You finally get your little bundle of joy home, ready to settle into parenthood. But suddenly, you realize your newborn is feeding every hour and not sleeping! If you’re nodding your head right now, welcome to the club. You’re not alone, and while it may feel overwhelming, there’s light at the end of the tunnel.
Newborns tend to follow their own schedules, which often includes frequent feedings and sleepless nights. It’s not uncommon for new parents to wonder, “Is this normal? Will I ever sleep again?” The short answer is yes, it’s normal, and yes, you will sleep again (eventually)! But for now, let’s dive into why this is happening and how to cope with it.
Why Is My Newborn Feeding Every Hour?
Frequent feeding, also known as cluster feeding, is a behavior many newborns exhibit. There are a few reasons why your baby may want to nurse every hour:
1. Growth Spurts: Babies go through several growth spurts, especially in their first few weeks. During these periods, they need more nourishment to fuel their rapidly growing bodies, which leads to more frequent feedings.
2. Building Up Supply: If you’re breastfeeding, your baby might be helping to build up your milk supply. The more they feed, the more your body produces.
3. Comfort: Sometimes babies don’t just feed for hunger—they also nurse for comfort. It’s their way of soothing themselves, and their frequent feeding might be a sign they are looking for that sense of security.
4. Smaller Tummies: Remember, your baby’s tummy is tiny—about the size of a cherry at birth! This means they can only hold small amounts of milk at a time and need to feed often.
Did you know that a newborn’s stomach grows rapidly during the first few weeks? By the end of the first week, it’s the size of an apricot, and by the end of the first month, it’s about the size of a large egg!
Is It Normal That My Baby Isn’t Sleeping?
Absolutely. In the first few weeks of life, newborns typically sleep for short periods and wake often, sometimes as frequently as every hour. Their sleep cycles are different from adults, and they need to wake frequently to eat. However, this can be exhausting for new parents, leaving you wondering if your baby will ever sleep for longer stretches.
Newborn Sleep Patterns: Babies sleep in short cycles, and they often wake to feed. Their sleep isn’t as deep as that of adults because they spend a lot of time in what’s called REM sleep (rapid eye movement), which is a lighter sleep. This phase of sleep is crucial for brain development but can lead to more frequent wake-ups.
How to Cope with Frequent Feeding and Little Sleep
While this stage can be tough, there are ways to cope with your baby’s frequent feedings and sleepless nights. Here are some tips to help you survive this phase:
1. Embrace Baby Sleep Music
One of the best tools you can use to create a calming atmosphere for your baby is baby sleep music. Soft, gentle lullabies or calming instrumental music can help your baby relax and prepare for sleep. The soothing melodies provide a peaceful environment, helping your baby transition from feeding to sleeping more easily.
Infant sleep music can also help signal to your baby that it’s time to wind down. Play the same music each time you put your baby down for a nap or bedtime. Over time, they’ll start to associate the music with sleep, making it easier for them to fall asleep on their own.
Joke Alert: Why do babies love music so much? Because they can feel the beat!
2. Create a Cozy Sleep Environment
A calm, quiet, and dimly lit environment can make a world of difference when it comes to helping your baby sleep better. Consider investing in some blackout curtains to block out light during daytime naps, and use a white noise machine or sleep time music for kids to drown out any background noise that might wake your baby.
Keep the room at a comfortable temperature—not too hot or too cold—and swaddle your baby in a soft blanket to give them that snug feeling they love.
3. Take Naps When Your Baby Naps
It may sound cliché, but one of the best pieces of advice for new parents is to nap when your baby naps. Since your baby is feeding frequently and not sleeping for long stretches, you’ll need to grab rest when you can. Even short naps can help recharge your batteries.
4. Consider Bottle-Feeding for Nighttime Help
If you’re breastfeeding, consider pumping and having your partner take over a nighttime feeding so you can get a longer stretch of sleep. Having someone else handle one or two of the nighttime feedings can make a huge difference in your energy levels the next day.
5. Keep Feeding Short and Sweet
If your baby is feeding every hour and you’re exhausted, try to keep nighttime feedings as quiet and calm as possible. Dim the lights, keep noise to a minimum, and avoid any stimulating activities during these late-night sessions. The goal is to feed your baby quickly and calmly, then get them back to sleep as soon as possible.
What to Watch for with Frequent Feeding
While frequent feeding is usually normal, there are a few signs to watch for that could indicate something else is going on. If your baby is feeding every hour and seems overly fussy, isn’t gaining weight, or has trouble latching, it may be a good idea to consult with a pediatrician or lactation consultant.
About Sukoonify
At Sukoonify, we understand the importance of sleep, not just for babies but for parents too! That’s why we’ve created specially curated playlists on Spotify to help your little one drift off peacefully. Our music includes baby sleep music, sleep time music for kids, and infant sleep music that is designed to calm and soothe your baby, helping them transition from feeding to sleep with ease.
Our playlists are easy to access and feature a range of calming melodies to suit babies of all ages. By incorporating Sukoonify’s music into your baby’s routine, you can help them (and yourself) get the restful sleep you both need.
Final Thoughts: Surviving Sleepless Nights
If your newborn is feeding every hour and not sleeping, it’s completely normal—though understandably exhausting. The key to surviving this phase is patience, a good support system, and a few tricks up your sleeve, like calming music and a cozy sleep environment.
Remember, this phase won’t last forever, and soon enough, your baby will be sleeping for longer stretches. In the meantime, take naps when you can, lean on your partner for help, and consider using tools like infant sleep music to create a peaceful bedtime routine. Hang in there—you’ve got this!
Did you know that babies spend around 16-17 hours a day sleeping during their first few weeks of life? Now, if only those hours weren’t so spread out!
Stay patient, keep the baby sleep music playing, and before you know it, you’ll be getting longer stretches of sleep too.
FAQs
Is it normal for a newborn to feed every hour?
Yes, it's normal for newborns to feed every hour, especially during growth spurts or when building up milk supply. Frequent feeding is called cluster feeding and is common.
Why won't my newborn sleep after feeding?
Newborns may not sleep after feeding due to discomfort, gas, or needing more milk. Sometimes, they nurse for comfort and may require soothing to transition to sleep.
What if baby doesn't burp and falls asleep?
If your baby falls asleep without burping, it’s usually fine. Try to burp them gently, but if they seem comfortable, let them sleep and monitor for discomfort.
Is it normal for babies to feed constantly and not sleep?
Yes, it’s normal for babies to feed constantly, especially during growth spurts. Frequent feeding helps growth and development, but it can disrupt sleep patterns temporarily.
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