Why is it hard to wake my newborn?

During deep sleep, babies are very still and do not move much. Their breathing becomes more regular. They are harder to wake up. They may still make sucking movements and might startle, but this will not wake them.

Is it normal for a newborn to be difficult to wake up?

While it is true that newborns are known to be challenging to wake up at times, you should also be aware that babies who are not easily aroused or responsive despite their parents' best efforts need medical attention.

What do I do if my newborn won't wake up?

If your baby doesn't wake up to eat, try being a bit more forceful with your nudges. Sing or talk a bit more loudly when you wake him, undress him completely or try taking him into another room to feed him, as a change of venue can sometimes work wonders.

Why is my newborn sleeping so much?

Once born, your baby might sleep for most of the day. Newborns have small stomachs, so they get full quickly. Whether you're breast-feeding or formula-feeding, being held close and comfortably enhances their sleepiness. This can cause them to fall asleep before they're full.

How long can a newborn go without waking up?

Generally, newborns sleep about 8 to 9 hours in the daytime and about 8 hours at night. But they may not sleep more than 1 to 2 hours at a time. Most babies don't start sleeping through the night (6 to 8 hours) without waking until they are about 3 months old, or until they weigh 12 to 13 pounds.

How to Wake a Sleepy Baby to Eat



Is it normal for a newborn to sleep 5 hours straight?

As a guide, many babies sleep 14-20 hours a day in the first weeks. By 3 months many are settled into a pattern of longer sleep times – perhaps 4 to 5 hours at night. When a baby sleeps about 5 hours straight, this is considered 'sleeping through the night'.

How do I know if my newborn is lethargic?

Listlessness or Lethargy

You may find that your baby seems to have little or no energy, is drowsy or sluggish, or is sleeping longer than usual. He or she may be hard to wake for feedings, and won't be alert or attentive to sounds and visual stimulation.

How sleepy is too sleepy for a newborn?

Chronic sleepiness, though, can sometimes be a cause for concern. If your newborn is regularly sleeping for more than 17 hours a day and it's interfering with her ability to eat at least eight times per day, you should let your pediatrician know.

Should I let my newborn sleep all day?

A baby occasionally sleeping for longer than usual is not a cause for concern unless there are other symptoms. In general, it is uncommon for a newborn to consistently sleep through feedings or to sleep for longer than 19 hours per day unless they are ill or are having feeding difficulties.

Can a newborn go 6 hours without eating?

As newborns get older, they'll nurse less often and have longer stretches between feedings. Newborn babies who are getting formula will likely take about 2–3 ounces every 2–4 hours. Newborns should not go more than about 4–5 hours without feeding.

How long should a newborn sleep without feeding?

The amount of sleep an infant gets at any one stretch of time is mostly ruled by hunger. Newborns will wake up and want to be fed about every three to four hours at first. Do not let your newborn sleep longer than five hours at a time in the first five to six weeks.

When should I worry about a lethargic baby?

Your young child is lethargic if she stares into space or won't smile. She won't play at all or hardly responds to you. Your child is too weak to cry or hard to wake up. These are serious symptoms.

What does a lethargic baby look like?

Listlessness or lethargy

Lethargic or listless babies appear to have little or no energy. They are drowsy or sluggish. They may also sleep longer than usual. They may be hard to wake for feedings and even when awake, are not alert or attentive to sounds and visual cues.

Are there warning signs for SIDS?

What are the symptoms? SIDS has no symptoms or warning signs. Babies who die of SIDS seem healthy before being put to bed. They show no signs of struggle and are often found in the same position as when they were placed in the bed.

Why is SIDS risk higher at 2 months?

First is the developmental window of vulnerability. SIDS is most common at 2-4 months of age when the cardiorespiratory system of all infants is in rapid transition and therefore unstable. So, all infants in this age range are at risk for dysfunction of neurological control of breathing.

How long should a newborn sleep?

Newborns should get 14–17 hours of sleep over a 24-hour period, says the National Sleep Foundation. Some newborns may sleep up to 18–19 hours a day. Newborns wake every couple of hours to eat. Breastfed babies feed often, about every 2–3 hours.

What are the danger signs in newborns?

Wheezing, grunting, or whistling sounds while breathing. Odor, drainage, or bleeding from the umbilical cord. Yellow coloring of the eyes, chest, or extremities. Crying, irritability, or twitching which does not improve with cuddling and comfort.

What are the signs of a healthy newborn?

  • #1 Baby calms at your touch and the sound of your voice.
  • #2 You're changing 8 to 10 wet diapers a day and they're gaining weight.
  • #3 Baby is quiet and attentive at least a few times each day.
  • #4 Baby turns toward new sounds and listens.
  • #5 They look at patterns, colors, and movement.


Can newborns sleep too much during the day?

Newborn babies generally sleep around 16 hours a day in total, but it could be 18 to 20 hours or more. Still, if that snoozing occurs for long stretches of time, it's natural to wonder if he's sleeping too much. “Sometimes in the first month, babies can be too sleepy,” says S.

Is it normal for a newborn to sleep 7 hours straight?

Generally, newborns sleep a total of about 8 to 9 hours in the daytime and a total of about 8 hours at night. But because they have a small stomach, they must wake every few hours to eat. Most babies don't start sleeping through the night (6 to 8 hours) until at least 3 months of age. But this can vary a lot.

Should I force my newborn to feed?

Whether you should wake a sleeping newborn for feedings depends on the baby's age, weight and overall health. Most newborns lose weight in the first few days after birth. Until your newborn regains this lost weight — usually within one to two weeks after birth — it's important to feed him or her frequently.

Is it OK for a newborn to miss a feeding?

Don't worry, baby will ask to be fed as usual as soon as his stomach feels empty again. Your baby may be constipated and appear less hungry than usual, however once this passes everything will go back to normal.

Can a baby sleep through hunger?

Your brain recognizes hunger as a priority and will stay alert until the need is met, or until you're exhausted enough that the need to sleep overrides the need to eat. So if your baby really is hungry, they usually won't go back to sleep very easily until they've been fed.

Do dehydrated babies sleep more?

Signs and symptoms of dehydration in babies

They may also be different in newborns, babies, and toddlers. Common signs of dehydration in newborns include: sunken soft spot on the top of the head. sleeping too much (more than normal for even a baby!)