Breastfeeding and Baby Sleep

Breastfeeding and baby sleep are closely connected, but it’s not always easy to find the right rhythm. How does breast milk, or formula feeding, influence your baby’s sleep, from the maternity ward to the first months? Breastfeeding and baby sleep: let’s take a closer look.

The impact of breastfeeding on a baby’s sleep

The sleep of a breastfed baby has certain specificities related to the nature of breast milk and the physiology of lactation.

Particularities of sleep in breastfed babies

From the maternity ward onward, the first months are marked by short sleep cycles and frequent alternation between sleep phases and wakefulness. This can be explained by several factors:

• Fast digestion: breast milk is perfectly suited to the newborn and digests very quickly. Breastfed babies therefore often need to feed more frequently, including at night, to meet their energy needs and support healthy weight gain.
• Short sleep cycles: your infant alternates between active and quiet sleep every 40 to 50 minutes. Being close to you, especially during skin-to-skin contact or co-sleeping in a bedside crib, makes for gentle awakenings and reassures your baby, which encourages milk production through regular nipple stimulation.
• Physiological needs: your newborn seeks the breast not only for nourishment, but also for comfort, to fall asleep, and to calm crying. Suckling at the breast releases oxytocin, which promotes sleep in your baby.

It is therefore normal for a breastfed baby to wake more often at night, especially during the first weeks, as this ensures both safety and health. Night feeds are also essential for lactation and for preventing certain risks such as hypoglycemia or dehydration.

Comparison with formula feeding

Babies fed with a bottle, using infant formula, often have different sleep patterns: Because formula is slower to digest, some bottle-fed babies may have longer stretches between night wakings. However, every child is unique, and it’s not uncommon for bottle-fed babies to wake just as often at night, especially during growth spurts, weaning, or minor ailments. Whatever your choice regarding breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, it is essential to respond to your baby’s needs without trying to wake them unnecessarily or forcing a sleep rhythm that is not suited to their age.

Want to learn more? Feel free to download the May app, where you’ll find plenty of resources to support and guide you throughout your journey as a new parent.

Tips for promoting sleep during breastfeeding

Breastfeeding and sleep are closely linked for your baby. To help them toward peaceful nights, it’s essential to create a reassuring environment and establish regular routines, while respecting the natural rhythm of lactation and feeding.

Create a soothing sleep environment

A calm setting helps your baby fall asleep, whether you choose to breastfeed, use a breast pump, or bottle-feed.

• A quiet and safe room: set up a dedicated sleep space with a firm mattress, without pillows or thick blankets, to limit the risk of SIDS. Choose a small bassinet or a crib that gives your baby a sense of security, reminiscent of life in the womb.
• Light management: during the day, let in natural light and go about normal activities, even during naps. At night, opt for dim lighting during feeds or diaper changes. Also limit visual and auditory stimulation. This helps your baby differentiate between day and night.
• A reassuring routine: establishing familiar actions before bedtime calms your baby. Rocking, cuddling, or singing a gentle lullaby signals it’s time to sleep.
• Responding to cries: when your baby cries, they are expressing a need. Suckling at the breast or bottle, rocking, or swaddling (with care) can help soothe them and link sleep cycles together.
• Bedside sleeping: placing the crib in the parents’ bedroom makes night feeds easier without fully waking your baby. Note that bed-sharing in the same bed is not recommended.

Encourage a regular rhythm

Even though a breastfed baby’s sleep remains fragmented, consistent time cues help them learn the sleep-wake cycle.

• Consistent timing: try to keep regular wake-up, bedtime, and meal times, even on weekends. This helps structure the day and regulate your baby’s biological clock.
• Respect your child’s rhythm: don’t try to lengthen nighttime sleep by depriving your baby of naps or waking them during the day. Feeding frequency depends on their needs.
• Watch for signs of tiredness: yawning, rubbing eyes, fussiness… At the first signs, offer sleep to avoid difficulties falling asleep.
• Age-appropriate routine: for newborns, a simple feed-cuddle-song sequence is enough. Later, a bath or a story can be added. The key is to keep the routine stable and predictable.

Preserving parents’ rest

Parental fatigue is normal in the face of repeated night wakings, but there are ways to limit it and better cope with this period:

• Share the nights: if possible, take turns with your co-parent. For example, you breastfeed while your co-parent changes and settles the baby back to sleep.
• Practical organization: set up a comfortable breastfeeding area near the bed and keep everything you need within reach (pillow, glass of water, breast pump if necessary).
• Restorative naps: take advantage of your baby’s naps to rest yourself, even briefly.
• Ask for help: don’t hesitate to call on friends or family to take over for a few hours, especially during times of great fatigue.

In conclusion, breastfeeding and baby sleep are closely linked, but every child has their own rhythm, whether you choose breast milk, formula, or a combination of the two. Each experience is unique, and there is no universal solution. Trust yourself, respond to your baby’s needs, and don’t hesitate to ask for help if necessary. ** Photo credits: relucal | tonodiaz This text was translated from French by an artificial intelligence. The information, advice, and sources it contains comply with French standards and may therefore not apply to your situation. Make sure to complement this reading by visiting the May US/UK app and consulting the healthcare professionals who are supporting you.