The Truth About Full Feedings & Reflux: Why “Eat, Play, Sleep” Might Be the Problem

If you’ve ever been told to “push for a full feeding” so baby will go longer between meals, this one’s for you.

Overly full bellies can actually make reflux worse. That “nice, long stretch” of sleep people promise often comes with more spit-up, discomfort, and a cranky baby.

Let’s talk about it.

The Problem with “Eat, Play, Sleep”

The Eat, Play, Sleep routine sounds great in theory—baby eats a big meal, stays awake for a bit, then sleeps peacefully until the next feed. But that’s not actually how most babies are wired.

Instead, many babies prefer Eat, Play, Eat, Sleep (or even snack their way to sleep). Why? Because:

• A super full stomach puts more pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), the little valve that keeps milk down. Babies have immature LES muscles, meaning a too-full tummy makes reflux worse.

• Digestion is a process, not an instant fix. Smaller, more frequent feedings keep the stomach from overfilling, making digestion easier and reducing spit-up.

• Babies instinctively regulate their intake when given the chance. If we push them to take in more than they need, they may reflux it right back up.

Smaller, More Frequent Feeds = Happier Tummies

Instead of focusing on “full feedings” at every meal, consider a biologically normal feeding rhythm:

• Offer feeds more frequently, in smaller amounts

• Allow baby to cue for feeds as needed, even if it feels like a “snack”

• Follow baby’s natural feeding rhythm instead of rigid schedules

• Responsive feeding reduces reflux risk by preventing stomach over distension

But Won’t My Baby Sleep Less?

Not necessarily. A baby who is comfortable (not overstuffed and refluxy) is actually more likely to settle and sleep well. The goal isn’t to “tank them up” but to feed in a way that supports their digestion and comfort.

Bottom Line?

Bigger feedings don’t equal better sleep—they often mean more reflux, more discomfort, and more wake-ups. Let’s trust babies to tell us how much they need because when it comes to feeding, less (more often) is sometimes more.

Has this been your experience? Let’s talk in the comments.