Baby won’t sleep at night?
Here's some tips to help you get through the day.
Most young babies wake several times or more during the night and need help from a parent to fall back to sleep.
This happens no matter how you feed your baby. Having broken sleep comes with being a parent of young children.
Breastfeeding at night
Did you know, breastfeeding can actually help you get more sleep and manage night feeds more easily?
- Research has shown that mums who exclusively breastfeed their babies (3 months and younger) get more sleep overnight than those who feed their babies formula in the evening. In fact, one study reported that parents who fed their baby formula in the evening or at night lost out on 40-45 minutes of sleep each night, on average.
- When a baby breastfeeds, the hormone cholecystokinin (CCK) is released in both mum and baby. This hormone makes you and your baby feel sleepy which helps you both go back to sleep more quickly. Other hormones in breastmilk also help baby to sleep.
- When breastfed babies sleep close to their mums, they tend to have the same sleep patterns. So when your baby stirs you’ll also be ready to wake. This makes it much easier to feed your baby and fall asleep again.
Will formula help my baby sleep?
You may have been told that formula or solid foods can help babies to sleep. However, there is no research to back this up.
Try some of the following tips to cope with the lack of sleep.
Managing the nights
Have your baby sleep nearby so you can respond to them more quickly. You'll spend less time awake and it will be easier to get back to sleep. Red Nose Australia recommends that your baby sleeps in the same room as you do for at least the first 6 months to reduce the risk of sudden infant death.
Keep lights low at night and get plenty of natural light during the day. This helps baby develop their day-night rhythm more quickly. It also boosts your own and your baby’s level of melatonin (sleepy hormone), which can help both of you sleep better at night.
- Change your baby’s nappy before a feed if you need to, or between breasts (if your baby takes both breasts) so you can both get back to sleep quickly after the feed.
- Some families like to put baby to sleep in their own cot at the start of the night then co-sleep after baby wakes. You may like to move to a mattress on the floor where you both sleep after the feeds. Or bring baby into your bed after the first feed. If you choose to co-sleep, take care to do it safely.
Take naps and get exercise
Sleep when your baby sleeps! Even if you find you can't go to sleep, just resting is better than nothing. Lie down and close your eyes and relax. You may even drift off to sleep without planning to.
You may be able to have a friend or family member care for your baby while you take a nap. It may be most helpful to do this straight after a breastfeed, so you get maximum sleep before your baby needs another feed.
Do some physical activity such as a brisk walk during the day. Many people find that exercise helps them to sleep better at night.
Reduce household tasks and unnecessary outings when you're feeling especially run-down.
Share the load
If there are two of you parenting, or if you have another support person, take turns to get up to baby in the night. Your partner might change baby's nappy and bring them in to you for a feed.
One parent can go to bed early while the other cares for baby.
One gets up with baby in the morning while the other sleeps in.
Have a family member or friend care for your baby while you have some 'me-time'.
© Australian Breastfeeding Association January 2024
Learn more about coping without much sleep
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Newborn Virtual Village - Sleep and breastfeeding patterns in the early weeks
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