Is your baby feeding every hour and not napping or sleeping well? Here’s how you can handle when your little one nurses nonstop. The key is determining if your baby is going through a growth spurt, is actually hungry, or is simply too tired to eat well, and then too hungry to sleep well. This post will teach you to get out of the habit of feeding your newborn baby every hour so they never end up napping or sleeping well.
First let me say, mama, that the newborn period can be rough.
You feel like you were a normal human just a few short weeks ago and now, well, you’re a walking milk producer and baby just won’t settle.
You’re exhausted, weary, and ready for your newborn to sleep.Â
➡️ The good news is this: with a few tweaks you can stop feeding every hour.
Here’s why your baby feeds every hour
If your baby feeds every hour, they are “snacking.”
Snacking means they are drinking enough fore milk (the less nutrient dense milk that lets down first) that they are filled up enough to doze off in mama’s arms.
Or, some babies, will stop feeding after a few minutes and just stare up at you with those Big Newborn Eyesđź‘Ľ.
Either case… baby is snacking instead of taking a full feed.
How to get your baby to stop feeding every hour
If you want your baby to take full feeds, the first thing you need to do is get them on a proper newborn breastfeeding schedule.Â
You aren’t going to become a slave to the clock, but you’re going to stop the snacking.
Instead of cluster feeding on purpose, right now, you’re cluster feeding by accident.
Fast, simple, and free strategies to implement if baby can’t get to sleep, won’t *stay* asleep, or is unsettled in general.
How do you do that?
By only feeding baby every 2.5 to 3 hours and then, at those feeds, giving baby full feeds.Â
Newborns will naturally only need to feed every 2.5 to 3 hours if they’re taking full feeds each time.
If your baby has a habit of snacking, they will not be the ones to stop it, you’ll have to.
Here’s how to keep baby awake during breastfeeding
When baby feeds for 5 minutes then nods off, you’ll need to swoop in and keep baby awake.
This will help baby get as much milk in as possible and will help them to take better naps.
- Rub baby’s cheek
- Rub baby’s hands or feet in circular motions
- Unswaddle baby (a must if you want to avoid day night confusion)
- Use a wipe or wet wash cloth to rub on baby during feeds
- Stop feeding and hold baby up, speaking to baby
- Take baby outside or somewhere that’s a change of scenery
- Make noise, get near siblings, talk to baby
- Keep the lights on
Read: Is Sleep Training a Baby Bad or Dangerous? Let’s Talk Facts!
This pack includes 20 colorful Scripture cards that include both the Bible verse and Scripture.
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The reason baby doesn’t sleep well when they feed every hour
Your little one will likely not take good daytime naps if they are not taking full feeds.
They aren’t full enough to stay drowsy and asleep as they transition sleep cycles.
When they transition from active to passive sleep (or vice versa) if they aren’t full and are hungry, instead of just continuing the nap, they’ll become fully alert and ready to feed.
And then, because they only took a short nap, when you feed again for 5 to 10 minutes, they’ll be lulled back into a sleep.
➡️ Continuing the cycle of accidental cluster feeding and an overtired baby.Â
Related Reads:
- The Biggest Baby Sleep Myth That Backfires Every Time (And Makes Over Tired Babies)
- The Ultimate Guide To Baby Sleep Times (Naps & Bedtime)
Fast, simple, and free strategies to implement if baby can’t get to sleep, won’t *stay* asleep, or is unsettled in general.
How to stop the cycle and get on a good routine
The first thing you need to do is to stop baby from snacking every hour.
Encourage full feeds.
If baby is older than 6 weeks and wants to feed after one hour, consider offering a pacifier (we use these stuffed animal ones)Â instead.
This may help baby get back to sleep for a longer nap, and will mean the next time you feed baby will be hungry enough to eat a full feed.Â
Do the best you can.
Baby has been in the snacking habit and may resist the change, but eventually you’ll see that you have a far less whiny baby on your hands when they have full tummies and are well rested.
Read: 8 Reasons You’ve Got A Whiny Baby And What To Do About It
Tried-and-true *hands on* newborn settling strategies that even the most fussy (or wide-awake-sleep-refusing) newborns cannot resist!
Learn MoreHow to get your newborn to nap better
After you make sure that baby has full feeds, you’ll want to work on the napping…
I encourage you to read my full post on baby sleep here – Foolproof Baby Sleep Tips — Routines, Habits & Strategies.
@amotherfarfromhome Follow for more tips like this one! #newmommas #momstrugglesbelike #tipsformom #mommingit #sahmom #parentcoach #mommingallday #newbornbabytips ♬ Sunroof – Nicky Youre & dazy
Fast, simple, and free strategies to implement if baby can’t get to sleep, won’t *stay* asleep, or is unsettled in general.
Here is how to approach napping with your baby:
- Newborns should only be awake for around 45 to 90 minutes at a time (including feeding!) so your newborn routine and your newborn sleep schedule should have a nap after every single feed.
- Don’t rock baby to sleep in your arms and then try to put him in the crib because when he transitions through the sleep cycles he’ll realize he’s not in your arms… and he’ll wake up early.
- Establish a basic routine with your baby. You can follow this newborn routine here or modify it slightly.
- Put your baby to sleep drowsy but awake.
- Establish some wind down routines for your little one prior to nap.
- Focus on cluster feeding in the late evening hours which will help baby top up and sleep better throughout the night.
- Identify any sleep props your baby has (things that prevent him from transitioning and sleeping well on his own) and replace those with sleep associations.
Fast, simple, and free strategies to implement if baby can’t get to sleep, won’t *stay* asleep, or is unsettled in general.
If baby is feeding every hour and not sleeping, comfort yourself with this!
I have worked with thousands of mothers via mentoring and my sleep classes and I want you to know that you’re not alone. Some infants will get on a routine naturally. Others simply will not.
They require more tweaking and testing to make sure both baby AND mama are doing okay in the postpartum period.
Frequent feeding is normal, but you aren’t a victim of it.
If your little one is feeding all the time and not sleeping, then you are likely also not sleeping. And sleep deprivation makes mamas crazy! So a possible solution is to start cluster feeding on purpose, not by accident.
Keep baby awake during feeds, as best as possible, and aim for full feeds. This will naturally lengthen the time between feeds to a more manageable situation. So you aren’t nap trapped 24/7.
Fast, simple, and free strategies to implement if baby can’t get to sleep, won’t *stay* asleep, or is unsettled in general.
Learn settling techniques for baby
If your baby is feeding every hour because he’s hungry, then you’ll feed him! That said, if you give a full feed then baby won’t be hungry every hour. It’s like eating a few blueberries every hour verses eating an acai bowl.
Nobody wants an acai bowl every hour.
If you know baby’s tummy is full, but baby is unsettled, you need some settling techniques up your sleeve that don’t involve feeding. Often moms get frazzled and their nerves are fried in this postpartum season. It’s totally normal.
It also means that when baby gristles, cries, or even seems slightly unsettled… that mom shoves baby on the breast to make the crying stop.
This is an excellent strategy to quiet the cries, thus settle your nerves. Temporarily. But, real comfort for a baby is meeting their present need. A tired baby is comforted by getting to sleep. A hungry baby is comforted by feeding.
A tired baby needs a nap, not necessarily a feeding. Your job is to be calm enough – even amidst some cries – to know the difference.
Tried-and-true *hands on* newborn settling strategies that even the most fussy (or wide-awake-sleep-refusing) newborns cannot resist!
Learn MoreRecap and FAQ… How to get baby to stop feeding every hour and start sleeping
Why does my baby feed every hour?
Short answer… because you let him. Encourage baby to take full feeds and then baby won’t need to feed sooner than 2.5 or 3 hours between feeds throughout the day.
Perhaps even less at night.
Is ten minutes a full feed?
Probably not.Â
If baby will feed for ten minutes then nap and wake up to feed around 2.5 hours later, it might be.
My daughter fed no longer than 15 minutes per feed, but she could go 3 hours between feeds so, for her, it was a full feed.
This pack includes 20 colorful Scripture cards that include both the Bible verse and Scripture.
Learn MoreWhy does my baby want to breastfeed constantly?
If your baby wants to feed constantly, but never feeds that much, then it’s likely an association between feeding and comfort.
You can create other positive associations by cuddling, singing, rocking, baby massage, and other things that will help you to feel bonded to baby (so you can enjoy baby now!) but not be open for milk business all day.
Is feeding every hour cluster feeding?
Yes and no.
Cluster feeding is generally something a breastfeeding mother does on purpose in the late afternoon early evening period (feeding every 2 hours, say) to help give baby all the nutrients he needs so he will sleep later and longer.
Feeding every hour is more like an accidental cluster feeding and if baby isn’t having full feeds then it’s more like Comfort Nursing, not cluster feeding.
Fast, simple, and free strategies to implement if baby can’t get to sleep, won’t *stay* asleep, or is unsettled in general.
About those growth spurts…
Do babies feed every hour when they are going through a growth spurt?
If your baby is going through a growth spurt they will want to feed more often.
This helps your milk supply increase. It’s how you can know if baby is getting enough milk.
If baby is feeding every hour two and taking these feeds seriously – full feeds – then it’s likely a growth spurt or milk supply issue.
Or if baby is trying to feed every hour or two and only feeding for five minutes here or there, it’s not likely a growth spurt.
Why does my baby nurse for 5 minutes and then cry?
This could be a number of things.
Baby could have reflux or you could have hyper-lactation.
Baby could have uncomfortable gas.
Or baby could have a food sensitivity to something you’ve eaten. If this persists past a few days, I’d go in to the doctor and rule out the above causes.
Fast, simple, and free strategies to implement if baby can’t get to sleep, won’t *stay* asleep, or is unsettled in general.
Milk supply?
Why does my baby always seem hungry and never satisfied?
This could be your milk supply. Here’s how to know if baby is getting enough milk.Â
Could be that baby is going through a growth spurt which means baby is more hungry.
Baby might be teething and eating is not comfortable so he’s not feeding well and in pain. Try pain management for babies who are going through teething.
Why is my newborn feeding for hours on end?
Short answer: they don’t.Â
They may stay at the breast for a long time, but that doesn’t mean they are actively feeding.
If your baby will take a pacifier you’ll see that they will also suck at the pacifier while sleeping.
Encourage your baby to be awake for feeds and then, after 30 to 45 minutes, take baby off the breast and let them take a nap in their own crib.
Sources:
This pack includes 20 colorful Scripture cards that include both the Bible verse and Scripture.
Learn More::
Hi Rachel,
I am so in this now! My 13 week old is in a habit of snacking -it doesn’t matter what I do, I can’t get her to take a full feed unless she is drowsy (in the evening and dream feed). Usually the first feed bombs, and then the rest of the day falls into a pattern of short naps and snack feedings.
Do you have any advice as to how I can encourage her to take a full feeding? It’s really effecting my milk supply, because of all the snacking. I had an oversupply, and now I have low supply. I’ve sought the advice of lactation consultants, but they just recommend to feed more throughout the day (i.e snack feed!).
Kindest,
Lorna
Lorna, is it the “dreaded overtired cycle” we like to say, where baby is so tired they feed a bit, fall asleep, wake again, feed a bit. Or will babe stay awake but STILL not take a full feed?
Hi Rachel,
Even if she’s awake (and refreshed), she still won’t take a full feed!
Then I’d just stretch the feeds out by not giving them an hour apart. Move it out 15 minutes, then again and again until she’s hungry and takes more! You can keep doing what you’re doing and don’t need to change anything unless what you are doing is not working, of course!
My daughter would not feed more than 8 minutes at a time EVER. But she’d go 2.5 to 3 hours between feeds easily then, again, feed for 8 to 10 minutes. My midwife said she was a strong sucker and got all she needed. If she’s feeding for a bit then starved in an hour she’s NOT getting it all, I’d say.
Hi Rachel,
I’m so glad I found your site! My infant is 4 weeks old now and started feeding every hour and would wake up every 30mins to an hour since last week! I thought it was growth spurt since he has enough wet/poo diapers and even spits up at times. But now, I can’t tell if it’s snacking or just cluster feeding since it only happens from like 10am to 8pm. He takes the boobs for less than 10 mins and wakes up after a very short nap during this time.. what do you think it is?
Also, how can I get him to NOT feed every hour since they aren’t full feeds? Can you give some suggestions? Thank you so much:(
Id space the feedings out. Try all the tricks to keep him awake for feeds, put him on his tummy to actually WAKE HIM UP before feeding him. Then you simply space them out by not feeding every hour.
Currently, I have been feeding my daughter every hour for 20-30 mins at a time. She seems tired but will not fall asleep. I’ll change her diaper for her to then want to eat more. It’s constant and non- stop through out the day. For example: wake up at 9:30 to start the day and she eats up until the early evening. She doesn’t fall asleep for very long before wanting to feed again. It seems to me as if she hasn’t really slept at all and she doesn’t get a full nap until the early evening which lasts for about 4 hours. Then back to non- stop eating until bed time which is very late. I’m very overwhelmed.
Is she actually eating this whole time? This is SO MUCH MILK it seems like a lot. HOw old is she?
Omg I have the exact same issue with my baby daughter. Did hoi ever figured out what was going on?
Hey Rachel, great article! I feel like I’m stuck in a loop like this with my son (8 weeks). He’ll eat for 10-15 minutes, consuming about 3.5oz of expressed breast milk, and then he’s relatively mellow… for about an hour, at which point he goes ballistic until fed again. Thankfully he only seems to get up once or twice a night, but the feeding every hour during the day is rough! Given the type and volume he’s consuming, along with his age, can you think of what might help break the 1 hour cluster feed cycle? Thanks in advance!
I’ve been using a lot of your routines with my now 4 week old baby, and things are mostly going great! I can even say I’m reasonably well-rested.
However, there’s one point during the early morning that is not going great and I can’t figure it out. My son will sleep roughly 9PM to 1AM, take a good big feed, and sleep another 3 hours. After that it is DONE with the great feedings. Starting at 4AM until about 10AM he will wake up every hour, needing to feed but only taking a little bit at a time. For the first two or so hours he will fall asleep at the breast after a few minutes, and then in the latter half of this period (presumably because now he is REALLY hungry??) he fusses and squirms and screams during feeds. Either way I can’t seem to get him to eat enough. I rub his hands, feet, cheeks, use a cold wipe, have even unswaddled him, diaper change in the middle of feeding to wake him up, but to no avail. He either falls and stays asleep or just refuses to feed. This goes on until 10am or so when he finally takes a good feed and is back on his normal feed-and-sleep-2/3hrs schedule. I am so confused what is the cause of this and what I can do to resolve this. The lactation consultant said this was “normal” and the result of hunger caused by him sleeping 4 and then 3 hours prior.. but if he is so hungry, why won’t he eat??
So at 4am, if you then get him up out of bed at 6 or 6:30 and keep him awake for an hour or so… will he then go down for a nap?
Hi Rachel!
My baby girl is a week old and is a little underweight. She is almost back to birth weight which is great. She will be actively feeding on me for 30 minutes to an hour (switching breasts, gentle wake cues, burping in between) and a lot of times will fall asleep on me and seem content and happy but when I go to put her in her bassinet she becomes restless and wakes up and if I bring her back to breast she will suck again. We’ve been supplementing with a bottle of expressed milk per peds recommendation but I can’t imagine she’s still hungry and I feel like we are over feeding her. What is a good way to tell if she is want to suck for comfort or actually hungry? Any tips on getting her to sleep after a full feed? Thank you!!
It’s definitely tough to tell which it is, but you can tell if she’s gettnig milk while nrusing (and not doing non nutritive sucking) by whether her cheek muscle is moving, if her throat is actively swallowing, and whether if you pull her off any milk actualy comes out of the nipple or her mouth!
Hi Rachel!
My baby girl is going to be 8 weeks old on Friday! And I have such trouble with her sleep during the day- she wants to feed every hour sometimes even 45 minutes during the day. I noticed her sleep is completely off- she has wake windows of almost 3 hours and in between those three hours I feed every hour where she would either fall asleep on boob and as soon as I pick her up to burp her she’s awake and stays awake. Her sleep concerns me so I do everything to make sure I can get her to sleep which means I have to hold her! Even that sometimes doesn’t work. Just to give you an idea we woke at 6:30 fed and slept 7:30am- 8 another feed at 8:30 and slept 9:30-10:45 am, fed her at 11 and 12 and she fell asleep 12:45 -1:30 from there I fed her every hour until I gave up and gave her a bottle at 4:30 of my breast milk which allowed her to sleep for an hour til 5:30. I fed her then and again 6:45/7 before bed.
What throws me off is she actually sleeps through the nights 8 pm- 2 am… where I’ll usually wake her after a 5-6 hour stretch. If she’s sleeping through the night does that mean she’s getting enough? Just not through out the day?
I don’t even know where to start with training her every 2 hours or 2.5 hours when she’s so fussy and apparently hungry :/ especially knowing she didn’t or hasn’t slept..
When she’s awake and alert and feeding sometimes even still she won’t take a full feed. For example she’ll stay on one boob for 10-12 min and then close her mouth or pull away for second boob. That’s my indication she’s full. However, she would suck her thumb and open her mouth as if she’s still hungry. Very confused here with this one. I hope this pattern doesn’t affect my milk supply. I didn’t correlate the two until reading your post makes sense. I always assumed she’s a terrible napper and light sleeper but it’s making sense.. I don’t even know where to start! Help !
Thanks so much,
Chanel
Hello! I have a 3 week old – my first baby. I am struggling with which to prioritize- full feeds or keeping baby awake during feeding? Right now, a full feed (where she takes her self off the first breast, is burped, usually nods off for 5 minutes, then takes a little from the second breast) is taking upwards of an hour to an hour and half. This is more than the suggested wake window for her age and does not include time spent changing her diaper or trying to fit in tummy time. She does often slow down considerably towards the end of the feeding (around the 40 minute mark on the first boob), but when I try to remove her, she starts back with vigor. All of this is also playing into short naps (average 1 hour – she was doing a solid 2.5-3 hours just a week ago). In your article, your last sentence is this “Encourage your baby to be awake for feeds and then, after 30 to 45 minutes, take baby off the breast and let them take a nap in their own crib.” — So which is more important: that I offer both breasts in one feed and make sure she is getting a full feed? Or taking the baby off after a while and letting them nap? What if they only eat off one breast in that time? Can I do 30-40 minutes on one breast, hope for a nap longer than one hour, then offer the second breast and consider it a separate feeding? Sorry for the long comment-
Thanks!
Hello Rachel, i find this article very useful! i have a week old son who’s screaming for milk every hour during the day but sleeps 4 hours or sometimes more during the night. he would feed 10 minutes on one boob and if we’re lucky up to 5 minutes on another one but the time between boobs is increasing and it almost takes an hour now to feed the baby then he goes to sleep for a bit and wakes up again. i cannot stop him screaming when he wants to geed every hour and also cannot feed him more because he’s crying too much. how should i get him on schedule without too much stress ?
thanks so much
I am struggling over here. Baby is 4 months but was born 7 weeks early. He eats every two hours – sometimes for 4-6 min sometimes 10-12. I try to give a bottle here and there to see what he’ll take and usually he won’t take more than 2.5-3oz. He weighs 15lbs so I know he’s growing, but I am worried this isn’t normal. He wakes up ON THE DOT every two hours at night to eat. He does have bad reflux and gas and spits up a lot, but his brother did as well and we didn’t have this problem. Any suggestions? I feel bad trying to force feed 3+ oz during bottle feeds but I’m at a loss with daycare starting soon.