When Can You Stop Waking Your Baby for Feeds? A Guide for Sleep-Deprived Parents

You’ve been setting alarms, stumbling out of bed at all hours, and perfecting the art of making coffee with one hand while cradling a newborn with the other. Your baby, meanwhile, has been treating you like an all-you-can-eat buffet, showing no regard for the fact that humans actually need sleep to function.

Then, one day, your pediatrician utters the words you’ve been waiting for:

"Y our baby is gaining weight like a champ—you might even get some sleep!"

Cue the record scratch. Hold up. Some sleep? What does that even mean?

Does this mean you can finally retire the 3 AM wake-up calls? Will your baby, in a rare moment of generosity, reward you with a full night’s rest? Will you actually remember what it feels like to dream?

(Spoiler alert: Not yet. But we’re getting there.)

Frequent Feeds = Steady Growth

Newborns need frequent feeds because their stomachs are tiny, and missing meals can slow weight gain. That’s why pediatricians recommend waking babies regularly in the first few weeks—even overnight.

The general guideline: In the early weeks, newborns should sleep only 2 to 4 hours between feedings until they have consistently good weight gain and their pediatrician confirms they’re thriving (KidsHealth - Nemours Children's Health).

Once your baby is gaining weight steadily and showing healthy diaper output, they can sleep for longer stretches—meaning you might finally get to experience a luxurious, uninterrupted two-hour nap.

When Should You Wake Your Baby for Feeds?

Some babies still need wake-up feeds, even after they’re past the newborn stage. Here’s how to tell:

Wake baby for feeds for any of the following reasons:

• Your pediatrician recommends it due to slow weight gain.

• Not enough wet diapers (HealthyChildren - Ameican Academy of Pediatrics).

  • First few days: Expect 2–3 wet diapers per day.

  • After day 4 or 5: At least 5–6 wet diapers daily.

• Baby is excessively sleepy and rarely wakes up on their own.

• Weight gain isn’t steady or baby is losing weight.

• Baby seems constantly hungry when awake (fussing, rooting, sucking on hands).

If your baby meets weight milestones and wakes up on their own, they’re likely ready for longer sleep stretches. 

The Myth of “Sleeping Through the Night”

So, does this mean your baby will suddenly sleep 8-hour stretches? Not quite. Even when babies no longer need to be woken for feeds, they will still wake up when hungry—whether it’s 2 AM, 4 AM, or right after you finally dozed off.

What this really means:

• You don’t have to set alarms unless your doctor advises otherwise.

• But expect some middle-of-the-night wakeups—hunger doesn’t check the clock.

• Over time, your baby will naturally start sleeping longer between feeds.

Final Thoughts: Trust Your Baby (and Your Pediatrician, Too)

For most healthy babies, once they’re gaining weight well, you can stop waking them for feeds and let them wake naturally when hungry.

But if something feels off—trust your gut. No parent ever regrets checking in with their pediatrician.

Quick Guide: When to Wake Baby for Feeds

First few weeks: Wake baby every 2–3 hours (no longer than 4 hours between feeds) until they have steady weight gain.

After steady weight gain: Let them sleep longer—unless advised otherwise by your pediatrician.

Signs they still need frequent feeds: Fewer than 6 wet diapers per day, excessive sleepiness, slow weight gain.

Parents, when did you stop setting alarms for night feeds? Let’s hear your experiences in the comments!