Breastsleeping matters

#breastsleeping is the term coined by Dr James McKenna to describe the biologically-normal practice of breastfed babies sleeping close to their mother during the night attached to or within reach of the breast.

Expectations of infants and breasts to pause for long periods of time overnight make no sense. Babies grow 24/7 and they refuel 24/7. Bressts make milk 24/7.

Removal of milk from the breast stimulates production. Mothers in the light sleep stage of sleep may wake slightly in response to fuller breasts. Babies in light sleep stages might wake slightly seek the breast. Without either fully waking, they make small movements to bring breast and baby together and settle back into a sleepy state. The baby removes milk from the breast and prolactin is released into the bloodstream. This stimulates milk production and the breasts begin to refill.

Mother and baby slip back into sleep, leaving the breasts to do their work. When the cycle starts over, the milk is ready and waiting.

Just as it does in daylight hours, the proximity of mother and baby means feeding cues are quickly recognised and feeding begins before the baby becomes distressed. There is less crying. Bed partners and others in the household are unlikely to be woken, even if the baby wakes multiple times a night. Mothers sleep is disturbed but not fully interrupted. She is unsure the following day how long they slept or how often they fed. She is tired but not exhausted. She prepares for #breastsleeping and practices it safely.

#breastsleeping mothers are more likely to meet their long-term #breastfeeding goals.