Baby Sleep

FAQ 12: Why doesn't my baby sleep through the night? Why does my baby wake up often to nurse at night

Nursing to sleep is a biological norm, Your child is wired to do so. Any time spent at the breast helps build your supply and gives your child immunities through your milk. The breast is your child's safe place where they feel warm and secure. It is normal for a child to fall asleep at the breast. Suckling, the closeness, the warmth, the hormones in milk, are all conducive to falling asleep. It is developmentally appropriate. She will outgrow the need as she grows. Also a child would know that different people who care for them do so differently. When with you, She expects to fall asleep at the breast while when with the dad, she will find an alternative: rocking, cuddling, snuggling, singing, carrying etc. Trust your child and your husband/family/caretakers to find what works for them.

Kids start sleeping longer when they are developmentally ready for it.

Try to rest/ sleep with the child when possible. Get some additional help with your chores/ delegate them to family members/ do them once your partner is at home so that you're not burdened.

Breastfed children nurse through the night and for a good reason. These links should be useful:

http://themilkmeg.com/9-reasons-you-should-keep-breastfeeding-your-child-to-sleep/

https://breastfeedchicago.wordpress.com/2013/05/24/5-cool-things-no-one-ever-told-you-about-nighttime-breastfeeding/

http://themilkmeg.com/why-our-breastfed-babies-and-toddlers-wake-so-frequently/

http://www.buzzfeed.com/patricksmith/its-evolution-baby

http://kellymom.com/bf/normal/comfortnursing/

DISCLAIMER: THE FAQ ARTICLES ARE INTENDED AS A SOURCE OF BASIC INFORMATION AND AN EXTENSION OF SUPPORT FROM BREASTFEEDING PARENTS TO BREASTFEEDING PARENTS. IT DOES NOT CLAIM TO REPLACE ANY MEDICAL ADVICE.
* MEDICAL DISCLAIMER: THE ADVICE SUGGESTED BY THE LACTATION CONSULTANTS/STANPAN SAATHIS/WEBINAR HOSTS ARE THEIR OWN. TO ACCEPT AND TO ACT ON THOSE IS AT THE SOLE DISCRETION OF THE INDIVIDUAL WHO IS SEEKING SUPPORT. IN NO WAY SHOULD THE ADVICE GIVEN REPLACE A MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS OR ADVICE FROM A QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL. IF THAT HAPPENS, IT'S AT THE SOLE DISCRETION OF THE INDIVIDUAL WHO CHOOSES TO DO THAT. BSIM WILL NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE OR LIABLE FOR ANY CONSEQUENCES.

WE UNDERSTAND AND ACKNOWLEDGE THAT PARENTS AND BABIES CAN BE OF VARIOUS GENDERS ON A SPECTRUM OF THE LGBTIQA+. FAMILIES COME IN DIVERSE FLAVOURS. HOWEVER, IN OUR ARTICLES, FOR THE SAKE OF SIMPLICITY AND CONVENIENCE, WE WILL BE REFERRING TO THE BREASTFEEDING PARENT AS THE MOTHER AND USING THE FEMALE PRONOUNS- 'SHE' AND 'HER' FOR BABIES. BABIES CAN BE NOURISHED AND NURTURED IN DIFFERENT WAYS AND WHILE WE HAVE USED THE TERMS BREASTFEEDING AND NURSING, WE RECOGNIZE THAT PARENTS CAN OPT TO CHEST FEED OR FINGER FEED.

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