PARENTS
Letting Your Baby Nurse All Night: Is It Okay?
It's a wonderful feeling when your baby falls asleep at your breast. But it's very risky when moms doze off, too.
Written by
Dr. Harvey Karp
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PARENTS
Written by
Dr. Harvey Karp
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Parents have slept with their babies since the beginning of time. In fact, one of the most delicious feelings a woman can experience is having her sweet baby sleep at her breast. In fact, it is so comforting that tired mums often find themselves falling asleep while nursing, too! And, unfortunately, that’s where it becomes risky.
A study of more than 2,000 breastfeeding mums revealed that 72% of those who nursed in bed fell sound asleep with their babies. And 44% fell asleep while nursing on a sofa or recliner. That is very worrisome because increasing numbers of babies suffocate when sleeping in their parents’ bed . . . and there is even a greater risk when sleeping on a sofa or chair!
If you insist on bed sharing there are ways to reduce your baby’s risk. But I would still caution you not to bed share for the first 9 to 12 months. Research shows that most new parents are sleep deprived, and when we are exhausted we have the same poor judgment and inattention as someone who’s drunk!
Video studies show that bed-sharing babies spend two-thirds of the night in the riskier side position and have their mouths covered with a sheet or blanket for more than an hour each night. When you are bone weary, you might not realise you are accidentally obstructing your baby’s face with a blanket or your arm.
Along with the comforting feeling of nursing your baby, breastfeeding also releases Oxytocin in your brain. The release of oxytocin can cause a relaxed and sleepy feeling.
You are probably exhausted from all the demands of early motherhood, and on top of that, your baby may be nursing at odd hours of the night. When you feel too drowsy to keep your eyes open while breastfeeding, there are a few tricks you can use to stay awake. Here are a few that we recommend:
Make sure to keep your baby in a separate sleeping space from your own. Keep your baby right next to your bed—in a co-sleeper, smart sleeper (like SNOO), or cot— but do not sleep together on a sofa or bring her into your bed.
Disclaimer: The information on our site is NOT medical advice for any specific person or condition. It is only meant as general information. If you have any medical questions and concerns about your child or yourself, please contact your health provider. Breastmilk is the best source of nutrition for babies. It is important that, in preparation for and during breastfeeding, mothers eat a healthy, balanced diet. Combined breast- and bottle-feeding in the first weeks of life may reduce the supply of a mother's breastmilk and reversing the decision not to breastfeed is difficult. If you do decide to use infant formula, you should follow instructions carefully.
