Breastfeeding and Sleep

One of the most common questions you’ll be asked after the birth of your baby is, “Does your baby sleep through the night?” While it’s true most breastfed babies on average wake up more frequently than formula-fed babies, breastfeeding and sleep are not two conflicting concepts.

Newborns were not designed to sleep for long chunks of time. “Sleeping through the night” is actually defined as baby sleeping for a 5 hour interval, not 8 or 10! Since breast milk is rapidly digested, nursing babies need nourishment at frequent intervals—even during the night. Many breastfeeding moms have a family bed or sleep near their baby to make nighttime nursing a breeze. Think about it. All you’ll have to do is roll on your side and offer your breast to your baby and you fall back asleep.

Breastfeeding and sleep will get easier as your baby gets older and loses interest in marathon-long sessions of comfort nursing. It’s all about finding your family’s groove and doing what works. Forget anyone else’s advice—do what works best to maximize sleep for you and your baby.

Highly recommended: Elizabeth Pantley’s No Cry Sleep Solution. This is a breastfeeding friendly book with real life tips from a mom of 4. There’s something for everyone in this book.