Why do I need to wake my newborn to feed every 3 hours if I’m supposed to feed them on demand

In the first few days of life, your baby’s entire world shifts—suddenly they’re breathing, regulating temperature, digesting, and feeding for the first time. And feeding isn’t just about filling their belly—it’s essential for their body’s ability to adjust to life outside the womb.

Here’s what’s happening under the surface:

1. Colostrum: Liquid Gold That’s Easy to Digest

• Colostrum is thick, yellow, and packed with immunological magic—antibodies, white blood cells, and protective enzymes.
• It’s low in fat, high in protein and carbohydrates—perfectly suited for a newborn’s immature digestive system.
• It’s very easy to digest, which means it empties from the stomach quickly. That’s why babies are ready to eat again soon after feeding.
• Unlike mature milk, colostrum is produced in small volumes—teaspoons per feed—which is just right for a tiny tummy that can only hold about 5–7 mL on day one.

2. Frequent Feeds = Better Blood Sugar Regulation

• After birth, babies are no longer receiving a steady stream of glucose from the placenta.
• Their bodies have to start managing blood sugar on their own, using stored glycogen (mostly from the liver) and intake from feeding.
• Colostrum is rich in lactose (a milk sugar) that helps stabilize these glucose levels.
• But because it comes in small amounts, frequent feedings are necessary to prevent drops in blood sugar—especially in babies who are small, late preterm, or born to diabetic mothers.

Unstable blood sugar can make a baby:

• Extra sleepy (and too tired to feed well)
• Jittery or weak
• At risk for needing NICU support

So yes, waking a sleepy baby to feed isn’t overkill—it’s smart prevention.

3. Feeding Stimulates Gut Maturation + Immune Defense

• Colostrum coats the lining of your baby’s gut, sealing it like a protective shield.
• This reduces inflammation, supports the growth of healthy bacteria, and blocks pathogens.
• The more often baby feeds, the more protected their gut becomes.

Bottom Line: Feeding every 2–3 hours supports…

• Stable blood sugar
• Optimal digestion
• Immune system development
• Weight gain + hydration
• Milk supply stimulation

So if you’re feeling like a human pacifier, just know:

This early work is powerful, important, and so worth it.

Feeding your baby frequently in those first days isn’t spoiling them—it’s setting up their entire system to thrive.

#LaLactation #ColostrumScience #WhyWeFeedOften #NewbornBloodSugar #BreastfeedingBasics #Every3Hours #SleepyBabiesNeedMilkToo