hichever method you choose to feed your baby, during the early days you will
need to feed him/her at least 8-12 times in 24 hours. Babies have a physiological need to wake frequently to feed and breastfeeding is ideal to support this because it adjusts to suit the baby’s needs and development. In the first few days when his tummy is the size of a cherry, he will need frequent feeds of colostrum which is low in volume and high in nutrients and enhances his immune system. As the milk comes in, the tummy grows quickly to accommodate the larger volume of mature milk with a higher percentage of fat to help baby sleep and grow. However, he still needs 8-12 feeds a day so while you may notice some slightly longer gaps, often in the morning and after the first night feed, at other times he will still feed more regularly. Added to this is that fact that prolactin, which is a key hormone in the production of milk, is at its highest at night and you can see why it is important to feed through the night. Sorry bad news I know but it’s not forever!
BY Tina Perridge, Director of Neighbourhood Midwives Limited
THE SECRET TO A GOOD NIGHT'S
SLEEP WHILE BREASTFEEDING
W
5 TIPS TO HELP IMPROVE YOUR SLEEP IF YOU ARE BREASTFEEDING
1
Sleep when baby sleeps. Allow yourself to rest during the first couple of weeks when everything is getting established.
This means being in bed part of the day and having everything done for you so that you can sleep when your baby sleeps. Sometimes women feel bright and try to carry on as normal but this is not really a great idea since the tiredness invariably catches up with you.
2
Take a break too. Most women want the baby near them and enjoy this closeness. The other issue is to
be aware that a baby who is feeding well at 7-10 days should not need to be at the breast for hours at a time. All this does is tire you and the baby. So ensure that you get help to latch the baby well and observe what an effective feed looks like. As time goes on you will still benefit from a sleep each day and some couples do a rota at night so the woman gets a few hours uninterrupted sleep at some point. Don’t forget that breastfeeding hormones relax us and help us to sleep.
3
4
Learn to feed lying down and acknowledge that many breastfeeding mums do have a
period in the night when the baby might be in bed with them. This is safe as long as you do not drink excessively, smoke, or take drugs. The Lullaby Trust and ISIS Online have information on co-sleeping.
Look after the baby and let other people look after you. Eat and drink well and try to have someone who will
help with nappy changing, providing food and drink for you and help you to settle your baby. Many partners, particularly if the baby is being breastfed, feel frustrated at not being able to settle the baby as they only want to feed on mum.
Tina Perridge Director of Neighbourhood Midwives Limited www.neighbourhoodmidwives.org.uk,
02088746624