Breastfeeding Through Growth Spurts

Breastfeeding Through Growth Spurts and Sleep Changes

February 25, 2026 Women
Stress Matters Breastfeeding Through Growth Spurts and Sleep Changes

Breastfeeding can feel confusing when your baby suddenly wants to eat more or wakes up more often. The good news is this is very normal. Babies grow fast, and their feeding and sleep patterns change often, especially in the first few months.

Below are common reasons why your baby may be nursing more and some simple ways to help.

Breastfeeding Through Growth
Stress Matters Why Is My Baby Eating and Waking More Often?
Reason #1

DAY AND NIGHT MIX-UP

Some babies sleep more during the day and want to be awake at night. This is called a day/night mix-up. Most babies figure this out on their own and begin sleeping more at night within a few weeks.

What can help:

  • ✓ Keep daytime bright and a little noisy
  • ✓ Let your baby nap in the main living area during the day
  • ✓ At night, keep lights low and the room quiet during feedings
Reason #2

GROWTH SPURTS

Babies go through growth spurts when their bodies need more milk. During these times, your baby may want to nurse more often for a day or two. This extra feeding also helps your milk supply keep up with your baby’s needs.

Growth spurts often happen around:

  • ✓ 10 days
  • ✓ 3 weeks
  • ✓ 6 weeks
  • ✓ 3 months
Reason #3

CLUSTER FEEDING

Cluster feeding means your baby nurses many times close together, often in the late afternoon or evening. This is like “filling up” before a longer stretch of sleep. This phase is temporary and will pass.

Reason #4

LONGER SLEEP, MISSED FEEDINGS

As babies grow, they may sleep longer at night. If they miss a feeding, they may be extra hungry later and want to nurse more often during the day. This is normal and does not mean something is wrong.

Reason #5

TOO SLEEPY OR DISTRACTED

Some babies fall asleep or get distracted while nursing, which can mean they don’t get enough milk at that feeding. The goal for your baby is to have steady sucking and swallowing, not just light fluttering.

Try these tips to help your baby stay awake while nursing:

  • ✓ Undress your baby down to a diaper
  • ✓ Gently rub their feet or hold their hand
  • ✓ Change your baby’s diaper during the feeding
  • ✓ Switch breasts every 5 minutes to keep baby alert
Reason #6

CRYING IS NOT ALWAYS HUNGER

Babies between 3 weeks and 3 months are often fussier. Crying does not always mean hunger.

Try soothing your crying baby by:

  • ✓ Safely swaddling
  • ✓ Gentle rocking or swaying
  • ✓ Holding your baby on their side while you support them
Reason #7

BABIES GROW AND CHANGE OFTEN

There is no perfect feeding schedule. Babies eat more often than every 3 hours because they are used to being fed all the time in your body before birth. If your baby sleeps longer than 4 hours and wakes up, they are likely hungry and need to eat.
Stress Matters When to Get Extra Support

If you are unsure or worried, help is available.
A WIC lactation specialist can check your baby’s weight or do a test feeding to make sure your baby is getting enough milk. You can also try skin-to-skin time after feeding. This can help you see if your baby is full and ready to rest.

Lady skin-to-skin time after feeding
feeding and changing sleep patterns
A Final Note
Frequent feeding and changing sleep patterns are signs that your baby is growing and developing. Trust your body, trust your baby, and remember – you don’t have to figure this out alone. Support is always available.

REFERENCES:

American Academy of Pediatrics. (2026). Breastfeeding.
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/breastfeeding/Pages/default.aspx

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025, December 5). About breastfeeding.
https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding

La Leche League International. (2026). Growth spurts and frequent-feeding days.
https://www.lllc.ca/growth-spurts

Author: Maya Bunik MD MPH

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Side-Lying-Hold

Side-Lying Hold

  1. For the right breast, lie on your right side with your baby facing you.
  2. Pull your baby close. Your baby’s mouth should be level with your nipple.
  3. In this position, you can cradle your baby’s back with your left arm and support yourself with your right arm and/or pillows.
  4. Keep loose clothing and bedding away from your baby.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • You had a C-section
  • You want to rest while baby feeds
  • You are breastfeeding in the middle of the night
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
cross-cradle-hold-1

Cross-Cradle Hold

  1. For the right breast, use your left arm to hold your baby’s head at your right breast and baby’s body toward your left side. A pillow across your lap can help support your left arm.
  2. Gently place your left hand behind your baby’s ears and neck, with your thumb and index finger behind each ear and your palm between baby’s shoulder blades. Turn your baby’s body toward yours so your tummies are touching.
  3. Hold your breast as if you are squeezing a sandwich. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Instead, bring your baby to you.
  4. As your baby’s mouth opens, push gently with your left palm on baby’s head to help them latch on. Make sure you keep your fingers out of the way.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • Your baby is premature
  • Your baby has a weak suck
  • Your baby needs help to stay latched
  • Your baby needs extra head support
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
Football-hold

Clutch or “Football” Hold

  1. For the right breast, hold your baby level, facing up, at your right side.
  2. Put your baby’s head near your right nipple and support their back and legs under your right arm.
  3. Hold the base of your baby’s head with your right palm. A pillow underneath your right arm can help support your baby’s weight.
  4. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Bring baby to you instead.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • You had a C-section
  • You have large breasts
  • You have flat or inverted nipples
  • You have a strong milk let-down
  • You are breastfeeding twins
  • Your baby likes to feed in an upright position
  • Your baby has reflux
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
CRADLE-HOLD​

Cradle Hold

  1. For the right breast, cradle your baby with your right arm. Your baby will be on their left side across your lap, facing you at nipple level.
  2. Your baby’s head will rest on your right forearm with your baby’s back along your inner arm and palm.
  3. Turn your baby’s tummy toward your tummy. Your left hand is free to support your breast, if needed. Pillows can help support your arm and elbow.
  4. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Instead, bring your baby to you.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • Your baby needs help latching on
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
laid-back

Laid-Back Hold

  1. Lean back on a pillow with your baby’s tummy touching yours and their head at breast level. Some moms find that sitting up nearly straight works well. Others prefer to lean back and lie almost flat.
  2. You can place your baby’s cheek near your breast, or you may want to use one hand to hold your breast near your baby. It’s up to you and what you think feels best.
  3. Your baby will naturally find your nipple, latch, and begin to suckle.

This hold is useful when:

  • Your baby is placed on your chest right after birth
  • You have a strong milk let-down
  • You have large breasts
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position