Having an infant can be difficult, especially when it comes to breastfeeding. Many mothers face the daunting task of ensuring their infant receives enough milk while at the breast without being able to measure anything. And when the baby gets sleepy, this challenge takes a turn. Read through our best tips for breastfeeding a sleepy baby to gain more confidence in your abilities.

Stimulate Your Baby Before Feeding

One of the best ways to make sure your baby is alert and ready to nurse is by stimulating them before you begin. You can help make them more alert in a few different ways, such as gently stroking their face or lightly tickling their feet with a cloth or finger.

You may even want to sing softly or talk soothingly to your little one. The key is to get them to wake up just enough that they can latch on and feed properly.

Feed Your Baby More Frequently

It’s important to keep in mind that a sleepy baby is usually a hungry one. If you’re struggling to get your infant to stay awake during a session, try feeding them more often throughout the day.

This tip can ensure their tummy stays full and help prevent them from sleeping during mealtimes. A sleepy baby is one of the most common challenges breastfeeding mothers face, but scattering feeds into smaller sessions can help.

Change Positions Often

If your baby seems to be losing interest or is having trouble staying awake, try changing the position you feed in. This measure may help stimulate your little one, as it gives them something new to focus on. The traditional cradling position is always a good starting point. Still, you can also try feeding while lying down or using other variations such as cross-cradle, football hold, or a reclined position.

Offer Skin-to-Skin Contact

Skin-to-skin contact helps your baby remain alert and ready for a good feeding session. This type of contact helps your infant feel safe, secure, and stimulated.

You can also use this time to bond and talk softly to your little one in between feeds to ensure they remain alert. If they drift off into a slumber while feeding with skin-to-skin, you can unlatch with your pinky finger and attempt to relatch on the opposite side.

Take Breaks During Feeds

One of the best tips for breastfeeding a sleepy baby is to take regular breaks throughout the feeding session. Give your baby a chance to rest while also giving yourself time to encourage them to stay awake. You can do this by talking, singing, or gently rubbing their back or head. If they grow frustrated by the interruptions, you can resort to scattering your feeds or continuing the session once they’re calm.

Breastfeeding is an incredibly rewarding feat. Don’t give up if your baby struggles here and there. Always consult a trained IBCLC if you’re concerns begin to grow with each feed.

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