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Night wakes and feeds are all the more common in breastfed babies—many studies have shown this, and it comes down to several factors, including breast milk digesting faster, breastfeeding for comfort, feeding and sleep associations, and more.
Here are my top tips for getting through the season of wakeful nights!
I found that when I thought we would have a great night because all the naps and stars aligned, we would have an awful night—and vice versa. Now, every night I prepare myself for a challenging night, and if it is, that's OK—I expected that! If it's a great night, bonus!
There’s nothing worse than having to rummage around in the middle of the night trying to find a new nappy and wipes, or worse—clothing and spare sheets if there’s a leak, spit-up, or a little “water fountain” while changing! Before you go to bed, set up a little station with a burp cloth, a few nappies, wipes, spare changes of clothing (onesie and swaddle), and spare sheets. Having it all on hand will make you feel like a supercharged mama when things go awry and you’re well-prepared.
Feeding in the night is thirsty work, and there’s nothing worse than waking up thirsty and having to trek all the way to the kitchen for some water—have a bottle or glass of water on your bedside table to quickly quench your thirst and get back to sleep.
If you use white noise all night, ensure the batteries on the device you are using are fully charged or connected to power so it doesn't cut out midway through the night and wake your baby. If you use white noise as a settling technique, be sure to have your playlist or tracks sorted so it's ready to go. If your baby starts crying, white noise can be incredibly calming and effective, but it feels like a lifetime if you can’t get your device or playlist going immediately.
We’re so quick to spend money on several cute, cozy, organic sleepsuits for our little ones (fair enough, too—they're so adorable). But what about ourselves? We need to be warm and comfortable to sleep well too. Breastfeeding-friendly pajamas, like those from our Milkbar Maternity and Breastfeeding sleepwear range, are essential for night feeding, especially in the cooler months. These pajamas not only provide easy access to the breast, but they also ensure you stay cozy and comfortable during those nighttime feeds, making the experience a little bit easier for both you and your baby.
I’m guilty of not doing this and have to remind myself often, but truly, if you get off to bed at a reasonable hour, your body and mind will thank you for it! If you’re getting up multiple times in the night, the awake time will be so much easier to cope with if you go to bed earlier.
Expressing some breast milk during the day to get enough for the first wake-up is a fantastic way to get a longer stretch of sleep. If your partner, hubby, or wife is up around the time of the first feed anyway, get them to feed your baby the expressed milk via bottle and re-settle them, then take the next feed—it’s amazing what a bit of unbroken sleep can do!
Well, actually it kind of is...as they say, you still won’t be sleeping when they’re a teen and go out to parties because you’ll worry (#mumlife). But know that this phase of multiple night-time feeds isn’t forever. In fact, it goes by quickly in the grand scheme of things, so while it can be hard, try to enjoy some of those nighttime cuddles and feeds—they’ll be gone before you know it! Soon, you’ll have a toddler who kisses you and says “ni-night,” waddles off to bed with a teddy, gets tucked in, and sleeps through the night. You've got this Mama!
Laura x
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