Although we’ve all heard the advice that you should never wake a sleeping baby, it turns out it’s not quite so simple. In fact, there are some instances where the little extra crankiness that you might encounter is worth it, especially if your baby’s a newborn.
In this article, we’ll cover when you should wake a sleeping baby and when you should just let them be. For when you do have to wake your little one up, we’ll also share some expert tips on how to best do so.
Before we get started, here’s an important note: Always consult your pediatrician before implementing any sleep or feeding routines to make sure your baby stays happy and healthy!
Key Takeaways
Table of contents
- When should you wake your sleeping baby?
- When should you avoid waking your sleeping baby?
- The best ways to wake a baby
When should you wake your sleeping baby?
There are certain times when waking a sleeping baby is better than just letting them snooze. Let’s take a look.
If they’re asleep in a non-safe sleep space
First and foremost, if your baby has nodded off in a car seat, lounger, swing, or any other space that’s not sleep-safe, move them to a safe space ASAP and don’t worry about waking them up. The most important thing is that your little one snoozes in a safe spot!
To maintain your newborn’s feeding schedule
The first reason you’d bring your baby back from dreamland is if it’s time to eat. Newborns must be fed often, thanks to their tiny stomachs and quick digestion. They need their nutrient-packed calories for energy, growth, and development.
When it’s time to feed your newborn, the shut-eye can wait!
If they’ve been sleeping too long
You don’t want your baby to oversleep because too much sleep during the day can throw off their overall sleep schedule. This is especially true in the first few weeks.
Naps can be kept to about two hours at a time to prevent nighttime sleep woes. For nighttime sleep, it’s OK to let your little one snooze a bit more, about four to five hours at a time.
If your baby is sick
If your baby is feeling under the weather, nutrition and hydration are even more important than usual. Sleep will help them get better, but be sure to wake them every three to four hours for a feeding.
And if it’s getting close to their bedtime, wake them up from their nap so it doesn’t interfere with a good night’s sleep.
To avoid night/day confusion
When your little one is about two weeks old, you’ll want to wake them up if their daytime naps stretch too long so they don’t get confused between night and day. Sleeping too much during the day means they won’t get enough daytime nutrition, which will interfere with nighttime sleep.
Waking them up and exposing them to daylight early in the day can help set their internal clock. At night, be sure to keep any feedings or diaper changes as quiet and low-key as possible to help them realize it’s time to sleep.
If you need to adjust their sleep pattern
If you have a conflict, like an early meeting, or if you’re trying to maintain their bedtime routine, it’s OK to wake your baby up to shift their sleep schedule. Just be sure to keep age-appropriate wake windows intact.
When should you avoid waking your sleeping baby?
Now that we know when it’s OK to wake up your little snoozer, let’s look at other situations where the answer to "should I wake a sleeping baby” is a resounding “no!”
If your baby’s older and healthy
Once your doctor gives the green light that your baby is gaining weight well and overall healthy, it’s fine to let your little one sleep. Your baby grows and develops as they sleep, and as long as there are no concerns about their weight, nutrition, or health, let your baby snore away.
If they’re sleeping deeply
It’s also good to avoid waking your little one if they’re in a deep sleep. This being said, if it’s a question of nutrition, weight gain, or health concerns, the need to feed trumps their shuteye.
If you want baby to get a restful sleep on the regular, it’s important to invest in a quality mattress. Newton’s Original, Essential, and Waterproof Mattresses are ultra-breathable and washable from cover to core.
Top your Newton mattress with an organic fitted sheet, and your baby’s ready for a trip to dreamland!
The best ways to wake a baby
Now you know when you should wake a sleeping baby and when you shouldn’t. If you have to do it, there are ways to make it easier on both you and your baby. Here are some expert tips on how best to wake your little one.
Touch your baby gently.
Wake your baby up gently by touching their cheeks, hands, or feet. You could also lightly massage their shoulder or back.
Pull up the blinds or turn on the lights.
Another way to wake your little one up is by filling the room with daylight. Pull up the blinds or open the curtains and let Mother Nature do the rest.
If you’re using the room light instead, simply flip the switch to wake your baby. But if the lights are on a dimmer, you might want to turn it on in stages, allowing the light to get progressively brighter.
Turn off the sound machine.
Your baby has snoozed for the last few hours with a sound machine on to keep them from being distracted by any noises around them. Turn off that noise and they’re left with quiet, which, somewhat counterintuitively, is likely to wake them up.
Speak softly.
Speaking softly to your baby or singing a quiet song is a lovely way to stir your baby from sleep. Your voice, after all, is baby’s very favorite sound.
Change your baby’s diaper.
After a good sleep, your baby is likely in need of a diaper change. When you trade their dirty diaper for a fresh one, the change in temperature is likely to wake them up.
Unswaddle or undress them.
Similarly, if you unswaddle your little one or change their clothes, the cooler temperature will cause them to open an eye to see what’s going on. Let them know it’s time for food and a little fun!
Restful sleep with Newton
Now you know the answer to “should wake a sleeping baby” is both yes and no, depending on the circumstance. For the littlest babies who need to clock their calories, waking them up to maintain their feeding schedule is crucial. For older, healthy babies, it’s OK to let them sleep.
When it’s time for shuteye, a firm and breathable crib mattress is key. Newton’s Original, Essential, and Waterproof Mattresses are made with Wovenaire® technology and are washable from cover to core.
For a safe and restful sleep, choose Newton. Your baby’s dreams await.
Frequently asked questions
How much sleep does a newborn need?
Newborns generally sleep from 16 to 18 hours out of every 24 hours, though the exact number of hours can be different between children. At that young age, a baby will only sleep one to two hours at a time. Then, they’ll wake up (or need to be woken up) to feed.
What is 30-60-90?
Some experts use “30-60-90” to describe how baby sleep cycles mature over time. Newborns tend to sleep in short 30 to 45-minute bursts, while older babies may move toward 60-minute cycles. Toddlers may eventually reach 90-minute sleep cycles, similar to adults.
What is the 5-3-3 method for babies' sleep?
The 5-3-3 method is a sleep guideline that helps parents manage night wakings. This applies to babies around four to six months old and is meant to encourage them to self-soothe. By setting specific times that you will feed them, the 5-3-3 method helps to build a nighttime routine.
Essentially, after your baby falls asleep for the night, you don’t feed them until five hours have passed, even if they wake up earlier than that. Then, once you’ve fed them, you wait another three hours until the next feeding, and another three hours until the feeding after that.
Remember that this is simply a method some parents use. Always check with your baby’s pediatrician before implementing any kind of sleep or feeding schedule.
