Sleep is a vital part of human health and well-being. It allows the body to recover from physical and emotional wear and helps to maintain an optimal mood. When pregnant, sleep is especially important for the mother because it helps her body to produce the hormone oxytocin, which is essential for breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding involves a lot of sleep deprivation for both mother and baby. A newborn baby needs 12-14 hours of sleep per day, while a 1-year-old needs 10-11 hours per day. For mothers who work outside of the home, breastfeeding may require up to 14 hours of uninterrupted sleep per day in order to provide enough nourishment for their babies.
Sleep deprivation can have serious consequences for both mother and baby. Mothers who don’t get enough sleep may be more likely to experience postpartum depression, low milk production, difficulty bonding with their babies, and difficulty breastfeeding. Babies who are not getting enough rest may be less alert during daytime activities and have lower IQs than their peers.
How Sleep Deprivation Affected Mother’s Breastfeeding Experience
Sleep deprivation can have a significant impact on breastfeeding. One mother told us that she experienced difficulty breastfeeding when she was sleep-deprived. Her milk production decreased, and she found it difficult to connect with her baby. Sleep deprivation can also interfere with the baby’s ability to fall asleep and stay asleep, meaning that they may not be as rested when they wake up in the morning.
How Sleep Deprivation Can Affect Your Milk Supply And Baby’s Alertness
If you’re struggling to get enough sleep, your breast milk supply could be impacted. When you’re tired, your body’s natural production of oxytocin and prolactin decreases. This can lead to lower milk production, which in turn can leave your baby more alert and awake during the day. Additionally, lack of sleep can also lead to reduced milk supply because it takes a lot of energy to produce milk while you’re exhausted.
Tips On How To Get A Good Night’s Sleep
Sleep deprivation is a common problem for new mothers. If you’re breastfeeding, it’s important to get enough sleep so that you can keep your milk production up and your baby healthy. Here are some tips on how to get a good night’s sleep you’ll need while breastfeeding.
- Make sure that you get enough sleep each day. It’s recommended that new mothers get at least seven hours of sleep each day, but you may need more if you’re breastfeeding.
- Make sure your baby is sleeping in a secure crib or bassinet. This will help ensure that he or she doesn’t roll off of his or her side and end up with a cold breast due to SIDS. You can also try using a pacifier if he or she wakes during the night.
- Don’t eat late at night. Eating late at night can lead to disruptions in your sleep cycle and increased milk production in women who are breastfeeding. Stick to around dinner time for meals if you want to maximize milk production while breastfeeding.
- Avoid caffeine and alcohol before bedtime. They’ll keep you awake and disrupt your circadian rhythm, which is the natural cycle that regulates energy levels throughout the day and into the evening hours.
- Establish a regular sleep schedule as soon as possible after giving birth. Sleeping in on weekends or taking naps during the day can be tough, but it’s important to get a good night’s sleep every day to avoid fatigue during the week.
- Take a short nap after lunchtime if you’re feeling tired from nursing during the day. This will give you enough energy to continue nursing without feeling tired later on in the day.
- Keep your bedroom dark and quiet at night to induce relaxation and improve sleeping quality overall. Be sure to avoid disturbing factors such as bright lights or loud noises in your bedroom.
- Keep a cool room temperature while breastfeeding if possible. Breastfeeding mothers who keep their room temperature around 66 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) have been shown to produce more milk than those who keep their room temperature cooler (between 55-65 degrees Fahrenheit/13-18 degrees Celsius).
