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What to do when your newborn doesn’t wake up on their own to start the day or be fed
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If you’ve ever had someone tell you “Never wake a sleeping baby,” you may wonder why this article’s even being written. The reality is that there are multiple reasons you might have to rouse your little bundle of joy, even if they’re not too thrilled with the idea. When it comes to things like feedings or getting your newborn on a more consistent sleep schedule, you can do plenty of things to gently coax them into the waking world. Keep reading for these tips and more about how to handle a stubbornly sleepy baby.
Things You Should Know
- Wake your baby up gently by stroking their feet and neck, rubbing their back, and talking or singing to them softly.
- Undress your baby or change their diaper. The motion and cool air will help them wake up.
- Place your baby on your bare chest and undress them so that they get skin-to-skin contact. This is especially helpful for feeding.
- Talk to your pediatrician immediately if your baby is particularly hard to wake up even after trying all of these methods, or if they’re sleeping more than normal.
Steps
Expert Q&A
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QuestionHow do I start a sleep routine with my baby?Julie Wright is a Marriage and Family Therapist and the co-founder of The Happy Sleeper, which offers sleep consulting and online baby sleep classes. Julie is a licensed psychotherapist specializing in babies, children, and their parents, and the co-author of two best selling parenting books (The Happy Sleeper and Now Say This) published by Penguin Random House. She created the popular Wright Mommy, Daddy and Me program in Los Angeles, California, which provides support and learning for new parents. Julie's work has been mentioned in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and NPR. Julie received her training at the Cedars Sinai Early Childhood Center.Start helping your baby wind down a full hour before their bedtime—this means that you're beginning to send cues to your child's internal clock and physiology that the sun is starting to set and it's time to wind down. This can involve things like turning off bright lights and closing the blinds. Then, move into the child's room and engage in pleasurable activities like reading, singing, and child-led playtime. End the routine with a little chat—for young babies, this could be saying "good night" to different things in the room. Write down this routine and follow it step-by-step each night. In addition to a regular bedtime, it'll really help them fall asleep easily!
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Warnings
- If your baby is particularly hard to wake up or if they’re sleeping more than normal, call your doctor immediately.Thanks
- Talk to your pediatrician about any concerns you may have about your baby, even if you suspect it’s nothing.Thanks
- Sleeping too deeply or for a long period of time puts a newborn at a greater risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). [21] X Research sourceThanks
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References
- ↑ https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/resources/wake-my-baby
- ↑ https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/resources/wake-my-baby
- ↑ https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/resources/skin-skin-contact
- ↑ https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD003519.pub4/full
- ↑ https://news.sanfordhealth.org/childrens/the-importance-of-skin-to-skin-after-delivery-you-should-know/
- ↑ https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/resources/wake-my-baby
- ↑ https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/resources/wake-my-baby
- ↑ https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/resources/wake-my-baby
- ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/breastfeed-sleep.html
- ↑ https://www.laleche.org.uk/sleepy-baby-why-and-what-to-do/
- ↑ https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/resources/wake-my-baby
- ↑ https://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/resources/wake-my-baby
- ↑ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/expert-answers/newborn/faq-20057752
- ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/sleepnewborn.html
- ↑ https://www.oviahealth.com/guide/102003/should-you-ever-wake-sleeping-baby/
- ↑ https://www.cnn.com/2017/10/30/health/baby-sleep-myths/index.html
- ↑ https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=infant-sleep-90-P02237
- ↑ https://www.dignityhealth.org/articles/does-your-child-have-trouble-waking-up-heres-how-to-help
- ↑ https://doh.wa.gov/sites/default/files/legacy/Documents/Pubs//961-983-HealthySleepForBabies.pdf
- ↑ https://www.unitypoint.org/waterloo/sleepy-baby-or-refuses-to-eat.aspx
- ↑ https://doh.wa.gov/sites/default/files/legacy/Documents/Pubs//961-983-HealthySleepForBabies.pdf
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