Breastfeeding At Night
Babies love to breastfeed at night. As a Lactation Consultant, Registered Nurse, and Breastfeeding Mother I see a LOT of new moms struggle with nighttime breastfeeding. Learn why babies breastfeed more at night and how it benefits both mother and baby. Discover some amazing tips and tricks to make nighttime breastfeeding easier for you and your little one.
We will review:
Reasons for nighttime breastfeeding
Benefits of nighttime breastfeeding
Tips to make nighttime breastfeeding easier
Understanding the reasons why babies breastfeed at night and the benefits it provides can help you feel more confident in your ability to nourish and care for your baby. I go over this in my comprehensive breastfeeding course Nursing Newborn. You can purchase it here!
Reasons for Nighttime Breastfeeding
More Milk is Made at Night
Prolactin, the milk-making hormone, follows a 24-hour cycle. This hormone will be highest throughout the middle of the night and early morning.
Instinctually your baby knows there will be more milk made at night.
Nighttime breastfeeding allows your baby to get an appropriate amount of calories and gain weight.
Protects your Breastmilk Supply
Supply=Demand when it comes to breastfeeding
The more frequently your baby breastfeeds, the more milk you will make. Especially in the middle of the night when those Prolactin levels are highest!
Babies Have Small Stomachs
Most young babies need to breastfeed every 2-3 hours (but can do so way more frequently as well).
Breast Milk is digested quickly and a baby’s smaller stomach means more frequent breastfeeding.
See how many reasons there are for nighttime breastfeeding? Let’s dive a little deeper into some of the benefits for mom and baby.
Benefits of Nighttime Breastfeeding
Night Time Breastfeeding Helps Establish Circadian Rhythms
Like I already mentioned, prolactin (milk making hormone) levels are on a 24 hour cycle.
This is exactly like our circadian rhythm (our internal clock that tells us when we should be alert and when we should be sleepy).
When babies are born they have no established circadian rhythm and they don’t produce their own melatonin (the sleep-inducing hormone). They don’t know the difference between day and night. This is very normal for them!
Nighttime Breast Milk is fulllllll of Melatonin. And giving babies this nighttime ‘sleepy milk’ helps them establish their circadian rhythm!
Breastfeeding At Night Protects
Against SIDS
Baby’s in their first year of life are at an increased risk for SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome).
A huge factor is ‘preventing’ SIDS is…frequent waking! We do not want our young babies to be in deeeeeeep sleep.
Waking frequently for nighttime breastfeeding helps prevent the risk of SIDS.
Breastfeeding At Night Helps
Mothers Sleep Better
This seems backwards right? But it’s true! When mothers breastfeed it releases oxytocin (the love hormone) which can help them feel relaxed.
Oxytocin also primes the brain for rest and helps induce sleep.
There are so many amazing benefits to breastfeeding at night. But, for most mothers, that does not always make it ‘easy’. Let’s learn some tips to help prepare and prep for a night of breastfeeding.
Tips to Make Nighttime Breastfeeding Easier
Learn How to Safely Co-Sleep
Having your baby sleep with you, or close to you, can make nighttime breastfeeding easier.
Look out for our blog post on safe co-sleeping habits OR look up ‘The Safe Sleep Seven’
Safely Co-Sleeping in the same bed prevents accidental mishaps when mothers may get ‘too tired’ while breastfeeding baby.
Room sharing can be a great alternative for those who do not want to co-sleep in the same bed. Having your baby sleep in the same room as you allows for more rest.
Partners Helping With Other Tasks
Non-breastfeeding partners can change the baby’s diaper before or after feeding.
Partners can also burp baby after feeding is done or even help rock them back to sleep.
Have Supplies Right at Your Bedside
Using a ‘night light’ (without blue light) can help keep the room dark and help baby and mom’s circadian rhythm.
Keeping snacks/drinks next to your bed is the best thing I ever did. Breastfeeding hunger is realllllll.
Breastfeeding at night is normal, natural, and beneficial. While nighttime feedings may seem challenging, they are an essential part of breastfeeding.
With the right support and education every mom can be successful on their breastfeeding journey. If you are needing more tailored 1:1 support please reach out to me here. I would be honored to help you!
Sources: Wilson-Clay, B., & Hoover, K. (2022). The Breastfeeding Atlas. LactNews Press.