Why Is My Baby Falling Asleep While Bottle Feeding?

If you’ve found yourself gently nudging your little one awake mid-feed, you’re not alone. For new parents, it can be worrying when your baby falls asleep while bottle feeding, but it’s actually quite common – particularly in newborns.

 

If you’ve transitioned to bottle feeding, read on to learn why your little one is falling asleep and what steps you can take to make sure they get all the nourishment they need.

 

My Baby Keeps Falling Asleep While Bottle Feeding. Should I Be Concerned?

 

Keeping track of when your little one eats, how much they drink, and how long they sleep can tell you a lot about their overall health and wellbeing. But if your baby nods off while bottle feeding, how do you know if it’s just drowsiness or something to be concerned about?

For many parents, a newborn falling asleep while bottle feeding is a normal part of development and can be a sign of their overall comfort and satisfaction. If your bottle-fed baby is nodding off while feeding, don’t be too worried – the key is to make sure they’re getting enough nourishment, whether from infant formula or expressed breastmilk.

The next section lists ‘Common Reasons’ why your baby might be drifting off during feeds. Following that, ‘When to Be Concerned’ highlights red flags to watch out for and when to contact your GP. ¹

 

Common Reasons Why Your Baby Is Dozing Off While Bottle Feeding

 

It’s not uncommon for a bottle-fed baby to get sleepy during feeds – especially if they’re warm, comfortable, and have a tummy full of formula.

Here are some reasons why your bottle-fed baby might be dozing off while feeding:

 

Comfort and security:

Being held closely, the warmth of the milk, and the soothing rhythm of feeding can combine to create a super relaxed environment for a feeding baby – it’s no surprise this can lead to sleep. ² Even when feeding in the ‘baby upright’ position or nestled in a baby carrier , some little ones will still nod off during a feed – this kind of calm response is just their way of saying, “I’m full and happy”.

 

Full tummy syndrome:

When your little one’s tummy is full, their body naturally shifts from the hard work of feeding into a peaceful state of rest and digestion.

Similar to the ‘food coma’ adults can experience after a large meal, this post-feeding relaxation can induce sleepiness and is usually a great sign that your baby is full and content – this happens with formula and breastmilk, as their body tends to process both in pretty much the same way. ³

 

Exertion and effort:

Feeding can be hard work. Newborns need to coordinate suckling, ingesting, and breathing all at once. This is no simple task, and can really drain their energy – it’s like a mini-workout every time your baby eats!

In particular, a baby's tongue, jaw, and lip muscles do a lot of work during feeding. This sustained effort can lead to physical fatigue, causing your newborn to tire and fall asleep independently.

 

Teat flow rate:

The rate at which milk flows from the bottle’s teat directly affects how much effort your newborn needs to expend.

If the teat flow is too slow, your baby may have to work extra hard just to get a little milk. That kind of effort can wear them out fast, falling asleep from exhaustion before they’ve had enough to eat.

When teat flow is too fast, your baby might gulp and cough or even push the bottle away. And while they might fall asleep afterward, it’s more likely because they’re frustrated or uncomfortable – not because they’re full.

As your little one gets older, you might find that using a feeding cup is easier than a bottle. ⁴

 

Age and developmental stage:

Newborns have short wake windows (the time they can comfortably stay awake) and need a lot of sleep. Because their little bodies and brains are still developing – especially when it comes to their digestion and coordination – it’s no wonder they often drift off mid-feed.

Rest assured, this sleepy feeding phase won’t last forever. As most babies grow and develop, they will stay more focused during feeds.

 

Time of day:

The time of day, and where you feed your little one, can play a big role in how sleepy they are.

It might seem obvious, but babies are more likely to be drowsy during night feedings or when feeding lines up with their usual nap times. If you are feeding your newborn in a quiet, dark room with gentle white noise in the background, don’t be surprised if they doze off during a feed – especially if this is part of their regular bedtime routine.

 

When to Be Concerned If Your Newborn Falls Asleep While Bottle Feeding

It’s common for newborns to fall asleep during feeding. However, if it’s happening a lot and you see other signs such as low energy or slow weight gain, it could mean that they aren’t getting enough to eat. When in doubt, always contact your GP.

 

Difficulty in gaining weight:

One of the clearest signs a baby is getting enough to eat is steady weight gain. If your little one keeps dozing off before finishing their feeds and isn’t taking in enough calories, it will show up as slow or no weight gain on their growth chart or during regular checkups. ⁵

 

Fewer wet and dirty nappies:

If your baby is well-fed and adequately hydrated, you’ll typically see five or six heavy wet nappies a day and poos that follow a regular routine – a drop in either could mean your newborn isn’t getting enough milk.

 

Lack of alertness during wake windows:

When a newborn is more lethargic than usual, overly sleepy, or not engaging in the way you'd expect during normal awake times, they might not be getting enough energy from their feeds. If the drowsiness persists, contact your GP.

 

Persistent fussiness or hunger cues shortly after a feed:

Ever notice that your newborn nods off mid-feed, only to wake up soon after acting like they’re hungry again? Those little cues – sucking on their hands, rooting, making soft lip-smacking sounds – are your baby’s way of saying, “I want more milk!”

 

Very long feeding times:

If bottle feeds are taking more than 30 to 40 minutes and your little one still isn’t finishing their usual amount, that might be a sign that they’re tired, distracted, or not feeding efficiently – they could be burning more energy trying to eat than what they’re taking in!

If this becomes a pattern, contact your GP or family health nurse.

 

Tips to Keep Your Baby Awake and Engaged During Feeds

When feeding time turns into nap time, it’s important to find ways to keep your baby awake and engaged[PM10]  to ensure they’re getting enough milk – especially when bottle feeding. These simple tips can help make feeding more effective and enjoyable for both of you.

 

Try the suck, swallow, breathe coordination:

Paced bottle feeding⁶ is all about slowing things down to match the natural rhythm of breastfeeding – it lets your baby take the lead, just like they would at the breast! This technique helps them stay in control, avoid overfeeding, and stay awake during feeds, which means more efficient feeding.

Paced bottle feeding involves:

·       Holding your baby upright.

·       Holding the bottle horizontally so the milk flows slowly.

·       Letting your baby suckle and pause naturally instead of having a constant flow.

·       Taking regular breaks to allow them to rest and decide when they’re ready for more.

 

Change their position:

Is your little one nodding off mid-feed? Try gently adjusting their position, either sitting them up or switching them to your other arm – that small change can help re-engage your baby.

 

Tickle their feet or cheeks:

If you notice your baby nodding off during feeding, try gently tickling their chin, cheek, palm of their hand, or the bottom of their feet – that tiny bit of stimulation is often enough to keep your little one engaged, without fully waking them.

 

Loosen their clothing:

Many babies find being warm and cozy great conditions for sleep. If your little one keeps dozing off during feeds, try loosening their blanket or unbuttoning an outer layer of clothing – that slight cool-down can help keep them alert without making them uncomfortable.

 

Take a short break and burp them:

If your newborn nods off mid-feed, try taking a short break – pause for a moment, gently burp them, then continue. This will help release any trapped gas that might be making your little one uncomfortable and help them re-engage.

 

Talk to them:

To help your baby stay focused during a feed, try talking softly or singing them a soothing lullaby while maintaining eye contact – sometimes, that’s all it takes to keep them engaged!

 

Switch sides:

If you usually hold your newborn in the same arm, try swapping sides mid-feed – that simple adjustment might be all it takes to gently rouse your sleeping baby and get them back into the rhythm of feeding.

 

Check the teat flow:

It’s important to make sure teat flow matches your little one’s age and feeding ability.  It can be overwhelming if the milk is coming too fast, but if it’s too slow they can easily wear themselves out trying to feed – finding the right balance is important. ⁶

 

Try to feed when they're alert:

If possible, offer your baby the bottle when they’re awake and showing hunger cues like sucking on their hands or smacking their lips, instead of waiting until they’re drowsy – feedings tend to go more smoothly if your little one is calm and alert!

 

Sleepiness vs. Warning Signs: Decision Flowchart

Still not sure when it’s time to call your GP or healthcare provider? Don’t worry, this handy flowchart keeps things nice and simple:

When to Consult Your GP or Paediatrician

Knowing some of the common reasons why your baby is falling asleep during feeding can be helpful, but it’s important for parents to recognise when to ask for help – when in doubt, always play it safe and contact a healthcare professional.

Your GP or paediatrician can observe a feed, check your baby’s overall health and development, rule out any medical issues, and offer advice if needed.

Giving Your Baby Nutritious Formula For Their Little Tummy

Giving your little one nutritious formula helps ensure they get all the essential nutrients they need, even if they nod off mid-feed. ³ Babies may drift off during bottle formula feeds for several completely normal reasons, and understanding these patterns can help make feeding time more effective and relaxed for both of you.

If you’re feeling unsure about your baby’s health or just need some peace of mind, don’t hesitate to contact your GP, midwife, child health nurse, lactation consultant, or paediatrician – they’re there to help.

 

References

1. The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne. [Internet] Typical and problematic feeding and mealtime behaviours. Available at:  https://www.rch.org.au/feedingdifficulties/difficulties/Typical_and_Problematic/

2. The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne. [Internet] Nursing guidelines. [Last updated August 2024] Available at: https://www.rch.org.au/rchcpg/hospital_clinical_guideline_index/Safe_Sleeping/

3. Red Nose. [Internet] Breastfeeding vs formula explained. [April 2019] Available at: https://rednose.org.au/news/breastfeeding-vs-formula-explained

4. Tresillian. [Internet] Bottle-feeding your baby. https://www.tresillian.org.au/baby/feeding/bottle-feeding-your-baby/

5. Australian Journal of General Practice. [Internet] Common neonatal presentations to the primary care physician. [April 2018] Available at: https://www1.racgp.org.au/ajgp/2018/april/common-neonatal-presentations