For many moms, nursing a baby to sleep is a peaceful, relaxing habit that comes naturally to both them and their babies. Unfortunately, it?s likely not the best way to set your baby up for a restful night?s sleep.
?Babies arouse two to six times in the night as a result of normal healthy sleep rhythms,? explains Pamela Mitelman, a Montreal-based clinical psychologist who specializes in paediatric sleep. But they don?t necessarily fully wake up every time. The difference between a slight arousal or a full-blown wakeup" Sometimes it?s if they?re dependent on something to get them back to sleep. It could be rocking, a pacifier or nursing?whatever it is, if it isn?t there, they?ll wake up looking for it. So, if your baby develops a need to nurse to fall asleep, they could potentially fully wake up needing you at every little arousal?basically every 90 to 120 minutes in the night.
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What to do if your baby falls asleep breastfeedingIn the early days, it?s virtually impossible for your newborn not to doze off while nursing because his circadian rhythm hasn?t been established and breastmilk is a natural sleep inducer. So if your baby is less than two months old, try not to worry that much when you see his eyes close mid-feed. That said, you can i...