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The Sleepy Side of Breastfeeding: Understanding Maternal Fatigue
For many new mothers, the experience of breastfeeding often comes hand-in-hand with an overwhelming sense of fatigue. If you’ve found yourself dozing off while nursing, you’re certainly not alone. This phenomenon can be attributed to a combination of hormonal changes, physical demands, and the overall exhaustion that accompanies caring for a newborn.
Hormonal Influences
One of the primary reasons breastfeeding can induce sleepiness 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, which can lead to feelings of drowsiness and relaxation. This natural response is the body’s way of encouraging mothers to rest, which is essential for recovery and bonding with their baby.
Physical Demands and Energy Expenditure
Breastfeeding is not just a simple act; it requires significant energy. Producing milk is a demanding process that can leave mothers feeling drained. The act of nursing itself can burn calories, and when combined with the frequent feedings that newborns typically require—often every 2-3 hours—it’s no wonder that many mothers report feeling exhausted. The sheer frequency of these feedings can disrupt sleep patterns, leading to cumulative fatigue.
Sleep Disruption and Newborn Care
In addition to the hormonal and physical factors, the overall lifestyle changes that come with a newborn contribute to maternal tiredness. New mothers often face interrupted sleep, as babies need to be fed multiple times throughout the night. This lack of continuous, restorative sleep can exacerbate feelings of fatigue, making it difficult for mothers to stay alert during breastfeeding sessions.
Coping with Fatigue
While the sleepy sensation during breastfeeding is a common experience, there are strategies that mothers can employ to manage their energy levels. Ensuring adequate rest, maintaining proper nutrition, and staying hydrated are crucial steps in combating fatigue. Additionally, seeking support from family or lactation consultants can provide practical help and emotional reassurance, allowing mothers to navigate this challenging period more effectively.
In conclusion, the sleepiness that accompanies breastfeeding is a multifaceted issue rooted in hormonal changes, physical demands, and the challenges of new parenthood. Understanding these factors can help mothers recognize that their feelings of fatigue are normal and encourage them to seek support and self-care during this transformative time.
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].
What age should you stop nursing your baby to sleep?
By the age of 6 months, many babies don’t need the breast or a bedtime bottle for nourishment, and by 9 months, very few need the extra calories and nutrients.
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.
How many hours of sleep does a breastfeeding mom need?
6 hours
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.
How long does it take for hormones to balance after breastfeeding?
The return to pre-pregnancy hormone levels can vary greatly, but generally hormones will normalize within three to six months. If you are breastfeeding, as you wean from it, your prolactin and oxytocin levels will drop—potentially leaving you feeling sad, anxious or irritable.
Can breastfeeding make you fall asleep?
The researchers, with UVA Health and UVA Health Children’s, are urging care providers to provide additional guidance for new parents on safe feeding practices, such as informing new moms that a hormone naturally released during breastfeeding will make them feel sleepy.
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.
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.
Why do I get so tired when I breastfeed?
Prolactin And Oxytocin
They might make you feel relaxed while breastfeeding — which can lead to drowsiness.
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.
