(lactation activist)
A Motherlode of Breastfeeding Information
Getting Sleep
One of the biggest concerns of new parents is how to cope with the loss of sleep. Every baby has a different set of sleep needs. Many babies are born and sleep through the night very quickly, others don't sleep through the night for quite a while. Just as each adult has a sleep personality so does each baby. Many adults need at least 8 hours of sleep while some are refreshed with less than 6. Babies are also unique in their requirements for sleep.
Babies sleep differently than adults. Their phases of sleep are quicker and they go through many more cycles than do adults. This cycling through sleep can cause a baby to wake during each light sleep phase. This is a survival technique that is programmed in their genes. Waking throughout the night ensures that a new baby can get plenty of nutrition by nursing at each waking. A newborn's metabolism operates at a much faster pace than an adult does. A faster metabolism needs nutrition readily available. One of the problems with formula is that it takes so long to digest, leaving a baby without available nutrients during the long digestion process. The digestion of formula also takes much more energy than digesting breastmilk. Although your baby may sleep better with formula is it worth the strain put on his body?
"Is she sleeping through the night?" One of the most common questions heard by new parents can be very undermining in a subtle way. The answer to this question has no bearing on your parenting. This question only addresses the child's underlying personality. To expect parents to change a baby's personality is unrealistic. If your child isn't sleeping through the night you can feel like a failure when you hear this question. Is my baby supposed to be sleeping through the night, you might ask yourself. There is no one right answer. Your baby will sleep through the night when they are developmentally ready to do so. By being there for your baby during the night and responding to her needs you are allowing her to develop on a natural pace. This ultimately will teach your child how to get himself to sleep. Isn't that the goal as parents, to teach our child how to care for herself? We teach this by the act of caring for her and allowing her to see how that looks.
Changing our attitudes about sleeping with a new baby can make all the difference in the world. If you don't expect to get sleep, you won't be resentful that you aren't getting it. Co-sleeping or a "family bed", as many call it, can be one of the best ways to get more sleep. Having your baby at arms reach can mean much more time spent sleeping instead of traveling around the house. This also allows the breastfed baby and mother to get into a sleeping rhythm. When babies and mothers sleep together they tend to synchronize sleep cycles. This helps the mother to feel more refreshed with less sleep because she isn't being woken during deep sleep cycles. With mom and baby in rhythm they both come to waking about the same time allowing the deep sleep to occur uninterrupted. Many mothers find that they can fall right back to sleep while nursing. These extra minutes of sleep can make a big difference over the long-term.
Napping with your baby during the day can help to keep you fresh. The pull of work to be done is often very strong but the dishes will wait. Your baby relies on you being healthy and clear-headed. The more sleep you can get the better parent you will be. Take a nap with baby and when you both wake up feeling well you can then put baby in the sling and do the dishes.
The best things you can do for your newborn are to breastfeed her and take care of yourself. Realize that the breastfeeding relationship is one of the shortest, most intimate relationships of your life. Take the time to be with your baby and know that when they are older you can get sleep, but you can never have them as babies again.
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DISCLAIMER: This web site is designed for educational purposes only. You should not rely on this information as a substitute for medical attention, or diagnosis. If you are having breastfeeding difficulties, please contact an IBCLC near you for assistance. If you have any questions consult your family's health care provider. In some instances, the information represents opinion or judgment. Neither the information providers nor the Site owner guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any information in this website nor will they be responsible for any errors or omissions or for the results obtained from the use of such information. The Site owner and the information providers will not be liable or responsible to any person(s) for any loss or damage caused whatsoever by the use of information or ideas referenced in this web site. Your participation in this service therefore is solely at your own risk.