Should you breastfeed during the night?

In the good old days (where they actually?) giving birth often meant spending maybe a week in the hospital. And the babies where taken out at night so that the mothers could get their sleep. When the kid then woke the nurse would come in and wake the mom to have her breastfeed the little one. This is not how it is today where many moms are sent home very soon after birth and the little family is left to figure things – like breastfeeding – to them selves.

So a bit of advice may be:

Keep the little one close so that you will immediately hear when he/she wakes and is hungry. This means that you can quickly start nursing and it may mean that the baby actually does not really wake up at all – and at least that it will fall a sleep again fast. But babies do have very small bellies and the will need to have them filled at short intervals so it is important that you also give it the time necessary for breastfeeding even during those sleepless nights. Do not stress and try to enjoy it (Nursing is a very special experience which will make you feel very close to him or her). And it will become less problematic and take less time to nurse over time.

Do not try to plan the night. Babies usually do not have a schedule and the need may change from night to night. So let your kid decide when nursing is necessary. I have breastfed all my three kids and there were absolutely no rhythm with any of them – sorry to say.

It may get easier if your lay you baby at your side while you are still lying on your side. Nurse with the lower breast first and then turn both of you to the other side.

Nurse well 😉