How to Keep Your Baby Awake During Breastfeeding

Many babies will fall asleep during a breastfeeding session, especially in the first months. One problem with babies falling asleep during their feeding is often times they have not had enough to eat. As a result when you lay them down to sleep they may wake up shortly after looking to continue the feeding.

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When babies fall asleep it provides mom with some relief and time. Time that they can use for themselves whether it be to also get a little sleep, have something to eat, or do chores around the home. It is so important to make sure that baby's tummy is full so that he can sleep well and allow mom this little time.

The following  are some tips you can follow to keep your baby awake during feeding.

1. Have skin to skin contact with your baby. This will help to stimulate your baby allowing him to take in more milk. Try removing your top, keeping your nursing bra and dressing baby down to a diaper to make skin to skin contact simply. 

2. Switch breast as soon as baby starts getting drowsy and closing his eyes.

3. Change baby's diaper. Removing baby's diaper will expose even more skin to air which will most likely cause him to wake up, especially if he is still hungry.

4. Burp him. Babies need to be burped anyway as they tend to swallow air during feedings. Letting him sleep without releasing gas may cause disturbances during sleep and end in a baby waking up still tired. The best way to do this is by supporting baby in an upright sitting position on your lap. This method is less sleep inducing that  burping baby over your shoulder.

5. Massage the top of your baby's head (crown). Using your fingertips massage gently in a circular motion. This will help keep him stimulated.

6. Tickle baby's feet. Tickle under the feet and around his toes as these are very sensitive areas.

7. Place baby in an upright position. It will be more difficult for him to sleep this way.

8. Blow a little air on his cheeks. A little light air is all that is needed.

9. Place a damp cloth on his forehead. Cloth does not have to be cold. Baby will become aroused from sleep just from the touch of a slightly wet cloth.

10. Unlatch baby from the breast and lay him down next to you. Wait a few seconds and if he has not finished his feeding be sure he will wake up quickly wanting more. Do this instead of placing him directing in his place of sleep.

Have you breastfeed a baby who slept during feeding only to wake up minutes after placing down in his bed?