Why Do Babies Fall Asleep While Nursing?

Baby’s hungry, so you put them to your breast or offer a bottle, and within a few minutes they’re fast asleep. (We’ve all been there and wondered what to do) Newborns pretty much exclusively sleep and eat in those first few weeks of life, but it’s still confusing when they drift off after just a few minutes of feeding. Did they get enough to eat? Are they getting sufficient sleep? Should you wake them up? These are just a few of the questions you might be wondering. But first things first: Why is it that baby falls asleep while nursing? Read on to learn everything to know about a newborn falling asleep at the breast.

Why Baby Falls Asleep While Nursing

It’s incredibly common for baby to nod off during a feeding—it’s one of the reasons so many parents offer milk before bed to help baby sleep. “Many newborns and young infants often doze off during nursing or bottle-feeding,” says Yvon Bock, IBCLC, founder and CEO of Hegen. “It’s part of their natural sleep-wake cycle and feeding routine, especially in the early months of life.” But why do babies fall asleep while eating?

It turns out that pregnant women aren’t the only ones impacted by hormones—babies are too. In fact, one of the top reasons baby falls asleep while nursing or bottle-feeding has to do with hormones, explains Jessica Madden, MD, IBCLC, a board-certified pediatrician and medical director of Aeroflow Breastpumps. As baby sucks, a satiety hormone called cholecystokinin (CCK) is released in their body, promoting sleep—and CCK levels are highest once baby has a full stomach.

Along with CCK, babies also fall asleep during feedings due to physical closeness with their caregiver. “The rhythmic motion of nursing or bottle-feeding can [also] be very soothing and help lull a baby to sleep,” says Bock. It mimics the sensations baby felt in the womb, she adds.

Should You Wake a Newborn That Falls Asleep While Nursing?

This depends on how old and big baby is, Madden says. “If you’re breastfeeding a newborn, they fall asleep shortly after latching on, and it’s clear they’ve not gotten very much milk during a feeding session, then I recommend waking them up to relatch on and try again.” In fact, you may have to do this a few times as both you and baby get the hang of breastfeeding, especially for babies born prematurely or with a lower birth weight. However, as baby gets older, if they’re getting enough milk, gaining enough weight and producing enough wet diapers daily, there’s no need to wake them up, Bock says.

Will baby get gassy if they fall asleep while nursing?

Worried about baby getting gassy if they fall asleep during a feeding? Symptoms of gas or reflux will largely be dependent on your baby. That said, Bock breaks down a few ways to help alleviate any gastric discomfort:

• Burp baby before they sleep, even if you need to gently rouse them
• Hold baby upright for around 20 minutes after their feed to prevent reflux
• Make sure baby’s head is higher than their stomach while feeding (and try feeding them more upright rather than lying baby down)
• Offer smaller, more frequent feedings to help manage symptoms
• If bottle-feeding, consider changing your bottle to a nipple flow that works better for baby or to an anti-gas option

“Every baby is different, so it’s important to monitor baby and consult with a pediatrician should you have concerns about reflux or gassiness,” Bock says.

How to Keep an Infant Awake During Breastfeeding

If baby’s falling asleep while eating before they’re full, you’ll need to try some tactics to wake them up (and keep them awake). Below, how to keep a newborn awake while breastfeeding:

• Check your latch: “A baby falling asleep early in feedings can be a sign of a shallow latch, which causes a milk flow so slow that baby quickly loses interest,” explains Nancy Mohrbacher, IBCLC, FILCA, a board-certified lactation consultant in the Chicago area. To solve the problem, ensure baby has a deep and wide latch around the areola of the breast. “For bottle-fed babies, ensure that the nipple flow is appropriate, as a flow that’s too slow will cause sleepiness,” Bock adds.

• Skin-to-skin contact: If baby’s latch is fine, but they still seem sleepy, try removing your shirt and bra and baby’s clothes (leave their diaper on!) and hold them skin-to-skin on your chest. “This may [rouse] baby enough to keep them nursing,” Mohrbacher suggests.

• Stimulate baby: This could include “tickling baby’s feet, stroking their legs or jiggling their arms and legs to keep them awake and sucking,” Mohrbacher says. Or, you may try removing a layer of baby’s clothing, Madden suggests. If all else doesn’t work, try talking and singing to baby during feeds, Bock adds.

• Switch sides while nursing: Both Bock and Mohrbacher recommend this when baby starts to doze off while nursing. Take them off the breast, stimulate them in some way (hold them upright, gently tickle their feet, burp them, etc.) and then have the latch on to the other breast.

• Try breast compressions: Mohrbacher says that this method involves using your hands to compress your breast in an effort to get more milk into baby’s mouth more readily.

• Feed in a brightly lit environment: If you’re trying to keep baby awake, feeding them somewhere with lots of light may help, Bock says.

• Change baby’s diaper: Doing this before starting a feed can help ensure baby’s awake, Madden says, and will help keep them from falling asleep too soon into their feeding session.

When to Reach Out to Your Provider

When it comes to baby falling asleep while eating, it can be hard to tell what’s normal and what’s not—especially since eating and sleeping are pretty much the only things babies do for a while. Luckily, there are a few signs that will clue you in to reach out to your pediatrician. These include:

• Concerns over baby’s weight
• Persistent gassiness or reflux
• Baby not being able to wake to feed
• Needing to feed very frequently
• Yellowing of baby’s eyes or skin (this could be due to jaundice, which can also make baby excessively sleepy)
• Behavioral or developmental concerns

You’ll also want to reach out to your pediatrician if baby’s showing signs of dehydration. During the first few days, babies usually pee and poop their age if they’re feeding well (i.e. a one-day-old baby will have one wet diaper and one bowel movement, and a 3-day-old baby will have three wet diapers and three bowel movements, etc.). However, if baby’s dehydrated they won’t have enough wet and dirty diapers. They may also be lethargic and have sunken fontanelles, as well as decreased tears while crying.

If baby’s constantly falling asleep during their feeds, it can be hard to know if they’re getting enough milk—or sleep. Hang in there. “This is a normal part of the process during the first few weeks after giving birth. It will get easier!” Madden assures. Bock echoes this, adding that it’s important to cherish these months: “Have fun with your new bundle of joy and be present.”

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.