over several hours, essentially “clustering” their feeds close together. For a newborn, this could mean nursing every hour (or sometimes even every 30 minutes) instead of every 2–3 hours. In older babies it could mean having less than two hours between feedings. Keep in mind that newborn cluster feeding can happen around the clock in the first few days, when your milk is still beginning to come in. During this time, it’s normal for your baby to be fussy as they nurse on and off. After a few hours of your baby feeding frequently, it’s possible they may give you a longer stretch of sleep during the first part of the night.

Rest assured, cluster feeding typically only lasts a few days at a time, so you’ll be back to your routine soon.