Do I need to wake my baby?

Some sleepy newborns need to be woken to be able to feed often enough. In the early days your breasts may also feel very full if it’s been a while since your baby fed. It’s OK wake your baby for a feed. Your baby may even feed without being fully awake.

Here are some tips for encouraging your baby to wake: 

• Undress your baby or remove some layers.
• Change your baby’s nappy.
• Hold your baby skin-to-skin, stroke their back, rub their feet and hands.
• Hold your baby facing you and talk to them.
• Gently stroke or blow on your baby’s face.
• Be in a dimly lit room (rather than a bright room) so baby is happy to open their eyes once awake.
• Try a more upright feeding position.
• Hand express a little breastmilk onto your baby’s face near their mouth.

Many newborns fall asleep quickly during a feed and may need encouraging to start sucking actively again.  Here are some suggestions:

Switch breasts each time your baby’s sucking slows or they start to get sleepy.  

Take your baby off, wake them again and start on the other side. You can continue switching sides like this so long as your baby stays awake and feeding. 

Rubbing the palm of your baby’s hand stimulates the Babkin reflex which causes them to open their mouth and they may start sucking again.

Breast compressions can help your baby get more milk at the breast. When their sucking slows or stops, breast compressions increase the flow of breastmilk. This encourages your baby to suck and swallow and get more milk.   
 

Watch your baby for signs that they are getting plenty of milk: lots of poos and wet nappies and increasing alertness.

Some babies may be very sleepy for medical reasons (eg jaundice, infection, heart problem). Sometimes pain relief medications used during the birth are still affecting the baby. Check with your doctor if you’re worried about your baby's behaviour.  

© Australian Breastfeeding Association June 2025