Your baby waking up at night to breastfeed is normal behavior for an infant. In addition, it has many benefits for both you and your baby! These night feedings play a vital role in ensuring your baby gets the calories they need to grow and in maintaining your milk supply. Understanding the importance of feeding your baby at night can make the frequent night wakings more manageable and purposeful.¹

Benefits of Nighttime Breastfeeding

• Maintains Your Milk Supply 

Your milk production is “supply and demand.” This means, the more milk that you remove, the more milk your body will make. Going long stretches at night without milk removal signals your body to produce less milk.¹

• Ensures Your Baby’s Gets the Nutrition They Need

Babies have small stomachs and eat often. Feedings happen at least eight to twelve times per twenty-four hours. So, nighttime feedings help ensure your baby gets the calories needed to thrive.

• Bonding and Comfort

Breastfeeding and being close to mom is your baby’s greatest source of comfort and safety. So, it is only natural that they would desire that comfort and safety at night.

• Reduces the Risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)

How Often to Breastfeed at Night

• In the early weeks, feed your baby at least every two to three hours, day and night. So, if he or she sleeps for a stretch of longer than two to three hours, waking them up to feed is recommended until they are back up to birth weight.
• After your baby is back up to birth weight, usually by two weeks of age, and if breastfeeding is going well, it is important not to go more than one four to five hour stretch between feedings overnight. This ensures your baby gets adequate milk and helps to protect your milk supply.

Nighttime Breast Milk

Your breast milk changes based on the needs of your baby and time of day. Research shows that breast milk at night has higher levels of sleep inducing hormones.⁴ These hormones help your baby drift off to sleep and feel more satisfied after feedings.

Tips to Make Breastfeeding at Night Easier

• Keep Your Baby Close!

Keeping your baby’s sleep area close to where you sleep makes it more convenient to feed and comfort your baby during the night. In addition, having your baby nearby allows you to notice your baby’s early hunger cues.¹

• Partner Support

If you have a partner, family, or other support, there are several ways they can help ease the night time wakings. They can assist with diapering and soothing at night. Some moms have the baby brought to them to breastfeed, so she can get more rest in between feedings. Also, having others help with non-baby tasks can give you more space and time for rest.

• Low Lighting

Bright lights at night can be disruptive for sleep. If you find yourself desiring some light when caring for your baby at night, a warm and dim light is recommended.¹

• Go to Bed Earlier

Going to bed about two hours earlier can help offset the time spent waking and caring for a baby at night.

• Prepare Your Sleep Space

Preparing your sleep space with all of the items you may need in the night will help ease the disruption of night feedings. This can include putting diapers, wipes, your water, and snacks within arm’s reach.

• Breastfeeding Support

What If I Have Questions?

If you are interested in learning more, these Aeroflow classes expand on some of the topics discussed above:

• Sleep for the Breastfed Baby
• Ultimate Breastfeeding Prep

Want More Info?

For a directory of Aeroflow’s other Care Guides offering information on pregnancy, baby care, and more, browse our comprehensive list of titles:

References