10 things you can do to stay awake while breastfeeding

It gives comfort. New moms know that supporting the weight of a nursing baby can be hard on the shoulders, arms, and back. Nursing in a lying-down position eases the strain on her upper body. It allows the mom's body to rest. And if the mom is comfortable, the better and longer her breastfeeding journey will be. Moreover, moms say that find that night feeds are easier while laying down. 

Clogged ducts. It is common for a breastfeeding moms to experience some troubles at the start of their breastfeeding journey, such as a clogged milk duct in her breast. Lactation consultants recommend nursing in different positions to help relieve and avoid clogged ducts. One of the recommended positions is side-lying. It is also helpful for mothers with large breasts.

However, as mentioned earlier, one of the most dangerous side effects of breastfeeding while lying down is sleeping. Because so many accidents can happen when a baby is unattended, which you'll find out here.

Nursing while sleeping: Why does it happen?

When a mother breastfeeds, she produces oxytocin, a hormone that reduces anxiety and promotes a special emotional bond with her newborn child. Oxytocin, popularly known as "the love hormone," is a powerful hormone that, while it promotes good breastfeeding, has one potentially serious adverse effect: it also promotes sleep.

“New mothers are sleep-deprived and understandably stressed,” says neonatologist and safe sleep and breastfeeding specialist Michael Goodstein, MD.

“Add to that a state of hormone-induced calm and it’s not surprising that mothers struggle to stay awake while breastfeeding. Falling asleep is the natural inclination,” he adds.

According to previous studies, oxytocin counters the effects of cortisol, which is the known as the stress hormone. So it is but natural that moms will feel more relaxed when breastfeeding their babies. So much so that oftentimes, we can't help but doze off. 

Side effects of sleeping while breastfeeding

It is common for babies, especially newborns, to nurse several times during the night. For moms, the first few weeks or periods of growth surges can feel like a feeding marathon. With such little and interrupted sleep, feeling tired and "out of it" during a breastfeeding session is very normal.

According to a survey of over 2,000 women, 72 percent of those who nurse their newborns in bed fall asleep with their babies. And 44 percent dozed out while night feeding on a sofa or recliner. This is highly concerning because a growing number of babies suffocate when sleeping in their parents' bed, and the risk is significantly higher when sleeping on a sofa or chair!

Moreover, research proves that most new parents are sleep-deprived, and when we are exhausted, we have the same poor judgment and inattention as if we were drunk!

Furthermore, video studies show that bed-sharing newborns spend two-thirds of the night in the riskier side position, with their mouths covered with a sheet or blanket for more than an hour each night. When you're exhausted, you might not see that you're accidentally blocking your baby's face with a blanket or your arm.

It is risky to fall asleep with your infant at the breast. If you are nursing on a couch or chair, your baby may become entrapped in the cushions and have difficulty breathing. This puts your baby at risk of asphyxia, which can have terrible consequences.

When nursing in bed, you risk suffocating your infant with pillows, blankets, or your own body. Finally, if you fall asleep while breastfeeding in a rocking rocker, for example, your baby may shift and possibly fall out of your arms.

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