The question of whether to wake your newborn for feedings can create real anxiety for new parents. Your instincts tell you that a sleeping baby shouldn't be disturbed, but you've heard the strict rule: "Feed every two to three hours around the clock.
As a nurse and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) with over ten years of experience in hospitals, NICUs, and home settings, I'm here to give you an updated approach that prioritizes both your baby's nutrition and your family's rest.
The Bottom Line: Can You Let Your Newborn Sleep?
Yes – if your baby meets these criteria:
- Healthy and full-term
- At least six wet diapers daily
- At least three to four poop diapers daily
- Back to birth weight by two to three weeks (most babies achieve this by two weeks, though some healthy babies take up to three weeks)
When these boxes are checked, you can let your baby sleep longer stretches at night.
Your New Feeding Framework: The 8-in-24 Rule
Old rule: Feed every 2-3 hours around the clock
New rule: Ensure at least 8 good feedings in 24 hours
This shift changes everything. Eight quality feedings provide the minimum nutrition newborns need to gain weight appropriately, but they don't all have to happen on a rigid schedule.
What Makes a "Good" Feeding?
Breastfeeding: 20-45 minutes of active sucking and swallowing (most newborns feed 8-12 times daily)
Bottle feeding: Approximately 2-3 ounces per feeding in the early weeks, totaling at least 16-24 ounces in 24 hours (this increases as your baby grows)
Your Three-Step Feeding Schedule
Step One: Watch the Clock During Daylight Hours
If your baby isn't asking to eat every 2-3 hours during the day, wake them. Here's my nurse's trick from years of working in the NICU:
Babies have 50-60 minute sleep cycles, meaning they enter light sleep about once per hour. In this state, they'll stir, flutter their eyelids, and make mouth movements. When you spot these signs around the 2-3 hour mark, that's your window.
Pick up your baby, undress them, and hold them skin-to-skin. Given a few minutes, they'll naturally wake and start rooting for food. If they fall back into deep sleep, simply hold them until the next light sleep cycle or put them down and try again later.
Step Two: Let Nighttime Be Different
Many healthy newborns will naturally sleep one 4-6 hour stretch at night when given the opportunity. They compensate by eating more frequently during waking hours.
For breastfeeding parents: Your milk supply adjusts to your baby's demand pattern. Production decreases during their long sleep stretch and increases during the day when they cluster feed. You don't need to pump in the middle of the night unless you're experiencing uncomfortable engorgement.
For bottle feeding parents: You'll notice larger bottle volumes during the day. As long as your baby consumes at least 16-24 ounces total in the early weeks (increasing as they grow), the distribution doesn't matter.
Step Three: Monitor and Adjust
Try this schedule for a few days while tracking:
- Diaper output (6+ wet, 3-4+ dirty daily)
- Baby's alertness and satisfaction after feeds
- Your own sleep quality and stress levels
If your baby continues gaining weight appropriately and you're getting more rest, you've found a sustainable rhythm.
When to Contact Your Pediatrician
Reach out immediately if you notice:
- Fewer than six wet diapers in 24 hours
- Fewer than three dirty diapers daily (after the first week)
- Baby seems lethargic or difficult to wake
- Not back to birth weight by three weeks
- Weight gain concerns at check-ups
- Persistent feeding difficulties
The Real-World Experience
In my decade of lactation work across hospitals, birth centers, and homes, I’ve helped thousands of families navigate this question. The parents who do best understand the reasoning behind feeding recommendations instead of relying on rigid rules that don’t fit every baby.
Your Next Steps
Start implementing the 8-in-24 rule today. Keep a simple log for the first few days (most parents use their phone's notes app) to ensure you're hitting those eight feedings. After you've established the pattern, you can relax into trusting your baby's natural rhythms.
About the Author:
Michelle McKeown Poole, MS, RN, IBCLC, is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant with a master's degree in counseling and certification in childbirth education. With over ten years of experience in hospitals, NICUs, and home settings, she specializes in helping parents navigate all feeding methods. She's the author of "Breastfeeding 101: Prepare for the Suck" and shares daily tips on Instagram @OneMinuteMilkBites.
Related Reading: I Read All The Baby Sleep Books So You Don’t Have To
Last updated: January 2026
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