How to Keep Baby Awake While Breastfeeding

New mothers have a lot to learn. Each baby is different and requires different techniques for each aspect of their growth and development. One common obstacle new breastfeeding moms face is keeping their little one awake to eat. The comforting and soothing connection with mommy makes it easy for baby to fall asleep, often hindering his food intake. Below are some steps to help keep baby awake while your breastfeeding.

Instructions

1

Remove your baby's clothes before breastfeeding. This will keep her cool and it's harder to sleep when she's not warm and cozy.

2

Change your baby's diaper before breastfeeding, a technique that wakes baby up very well. If he still falls asleep, change his diaper again before switching breasts.

3

Stroke your baby's cheek and lips with your nipple. This stimulates her rooting (searching for the nipple) reflex.

4

Pretend to pull your nipple out of your baby's mouth, or stick your finger between your nipple and the baby's mouth to break the latch. The constant sucking is what tends to put baby to sleep, so taking away the nipple will cause him to start sucking hard again to keep it in place.

5

Touch your baby's ear or stroke her arms or legs. These touches will distract from the comatose state that she is in and help her to again focus on the task at hand.

6

Sing loudly to your baby, without yelling, of course. The quiet atmosphere helps to lullaby him to sleep, so a song that is loud and has a quick tempo may disrupt that overly soothing environment.

7

Place a cool washcloth on your baby's belly, leg or forehead. The cool sensation is bound to wake her up.