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Breastfeeding, sleep and other needs of little babiesThere is abundant information on breasteeding and sleep in English language and that's why I keep full version of this web-site in Slovak only. However, there is one general problem with all that information. I was never lucky enough to find a book or web-site which would tell me how to successfully breastfeed for at least a year AND teach my baby healthy sleep habits as well! Sleep experts seem not to take into account breastfeeding problems and basic principles of successful breastfeeding, for example number of feedings necessary to keep your supply - which may include night feedings a bit longer than they suppose. On the other hand, breasfeeding specialists completely ignore the fact that babies need to sleep! Unrestricted breasfeeding often leads to lack of any routine and drastical reduction and fragmentation of baby's sleep.Certainly, there is a lot of babies which feed and sleep without any problems. Unfortunately, mine wasn't one of them. Now, when she is not a baby any more, I know what I should have done but often realized too late. On this page I shortly explain my opinion, the most useful facts and list my favourite books and links. First 3-4 monthsFirst weeks are often most difficult and it is the time when things get usually tough. For many babies it is not possible to keep any routine. They need to be fed often, go through growthspurts, have gas, are unsettled in the evening. The most important thing to remember is that it will eventually get easier. For most babies within first one or two months and for virtually all by the time they reach 4 months. Do not give up breastfeeding in this first period because then you will be likely to experience only the tougher part and skip the reward.BreastfeedingFor successful breastfeeding feed your baby often and on demand, make sure the breasts are always thoroughly drained and supplement only if the baby is not gaining adequate weight. If you want to give suplements, keep it to one evening bottle unless your baby is drastically underweight. Your baby should be feeding 8-12 times a day in the first month and up to 8 times later. If you need to increase your supply you may need to go back to feeding 8-12 times, but this should be only temporary, usually 3 days. If you have problems with brestfeeding look at more information about breastfeeding.SleepDo not suppose that babies are always hungry when they cry. You should never allow them to be awake longer than 2 hours, otherwise they will cry from exhaustion. They should sleep about 14-15 hours a day. Try to put them to bed early in the evening to prevent evening fussiness. Most of the babies will be prepared for early bedtime (7pm) at about 6 weeks. By the time they are 4 months they will probably take regular morning nap at about 9-10am. Even though your baby may be very young, it is not probable that he needs more than 2-3 feeds at night. If you feed him every hour or two at night, it may be that you jump to feed him too quickly. You may try to let him whimper a little and see whether he will not go back to sleep. If this does not help, you may wait a few weeks and try some form of sleep training at about 4 months (more info).4-6 monthsBreastfeedingDuring this time everything tends to get much easier, even for the most difficult babies. Your baby should start being more regular. You will probably need to feed him 5-7 times a day depending on your disposition. You may still want to breastfeed on demand and if it doesn't have negative impact on sleep, it's all right. But many babies will develop feeding routine if encouraged by parents. However, you should avoid feeding him more than twice a night otherwise you are in risk of developing night-time sleep problem. Babies go through a big growthspurt between 5 and 6 months and you may find your baby more unsettled and sleeping less for a few days. However, this should be only temporary. If you feel that you have long-term problem with low milk supply, feed your baby more often for two weeks and things should improve.WeaningWeaning is not recommended anymore before 6 months of age and the truth is that what babies really need at this age is milk. If you find exclusive breastfeeding too exhausting, consider a bottle of expressed milk or formula before bedtime to help you both get good night sleep. If you want start solids give a small amount of baby rice with expressed milk or formula for dinner and later also for lunch. Give solids always after breastfeeding. If your baby is not interested in eating solids after his milk feed he may not need it yet.SleepYour baby needs to sleep about 14 hours a day, divided between long night-time sleep and 2-3 daytime naps. Put your baby to bed early to avoid sleep problems. Naps should become regular, divided between morning, lunchtime and variable afternoon nap. Each nap should take at least 45 min - 1 hour, otherwise it will not be refreshing enough. If your baby still wakes often at night you may consider sleeptraining. He will genuinly need 1-2 night feeds but all other feeds should be dropped by 6 months to avoid night-time sleep problems. Your baby may wake up more often from time to time due to illness or teething but this should be always only temporary. If your baby is not sleeping enough or wakes at night too often, look at more information about sleep.6-9 monthsBreastfeedingUntil about 8 months milk is still the most important source of baby's nutrition and it is very important that it is not replaced by solids too quickly. Babies still need their 5-7 breastfeeds. Many women who breastfeed their babies only 3-4 times a day find that their milk is slowly drying out and are likely to wean their babies within couple of months.WeaningAfter 6 months babies should be introduced 2-3 small meals given always after milk. If amount of milk they drink is reduced too quicky thay may start waking at night to make up for their daily need. When they reach 8-9 months, solids can be slowly moved before milk feed and can start replacing milk.SleepThis is the time when sleep problems often begin and some parents might struggle preventing excessive night-time waking. Babies often start waking due to teething. It is now time to teach your baby to fall asleep on his own and insist on feeding him no more than twice a night. Solutions on all kinds of sleep problems can be found here.9-12 monthsNow is the definite time to end all demand feeding and introduce flexible, yet predictable routine. Your baby's biological clock are mature and ready to function properly. He will also need his unbroken night-time sleep, so you may consider to end his last two night-time feedings. You may also choose to reduce the number of breasfeedings now, depending on how soon you want to wean your baby. When babies are close to reaching one year they stop growing so quickly and do not require as many nutrutients as before. They may respond very quicky and without much crying to your efforts to stop those last night-time feedings. Look especially at Elizabeth Pantley's book for gentle solutions.More information about BreastfeedingIf you have problems with breastfeeding try this link: www.kellymom.com/bf. The best book about breastfeeding I've come across is Kathleen Huggins: The Nursing Mother's Companion (it is available from amazon.co.uk). You can also ask Kathleen or one of her colleagues about your problems on buletin board Breastfeeding Problems. You will need to register at www.babycenter.com to get there.More information about sleepSome useful information about sleep can be found at babycenter.com. Very good review of current gentle techniques how to help your baby sleep well can be found in easy to read book Elizabeth Pantley: The no-cry sleep solution. The best known Ferber method which uses controlled crying is described in Dr Richard Ferber: Solve your child's sleep problems. Plenty of usefull information about sleep in Marc Weissbluth: Healthy sleep habits, happy child is a bit difficult to read. Finally you may want to look at detailed routines created by Gina Ford but do not expect to keep your milk supply for long if you want to breastfeed exactly according to her advice! Gina Ford: The new contented little baby book and Gina Ford: The complete sleep guide.All books listed here are available from www.amazon.co.uk. There is also plenty of others, so if you need something specific, browse among them yourself, I am sure you will find what you need! Last changed: 30 September 2004 |