How can I help my baby stay awake while breastfeeding?

It is first and foremost important for mom to know that her newborn baby falling asleep at the breast is a common situation and in no way anything she is doing wrong.  Newborns are extremely sleepy their first few days of life most likely from the birthing process.   When infants fall asleep at the breast before they are full, they will often times wake up again within an hour only to start this exhausting process all over again.  This can be trying on mom, dad, and baby. 

Try these tips: 

Gently wake your baby by unwrapping their blanket and changing their diaper.  Swaddling a baby is a calming technique and helps to put them to sleep defeating your purpose here.  You can drape a blanket over your baby during feeding to keep them warm along with your body heat,  but try not to swaddle them again until the feeding is over. 

Or try waking your baby by gently talking with them, moving their arms and legs around gently, and playing with them.  A baby who is awake prior to feeding is more likely to stay awake until they are full, giving you and your baby longer periods of rest in between feedings. It is very important to stress the word "gently" here so as not to irritate your baby prior to meals. 

Congratulations on your new baby!!

Some babies will tend to fall asleep in the first few weeks of life when the flow of milk is slow, not necessarily because they have had enough to eat. If this is the case, gentle breast compression (use your opposite hand to hold your breast with the thumb on top and other fingers below) may help your baby get more milk and continue to nurse when he gets sleepy and his sucking slows down. It is important that your baby stay awake long enough to eat
enough calories to gain weight and grow. Ideally he will finish a full feed, but during those first few weeks, this may be next to impossible each and every time you nurse him. Try stripping your baby down to only his diaper for nursing. Stroke his head, neck, or back, or tickle his feet as needed to keep him awake. Between breasts is a good time to burp him or change his diaper; better yet, have Daddy change it--a sure way to wake them both up.