Mainstream advice ignores biology’s design
Nursing your baby to sleep is one of motherhood’s most blissful moments. But why do “experts” recommend against it?
At every turn, the mainstream advice tells us that nursing your baby to sleep creates “bad sleeping habits.” There is a cottage industry that has appeared around sleep training with “sleep experts” selling services on the best way to get your baby to sleep independently. Pediatricians have taken this advice on board and actively encourage sleep training. Even a holistic pediatrician, written up in the New York Times for their “crunchy” practices, recommended that we separate nursing from sleep for our newborn baby. Another pediatrician later recommended to us that we let our 9 month old “cry it out,” otherwise we will never sleep.
“Mainstream guidance ignores the intricate biological design of breastfeeding, which naturally promotes your baby’s sleep and fills their intense need for comfort and nurturing.”
Natural Brood
Mainstream guidance ignores the intricate biological design of breastfeeding, which naturally promotes your baby’s sleep and fills their intense need for comfort and nurturing. Instead, the mainstream focuses on what is perceived to be most convenient for the parents, and does not consider your baby’s innate needs.
Sure, if your baby can fall asleep by themselves—without a warm embrace from mom and a belly full of warm milk—there are several perceived benefits: it is less taxing on mom, dad can put baby to sleep, it is less time consuming, and baby is developing “independence.” However, in my humble opinion, not nursing your baby to sleep means you are not utilizing one of the most divine powers given to women. Mother and baby are missing out on one of the most nourishing bonding experiences, not to mention several biological benefits.
What are the benefits of nursing your baby to sleep?
1. Mom and baby fall asleep more quickly
Infants are biologically programmed to fall asleep while nursing. A hormone called cholecystokinin (CCK) is released in mother and baby’s gut during sucking, in turn inducing relaxation and sleep. (K Uvnas-Moberg et al, 1993).
Melatonin and tryptophan concentration in breastmilk increases during the night, also aiding infant sleep and establishment of circadian rhythm (Caba-Flores et al, 2022).
2. Milk production is bolstered during night time feeding
More prolactin, the hormone that is responsible for milk secretion, is produced at night, which bolsters milk supply. Prolactin also makes mothers feel sleepy and relaxed, helping them get back to sleep more quickly (WHO, 2009).
3. Fills mom’s and baby’s need for closeness, especially if separated during the day
Additionally, the oxytocin produced during breastfeeding has several psychological benefits, including stress reduction, and the promotion of bonding and affection. If a baby and mother are separated during the day, nursing at nighttime can help the mother-baby dyad reconnect (WHO, 2009).
Listen to your instincts
Next time you hear the “advice” about separating breastfeeding from sleep, feel free to politely tune it out. Instead, listen to your innate wisdom telling you to lean into the miracle that is nursing your baby to sleep.