Should you wake your baby to feed?

Baby is fast asleep… and it's time for their bottle or feed. So, should you wake them up to eat, or let them sleep? First, ask yourself one question: would you like to be woken in the middle of the night to eat a nice meal? Not so sure… And what if it were the same for baby? It's a question almost all new parents ask, especially in the first few weeks. Good news: in most cases, the answer is simple. I'll explain what paediatricians say, the special cases, and how to wake baby gently when it's necessary.

As a general rule, let baby sleep

Paediatricians are fairly clear on this point. As the Association Française de Pédiatrie Ambulatoire points out on sante.fr, “in general, it is not advisable to wake a sleeping newborn”.

Why? Quite simply because a healthy baby knows how to let you know when they’re hungry. In the first few months, they sleep a lot – between 14 and 17 hours a day according to Santé publique France – often in stretches of 2 to 4 hours. So their sleep is part of their development. Rather than watching the clock, it’s better to watch baby: they are the one who sets the pace.

When you sometimes need to wake baby

However, there are situations where healthcare professionals ask you to wake baby to feed them. This is the case, for example, if baby was born prematurely, if they are ill or if they are not gaining enough weight. Your doctor may then ask you to wake them up to feed.

In these cases, there’s just one rule: follow the advice of the maternity unit, your midwife or your paediatrician. They are the ones who know your baby, their weight and their growth curve. And if you have the slightest doubt, never hesitate to ask them.

How can you tell baby is hungry?

Even before crying, baby often sends little signals: they wriggle, turn their head, bring their hands to their mouth or make sucking movements. Crying is usually their last signal. So the earlier you spot these little signs, the calmer the breastfeed or bottle feed will be.

To recognise all these signs, read our article How can you tell if baby is hungry?.

How can you wake baby gently?

If you need to wake baby, do it very gently. Paediatricians suggest, for example, leaving the door open, making a little noise or talking to them. You can also switch on a dim light, pick them up or take off their sleeping bag.

And what if they stay fast asleep? Don't panic! Come back a few minutes later: baby will probably be in a lighter phase of sleep by then, and will wake up more easily.

👉 And when baby wakes up in the middle of the night to feed, a night light gives just enough light to feed them without waking them fully. Remember to slip one into your hospital bag, too: it will save you switching on the harsh ceiling lights in the room! And for breastfeeding, a nursing pillow takes the strain off your back and arms. Ours are made by Coupey.

And as baby grows?

Little by little, baby learns the difference between day and night. In fact, most babies “sleep through the night” at around 3-4 months, according to Santé publique France. Then, from around 4 months, you can start introducing daytime landmarks, with slightly more regular mealtimes, without being too rigid.

Your questions

Should you wake baby at night for a bottle?

Generally not, if they are healthy and gaining weight well. However, always follow the advice of your paediatrician or midwife if it is different.

My baby falls asleep while feeding, what should I do?

This is very common in newborns. You can stimulate them gently by talking to them or changing their position. If it keeps happening and they are gaining little weight, talk to your midwife or paediatrician.

At what age do babies sleep through the night?

Most babies sleep through the night at around 3-4 months, but every baby has their own rhythm.

Dylan
Proud dad of three little ones and founder of Premiers Moments. Together with the whole team, I share our parenting tips here to support you, from pregnancy through your child's first years.