What if newborn won't wake up to feed?

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

If you are at home and baby still will not wake up to feed and has missed 2 feedings, pump your breasts and feed baby your pumped milk or formula with a slow flow nipple. (at home give ½ to 1.5 oz range = 15-45ml). Call your baby's doctor & report this if it continues for 2 or more feedings.
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Is it OK not to wake up baby for feeding?

Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Once your newborn establishes a pattern of weight gain and reaches the birth-weight milestone, however, it's generally OK to wait for feedings until he or she wakes up. Most newborns need eight to 12 feedings a day — about one feeding every two to three hours.
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How long should a newborn sleep without feeding?

Most infants can sleep for 6–8 hours without a feed by the age of 6 months. Once they are 9 months old, most infants can sleep for 11–12 hours without a feed. It can be helpful to start to create a routine for bedtime and feeds early. Remember that every infant is different, so be as flexible as possible.
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Should I force my newborn to feed?

Tip #5: Don't force your baby to feed

Don't push your baby by the head or try to force them to feed as this could put them off completely.
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How to Wake a Sleepy Baby to Eat



Can a newborn go 7 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.
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Why is my newborn sleeping so much and not eating?

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. As a result, they might wake up often to eat.
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Is it OK for my newborn to sleep more than 4 hours?

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.
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Can a newborn sleep too much?

Can a baby sleep too much? Yes, a baby can sleep too much, whether she's a newborn or an older baby. But in general, a newborn who sleeps all day is more of a potential concern than an older baby who's sleeping too much, which typically only happens when she's sick or has had an extra busy day.
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How long can newborns go without milk?

"I think the evolutionary basis of that is that if the mother had a difficult birth and passed out and couldn't recover and feed the baby for a little while, the baby would be OK. "They have enough to survive for the 24 to 48 hours without much in the way of feeding.
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Should I be worried if my newborn sleeps too much?

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.
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What is lethargy newborn?

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.
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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'.
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Can my newborn sleep for 6 hours?

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.
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When should I worry about my baby not eating?

If your baby is not eating and it's becoming a pattern, he may need more help. If baby is losing or not gaining weight, appears dehydrated, or is regressing to the bottle and not regaining interest in eating food, then it's time to see the doctor.
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When should I be concerned about my newborn?

Rectal temperature below 97.8°F (36.5°C) Any breathing problems, like difficulty breathing or fast breathing. Other signs of not getting enough oxygen, like blue lips, nose, or fingernails. Extreme tiredness or drowsiness, difficulty waking.
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How do I know what's wrong with my newborn?

The warning signs below will help you discern when something is amiss, and will help you know when and how to take action.
  1. Persistent Crying or Irritability. ...
  2. Fever. ...
  3. Listlessness or Lethargy. ...
  4. Poor Appetite. ...
  5. Umbilical Cord Infection. ...
  6. Diarrhea and/or Vomiting. ...
  7. Irregular Stools. ...
  8. Urination.
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How do I wake up my newborn?

Touch your baby: Ease your child out of their sleepy state by tickling their feet or gently rubbing their arms, legs, and back. Talk to your child: Just hearing your voice might be enough to wake your baby. Unwrap your baby: Remove your child's blankets and even undress them so that they aren't so warm and comfortable.
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Why is my newborn not drinking milk?

The following reasons are some of the most common things to look out for if your baby refuses the bottle: Your baby was recently weaned and wants to continue breastfeeding. Your baby isn't hungry enough to want feeding. Your baby is feeling sick, colicky, or otherwise unwell enough to feed.
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Is a 10 minute feed long enough for a newborn?

How Long Does Nursing Take? Newborns may nurse for up to 20 minutes or longer on one or both breasts. As babies get older and more skilled at breastfeeding, they may take about 5–10 minutes on each side.
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What happens if you don't feed newborn every 3 hours?

Baby needs to gain weight.

Not eating enough in the first few days can also lead to complications linked to jaundice and low blood sugar.
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Can a newborn empty a breast in 5 minutes?

By the time a baby is 3 to 4 months old, they are breastfeeding, gaining weight, and growing well. It may only take your baby about 5 to 10 minutes to empty the breast and get all the milk they need.
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What do I do if my baby falls asleep while breastfeeding?

Here are a few favorites.
  1. Tip 1: Switch sides. If your baby falls asleep frequently while nursing, you can try a technique called switch nursing. ...
  2. Tip 2: Compression. ...
  3. Tip 3: Strip your baby down to their diaper. ...
  4. Tip 4: Tickle those toes! ...
  5. Tip 5: Check the latch. ...
  6. Tip 6: Get to skin-to-skin.
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What should I do if my baby doesn't want to drink milk?

If your baby still refuses, then give an extra course of something made with milk, such as cereal, yoghurt, rice pudding, custard, or a milky dessert. At the end of the meal, see if your baby is thirsty by offering them a bottle or a cup of cooled, boiled water.
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