It’s common for newborns to get sleepy at the breast — especially in the early days. If your baby is dozing off before getting a full feed, try these gentle strategies:
Practical Positioning Tips
Support your breast with your free hand so baby’s chin isn’t pressed down by its weight.
Switch breasts frequently — even every 30–60 seconds at first — to keep baby alert and encourage active nursing.
Try a less cuddly position like the football (clutch) hold instead of cradle hold.
Burp upright on your lap instead of over the shoulder to reduce sleepiness.
Change baby’s diaper mid-feed to gently wake them up.
Gentle Stimulation Ideas
Massage the crown of baby’s head in small circles.
Wipe with a cool cloth against the grain of hair growth.
Remove a layer of clothing this helps baby not be too warm and cosy causing sleepiness
“Sit-up” baby: Rest baby on your lap (head on your knees, legs near your tummy), and gently guide them into a sit-up position 2–3 times.
Follow with a gentle side-to-side sway.
Breast Compressions
Encourage milk flow by gently compressing the breast when baby slows down or pauses:
Squeeze gently near your chest wall,
Then midway between chest and areola,
Then close to the areola.
Repeat the sequence — stop when baby starts sucking again.
Supporting Active Sucking
Tips adapted from Kathy Kuhn, RN BSN IBCLC
When your baby pauses longer than 15 seconds while nursing:
Take a deep breath — the movement can trigger baby to suck again.
Try breast massage as described above.
Stroke under the chin from chin to collarbone with medium pressure.
If baby still isn’t sucking after all three steps:
Gently take them off the breast.
If they haven’t had about 10 minutes of active suckling per side, consider supplementing unless other feeds are going well.