Why do babies sleep when breastfeeding?
Most babies sleep while breastfeeding. What will be the reasons to sleep babies when breastfeeding? Here, we provide a few reasons. They are,
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Comfort and security
Physical closeness – Being close to the mother gives the baby a sense of security. The warmth and rhythmic sound of the mother’s heartbeat mimic the conditions in the womb, so they feel safe.
Sucking reflex – The act of sucking is a comfortable activity for the baby. It helps calm them down and often makes them drowsy.
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Hormonal effects
Oxytocin release – Breastfeeding releases oxytocin for both mother and baby. It is known as the “love hormone”. Oxytocin promotes bonding and relaxation making the baby sleepy.
Prolactin – Breastfeeding releases the hormone prolactin, which helps both baby and mother feel sleepy.
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Full belly
Contentment – Babies often feel satisfied after feeding. It allows them to sleep naturally.
Blood flow to the stomach – Digestion requires energy and blood flow to the stomach increases after eating, causing drowsiness.
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Warmth and gentle movements
Body warmth of mom – The mother’s warm body offers a comfortable environment for the infant to sleep.
Rocking motion – The gentle rocking during breastfeeding can mimic the movements your baby feels in the womb and further promote sleep.
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Natural sleep cycle
Sleep-wake cycle – Newborns have short sleep cycles and must be fed frequently. So it is natural for them to fall asleep after eating.
Tiredness – Feeding newborns can be exhausting. Because of this fatigue, babies fall asleep immediately after feeding or while feeding.
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Relaxation and comfort
Release of endorphins – Endorphins are released during breastfeeding. Those chemicals calm babies and help them fall asleep.
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Natural rhythms
Mother’s breathing and heartbeats – During breastfeeding, the rhythm of the mother’s breathing and heart rate calms the baby. Therefore, they can sleep easily.
Due to these factors, many babies sleep while breastfeeding. Hence, you should follow some tips to avoid it.
How can you encourage Babies to sleep independently?
It is a common situation for babies to fall asleep while breastfeeding. Babies sleep easily because of the comfort, warmth, and security they feel while breastfeeding. However, if your baby only sleeps while breastfeeding, it is a challenge for both of you. Thus, you should encourage your baby to sleep independently. Follow the steps below for that.
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Establish a consistent sleep routine
Create a bedtime routine – Bathe babies before bedtime. Also, let the baby feel that it is time to sleep by reading a story or singing a song before going to sleep.
Arrange a regular sleep schedule – Make your baby sleep at the same time and wake up at the same time every day. It is best to create a sense of predictability.
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Encourage full feeding
Ensure your baby is feeding fully – Encourage your baby to eat whole meals rather than snacks. It makes them satisfied and gets good sleep.
Switch nursing – if your baby tries to fall asleep while breastfeeding, switch breasts to keep them awake.
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Introduce other sleep associations
Use a pacifier – Babies get relief when sucking milk. Therefore, offering pacifiers helps with the transition from breastfeeding to sleep.
Introduce a comfort object – A soft blanket or toy can give your baby a comfortable sleep and make your baby feel safe when falling asleep.
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Practice putting the baby down when drowsy but awake
Gradually transition – If the baby is sleepy but awake after feeding, put them down. This helps to sleep independently without relying on breastfeeding.
Pat or rub their back – If the baby starts to fuss, do not pick them up immediately and comfort them. Rub their back gently for that.
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Separate feeding sleeping
Create a gap between feeding and sleep – Gradually, you can enhance the time between the end of feeding and the beginning of sleep. For that, engage in calm work like reading a book.
Find in different locations – Do not feed your baby from the sleeping position. Use another station for that. Then they do not associate eating with sleep.
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Gradual weaning from night feeds
Reduce night feeding – If your baby is old enough and gets enough nutrition during the daytime, gradually reduce the night feeding. This can be done by shortening feeding time or giving less milk.
Use a slow and gentle approach – Gradually reduce nursing time. Instead offer other forms of comfort such as singing or telling a story.
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Be patient and consistent
Consistency is key – You should be patient when your baby adjusts to new sleep habits. It may take time. However, it can help your baby learn to sleep without breastfeeding.
Offer reassurance – If your child becomes agitated, offer gentle reassurance without immediately calling for nursing care.
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Consult with a pediatrician or Lactation consultant
Get professional advice – If your baby is having trouble sleeping, see a pediatrician or lactation consultant for advice and support.
Conclusion
As previously mentioned, it is normal for babies to fall asleep while breastfeeding. Hence, you don’t think too much. Breastfeeding creates a comfortable, warm, and safe environment for babies which helps them sleep soundly. In addition, hormonal influences, warm and gentle massages, natural sleep cycles, natural rhythms, and many other factors cause babies to sleep while breastfeeding.
If your baby only sleeps while breastfeeding, it is a challenge for both you and your baby. Therefore, you should allow your baby to sleep independently. You can follow many methods for that. You can establish a consistent sleep routine, encourage full feeding, separate feeding sleeping, introduce other sleep associations, gradual weaning from night feeds, and more. However, if your baby continues to show sleep problems, see a doctor and get the necessary advice. Here we have provided more information about what to do if your baby only sleeps when breastfeeding. However, you can refer to more research papers to get further details.