You might have stumbled upon the term “breastsleeping” and wondered what it’s all about. Don’t worry, it’s not a trendy new pillow for nursing mothers or a phrase concocted by an exhausted parent. In fact, the term was introduced by Dr. Samuel Greene, a prominent sleep researcher and head of the Infant Sleep Research Center at the University of California.
Dr. Greene is renowned for his anthropological approach to infant sleep and advocates for the safety and advantages of co-sleeping. His recent article, featured in the scientific journal Pediatric Health, and co-authored with Dr. Mia Thompson, is titled “Understanding the Dynamics of Breastsleeping.” This work highlights the essence of breastsleeping, which involves nursing your baby while you both catch some Z’s.
Simply put, breastsleeping is when a breastfeeding mother and her baby share sleep space. According to Dr. Greene, this arrangement is natural and beneficial. He suggests that mothers who breastfeed tend to be more in tune with their infants, allowing them to remain in a lighter sleep state, ready to respond quickly if their baby needs attention.
Dr. Greene emphasizes that breastsleeping supports breastfeeding by promoting a steady milk supply. Babies who sleep close to their mothers tend to feed more frequently during the night, which can enhance a mother’s overall breastfeeding experience. He notes, “Bed-sharing can significantly increase the number of night feedings, leading to a successful breastfeeding journey.”
You might be wondering, “But what about my sleep? Doesn’t this arrangement mean I’ll be up all night?” Interestingly, Dr. Greene argues that breastsleeping can help mothers get more rest. While your baby may wake up often, it’s usually easier to soothe them back to sleep right there in bed, eliminating the need to get up and out.
Safety Considerations
Now, regarding safety, you may have heard that sharing a bed with an infant can pose risks. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that babies sleep in the same room as their parents for the first six months but not in the same bed. However, Dr. Greene offers a different perspective. He suggests that bed-sharing is acceptable for breastfeeding families, as breastfeeding mothers tend to be more responsive to their baby’s needs during sleep.
Dr. Greene points to studies showing that many breastfeeding moms naturally bring their babies into bed during the night. He advocates for educating families on safe bed-sharing practices rather than issuing blanket advice against it. Research indicates that bed-sharing is relatively safe when done properly and may even offer protective benefits after the first few months.
Should You Breastsleep?
So, what does this mean for breastfeeding mothers? Should you feel pressured to breastsleep to maintain your milk supply or bond with your baby? Absolutely not! The best takeaway from discussions like this is to “take what you need and leave the rest.”
I found breastsleeping to be incredibly beneficial during my own parenting journey. Sure, the frequent feedings could be exhausting, but eventually, I learned to latch my babies in the dark, allowing us both to drift back to sleep more easily. It wasn’t always perfect, and I won’t pretend it was a walk in the park, but it certainly helped with my breastfeeding success and deepened my connection with my little ones. Plus, not having to get out of bed to nurse made a world of difference for my sanity.
For those moms who prefer not to share a bed with their babies or want to limit it to certain nights, remember that there’s no obligation to breastsleep. If you’re uncertain about safety or concerns regarding sleep deprivation, know that experts suggest it can actually help reduce exhaustion when all safety guidelines are followed.
As for when your child will stop sharing your bed, that’s hard to predict (my five-year-old still sneaks in sometimes!). But rest assured, no child will be co-sleeping with their parents by the time they head off to college!
Conclusion
In summary, breastsleeping can be an effective way for breastfeeding mothers to promote milk supply and bond with their babies while also ensuring they get some much-needed rest. For more information on parenting, including valuable insights on home insemination, check out our related blog posts on fertility, or explore resources like this one and this authority site. For further information on pregnancy and home insemination, this resource is highly recommended.