Why do I get so sleepy when I breastfeed?

The Sleepy Side of Breastfeeding: Understanding Maternal Fatigue
Breastfeeding is often heralded as a beautiful bonding experience between mother and child, but it can also come with unexpected challenges, one of which is a profound sense of sleepiness. Many new mothers report feeling drowsy during and after nursing sessions, and this phenomenon can be attributed to several physiological and psychological factors.
Hormonal Influences
One of the primary reasons mothers feel sleepy while breastfeeding is the release of the hormone prolactin. This hormone is crucial for milk production, but it also has a sedative effect. When a mother breastfeeds, prolactin levels rise, promoting relaxation and drowsiness. This response is not just a coincidence; it serves a purpose. By encouraging mothers to rest, prolactin helps ensure they conserve energy for the demanding task of caring for a newborn, who typically needs to nurse every 2-3 hours, leading to frequent interruptions in sleep.
Physical Exhaustion and Sleep Deprivation
The physical demands of breastfeeding can also contribute to fatigue. Producing milk requires significant energy, and the act of nursing itself can be physically taxing. New mothers often find themselves juggling the needs of their infants with their own, leading to a cycle of sleep deprivation. The reality is stark: many mothers experience a lack of sleep, which compounds feelings of tiredness during breastfeeding sessions.
Psychological Factors
Beyond the biological and physical aspects, psychological factors play a role in maternal fatigue. The emotional weight of caring for a newborn can be overwhelming. Mothers may feel anxious about their baby’s feeding habits or their own ability to produce enough milk, which can lead to increased stress and fatigue. This mental strain can manifest as sleepiness during nursing, as the body responds to stress by seeking rest.
Coping Strategies
To combat this fatigue, experts suggest several strategies. Prioritizing rest whenever possible is crucial. Mothers are encouraged to take naps when their babies sleep, ensuring they get some much-needed downtime. Additionally, maintaining proper nutrition and hydration can help bolster energy levels. Support from family and friends can also alleviate some of the burdens, allowing mothers to focus on both their own well-being and that of their child.
In conclusion, feeling sleepy while breastfeeding is a common experience rooted in hormonal changes, physical exertion, and psychological stress. Understanding these factors can help mothers navigate this challenging yet rewarding phase of motherhood, allowing them to find ways to manage their fatigue while nurturing their little ones.

How many hours of sleep does a nursing mom need?

This leads us to believe that shooting for 6 hours per night as a breastfeeding mom is a good goal. Some will do fine with a bit less, some will still feel like they didn’t get enough with more than 6.

What time of day is milk supply highest?

This is because the levels of the hormone prolactin, which drives milk production, are higher overnight. Prolactin levels seem to be highest between 2-6am. Using a dummy or pacifier to settle your baby can hide some of their early feeding cues, interfering with responsive breastfeeding.

Why do breastfeeding moms get more sleep?

In a US study, exclusively breastfeeding women averaged 30 min more nocturnal sleep than women who used formula at night, but measures of sleep fragmentation did not differ [25]. Lactation hormones such as prolactin help mothers adapt to the stresses of caring for an infant, including broken sleep [13, 26, 27].

When do you lose the most weight while breastfeeding?

In the Stockholm cohort, Ohlin and Rossner,23 similarly reported that greater duration and intensity of breast-feeding were associated with more weight loss from 2.5 to 6 months after delivery; however, overall weight loss from 2.5 to 12 months was similar, regardless of breast-feeding status.

Why does breastfeeding make you lose weight?

Breastfeeding makes your body burn calories which helps you lose weight. If you are patient, you may be surprised at how much weight you lose naturally while breastfeeding.

Why does breastfeeding make me sleepy?

Meanwhile, prolactin helps you make and maintain your milk supply. And, similar to our friend oxytocin, prolactin enhances relaxation and calm. Put all the pieces together, and you can see why you may feel relaxed, drowsy, or sleepy while breastfeeding.

Can breastfeeding drain your energy?

Sometimes you can be doing all the right things like getting adequate water, eating healthy foods and getting adequate rest, and you still feel tired. This is because breastfeeding and making your milk supply can wreak havoc on your nutritional intake, which can cause some serious low energy.

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.

Do breastfeeding hormones make you sleepy?

Research also shows that, overall, breastfeeding mothers get more sleep than mixed- and formula-feeding mothers. This is for a number of reasons, including the impact of natural hormones and chemicals released for baby and mother when breastfeeding at night.

How can I stop falling asleep while breastfeeding?

Ask someone to stay with you while you’re breastfeeding.
The person can wake you up if you start to doze off or can put the baby in a separate sleep area for you if you fall asleep. If you don’t have someone to help you stay awake, set a timer to go off every few minutes to keep you awake.