Does breastfeeding make a baby more tired?

The Connection Between Breastfeeding and Baby Fatigue
Breastfeeding is often heralded as a natural and beneficial way to nourish infants, but many new parents wonder if it contributes to their baby’s tiredness. The relationship between breastfeeding and fatigue is multifaceted, involving both physiological and environmental factors.
Hormonal Influences on Sleepiness
One of the primary reasons breastfeeding can make a baby feel more tired is the hormonal changes that occur during the process. When a mother breastfeeds, hormones such as prolactin and oxytocin are released. Prolactin is known for its role in milk production, but it also promotes feelings of calm and relaxation, which can lead to drowsiness in both the mother and the baby. Oxytocin, often referred to as the “love hormone,” enhances bonding and can also induce sleepiness. This hormonal cocktail can create a soothing environment that encourages sleep, making it common for babies to doze off during or shortly after feeding.
Energy Expenditure and Nutritional Needs
Breastfeeding is not just a simple act of feeding; it requires significant energy. Producing breast milk can consume up to 25% of a mother’s energy. This energy expenditure can lead to fatigue in mothers, which may indirectly affect their babies. When mothers are tired, they may be less responsive or engaged during feeding times, potentially leading to shorter or less stimulating feeding sessions. This can result in babies feeling less alert and more prone to sleepiness.
Moreover, the nutritional demands of breastfeeding are substantial. Mothers are advised to consume an additional 450-500 calories per day to support milk production. If a mother is not meeting these nutritional needs, her energy levels may drop, which can affect her ability to engage with her baby during feeding, potentially leading to a cycle of increased tiredness for both.
Environmental Factors and Sleep Patterns
The environment in which breastfeeding occurs also plays a crucial role in a baby’s alertness. Many mothers breastfeed in a calm, quiet setting, which can promote relaxation and sleepiness. Additionally, the frequent night feedings that often accompany breastfeeding can disrupt a baby’s sleep cycle, leading to increased tiredness. Babies may wake more often to feed, which can lead to a pattern of fragmented sleep, contributing to overall fatigue.
Conclusion: A Natural Cycle of Fatigue
In summary, while breastfeeding itself does not inherently make a baby more tired, the combination of hormonal influences, energy expenditure, and environmental factors can create a scenario where babies may appear sleepier. This is a natural part of the breastfeeding experience, reflecting the intricate bond between mother and child. Understanding these dynamics can help parents navigate the challenges of fatigue during this critical period of development.

How much energy is lost during breastfeeding?

Breastfeeding can also help you manage or lose your postpartum weight. Moms burn about 500 extra calories a day while producing breast milk, which could lead to faster weight loss after birth. Although that doesn’t mean breastfeeding is a weight loss miracle, it can jumpstart the process.

Does breastfeeding make babies more sleepy?

However, since breast milk is more easily digestible than formula, babies who breastfeed are likely to wake up more frequently than formula-fed babies, as they will get hungrier faster. However, the melatonin in breast milk will facilitate their sleep, so right after the feeding, they’ll go back to sleep easily.

When do babies no longer need night feeds?

between 2 – 4 months
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics [2], most formula-fed babies no longer need night feedings between 2 – 4 months of age.

How many hours should a breastfeeding mom sleep?

Like any other adult, a nursing mother should strive for 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night. She has to get adequate sleep in order to maintain her health and have the energy necessary to care for her child. She may benefit from short naps throughout the day to feel more rested.

Why does my baby sleep a lot while breastfeeding?

Your baby may become sleepy when milk flow slows down. It’s normal for there to be times during a nursing session when the milk flows faster — this is usually during letdown — and times when it slows. But some babies get frustrated when this happens and tend to zonk out.

What are the side effects of breastfeeding hormones?

Breastfeeding and hormonal changes
Decreased estrogen levels impact vaginal tissue, temporarily decreasing elasticity, blood flow, and thinning of the tissue. These vaginal changes cause symptoms like vaginal dryness, itching, burning, irritation, painful intercourse, urinary frequency, and urgency.

Do babies get tired from breastfeeding?

Getting a deep, comfortable latch is crucial. If your baby is not latched on well at the breast, they will have to work harder to get your milk. They may tire easily and fall asleep. Sometimes just a small adjustment to the way your baby comes to the breast can make a huge difference.

Does breastfeeding take up energy?

Breastfeeding especially burns up a lot of energy (kilojoules). Some of the energy will come from the fat you laid down in pregnancy. However, most women will need to eat extra snacks to meet their energy needs.

Why is my baby so sleepy after feeding?

Breastmilk includes hormones that promote relaxation in babies, which often makes them sleepier. The environment is set up to cue your baby’s brain that it’s time for sleep (dark room, sound machine is on, etc). Your baby associates feeding with sleep.

Does breastfeeding increase fatigue?

Postpartum fatigue is a normal condition that most women experience. Breastfeeding is often associated in women’s minds as contributing to the feeling of overall perceived fatigue, and many women indicate that they have ceased breastfeeding because of fatigue.