Why Are Full Daytime Feedings Essential for Better Nighttime Sleep for Newborns?
MBF Newborn Specialist |
February 27, 2024
Are you struggling to get your newborn to sleep for longer stretches at night? One key aspect that many parents overlook when it comes to improving their baby’s sleep is ensuring full daytime feedings. Let’s explore why full daytime feedings are essential for better nighttime sleep for newborn babies.
Why Does My Baby Eat So Often?
Newborn babies have small stomachs and must feed frequently, typically every 2-3 hours, day and night. This frequent feeding pattern is essential for their growth and development, as breast milk or formula provides the necessary nutrients for their tiny bodies. Don’t worry, this doesn’t last forever!Why Do Full Daytime Feedings Matter So Much?
By ensuring your newborn receives full feedings during the day, you’re helping them establish a feeding routine that meets their nutritional and caloric needs. Babies who are adequately fed during the day are less likely to wake up frequently at night due to hunger and will sleep for longer periods of time. Full daytime feedings can help regulate your baby’s circadian rhythms, the internal clock that regulates sleep-wake cycles. When babies receive consistent and sufficient feedings during the day, it helps establish a pattern of wakefulness during daylight hours and longer periods of sleep at night. When babies associate feeding with daytime and sleeping with nighttime, it helps them develop healthy sleep associations. Full daytime feedings reinforce the idea that daytime is for eating and being awake, while nighttime is for sleeping, leading to more extended periods of restful sleep at night.How Do I Implement Full Daytime Feedings?
- Learn to recognize your baby’s hunger cues, such as rooting, sucking on fists, or becoming fussy, and respond promptly by offering a feeding
- Create a calm and soothing environment for daily feeding sessions to help your baby relax and focus on eating
- If your baby falls asleep while feeding and has not finished a complete feed, you may need to gently wake them. Try burping them, unzipping their clothing, or changing their diaper. Then continue feeding them.
- Jot down the time the feeding session began so you know approximately what time the next feeding will be by adding 2 to 3 hours.
In conclusion, full daytime feedings play a crucial role in promoting better nighttime sleep for newborns. By ensuring your baby receives sufficient nutrition during the day, you’re helping them establish healthy sleep patterns and reduce the likelihood of nighttime awakenings due to hunger. With consistent effort and patience, you can help your newborn enjoy longer stretches of peaceful sleep at night.