All babies wake up several times a night to nurse during the early weeks and this is COMPLETELY NORMAL!!! It is NOT NORMAL for your newborn to sleep more than two hours between feedings at 2 weeks old or younger. If your baby is younger than 2 weeks and sleeping longer than 2 hours YOU NEED TO BE WAKING HIM/HER to nurse!!! After that two week period you can relax a bit and start fully NURSING ON DEMAND. Bedsharing or Co-sleeping is often recommended for breastfeeding moms because this allows everyone to get more rest/sleep. Sleeping through the night is not really the best thing for your baby! And did you know that sleeping through the night is considered the baby sleeping 5-8 hours uninterrupted. NIGHT WEANING should NOT be done before a year old as breastmilk is the best form of nutrition up to, and beyond that age. Babies should not be on schedules as that can damage moms suppy and cause baby to not get enough milk, especially while exclusively breastfeeding. Sleep training methods such as the Ferber method of CIO are very dangerous for infants and there is a lot of research to support *not* using these sleep training methods (see links below).
Why do babies wake at night?
Babies wake at night for many reasons, and they often start waking at night after sleeping through for a few weeks or months. Some of the reasons for night waking (in no particular order) are:
- baby wants more time with mom
- teething
- developmental advances (for example: waking more often right before or after learning to turn over, crawl or talk)
- illness, allergy, diaper rash, eczema
- hunger (including growth spurts)
- reverse cycling: Some babies whose moms are away during the day prefer to reject most/all supplements while mom is away, and nurse often during the evening and night. If mom is very busy during the day or if baby is very distracted, this can also lead to reverse cycling.
- Growth spurts and sleep pattern changes can also cause baby to wake more at night
General Information to Read Through
- https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/moral-landscapes/201302/normal-human-infant-sleep-feeding-method-and-development
- http://kellymom.com/parenting/nighttime/sleep/
- http://kellymom.com/parenting/nighttime/comfortnursing/
- http://m.medicalxpress.com/news/2014-02-early-parenting-routines-breastfeeding.html
- http://kellymom.com/parenting/nighttime/m2m-baby-sleep/
Timeline of Normal Baby & Toddler Sleep
Studies of Normal Infant Sleep
Waking A Newborn To Nurse
If your baby is younger than 2 weeks, you should be waking him/her to nurse EVERY TWO HOURS.
- http://www.breastfeedingbasics.com/articles/waking-a-sleepy-baby
- http://kellymom.com/ages/newborn/newborn-concerns/sleepy-babies/
Nursing on Demand
Recommended for breastfed babies.
- http://www.llli.org/nb/nbjulaug03p126.html
- http://www.breastfeeding-problems.com/cue-feeding.html
- Babies Hunger Cues: http://kellymom.com/bf/normal/hunger-cues/
Co-Sleeping or Bedsharing
This is recommended for breastfeeding moms when it's able to be done safely so that everyone can get more rest/sleep.
- http://www.askdrsears.com/topics/health-concerns/sleep-problems/co-sleeping-yes-no-sometimes
- http://www.llli.org/faq/cosleep.html
- http://kellymom.com/parenting/nighttime/cosleeping/
- http://www.huffingtonpost.com/diana-west/smart-bedsharing-gives-br_b_5662733.html?1407523345
- Family bed: http://kellymom.com/parenting/nighttime/gordon01/
- SAFE CO-SLEEPING GUIDELINES: http://www.askdrsears.com/topics/health-concerns/sleep-problems/sleep-safety/latest-research-co-sleeping-safety
"Sleeping Through The Night"
Breastmilk digests in less than 2 hours, so don't be surprised when your excluisvely breastfed child is waking frequently through the night to nurse!
- http://kellymom.com/parenting/nighttime/sleep/
- https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/moral-landscapes/201302/normal-human-infant-sleep-feeding-method-and-development
- http://progressiveparentingnetwork.com/when-will-my-baby-sleep-through-the-night-you-want-the-good-news-or-the-bad-news-first-2/
- http://m.medicalxpress.com/news/2014-02-early-parenting-routines-breastfeeding.html
Sleep Regression
Many moms find the Wonder Weeks app to be very helpful in predicting when their babies might go through a sleep pattern change. Solids, even rice cereal is NO LONGER RECOMMENDED BEFORE 6 MONTHS of age by the AAP and many other sources, see the Starting Solids file linked just below.
- http://kellymom.com/parenting/nighttime/4mo-sleep/
- http://www.askdrsears.com/topics/health-concerns/sleep-problems/31-ways-get-your-baby-sleep-and-stay-asleep
- http://www.thealphaparent.com/2013/01/timeline-of-baby-and-toddler-sleep.html?m=1
- When to expect sleep regressions: https://www.drsearswellnessinstitute.org/blog/2013/07/seasons-of-sleep/
- Starting Solids: https://www.facebook.com/notes/breastfeeding-pumping-milksharing-moms/starting-solids-the-virgin-gut/342886639247949
- Wonder Weeks Book: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/9079208043/ref=x_gr_w_bb?ie=UTF8&tag=httpwwwgoodco-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=9079208043&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2
Will Solids or Formula Help My Baby Sleep?
In short, there is no proof that these things will help baby sleep better. Formula can actually cause baby to be awake MORE since they are not used to digesting it on a regular basis.
- http://kellymom.com/nutrition/starting-solids/solids-sleep/
- http://www.bellybelly.com.au/baby/child-diet-awake#.VPQQiPnF-So
Nursing to Sleep & Comfort Nursing
Nursing your baby to sleep is perfectly fine and natural and it will not cause later development issues.
- http://kellymom.com/parenting/nighttime/comfortnursing/
- Nighttime Parenting: http://www.askdrsears.com/topics/feeding-eating/feeding-infants-toddlers/nighttime-parenting
- http://kellymom.com/parenting/nighttime/m2m-baby-sleep/
- Getting baby to sleep while you are away: http://www.askdrsears.com/topics/health-concerns/sleep-problems/faqs-about-sleep-problems/nursing-baby-sleep-child-care
Night weaning 1+ years or older ONLY
- http://drjaygordon.com/attachment/sleeppattern.html
- http://kellymom.com/parenting/nighttime/weaning-night/
- http://kellymom.com/parenting/nighttime/gordon03/
- http://www.askdrsears.com/topics/health-concerns/sleep-problems/night-weaning-12-alternatives-all-night-nurser
- Creating an enviroment for good sleep for toddlers: http://www.medpagetoday.com/pediatrics/generalpediatrics/39412
Happiest Baby on the Block
- http://www.happiestbaby.com/
- http://www.happiestbaby.com/learn-about-your-baby-toddler/the-happiest-baby-on-the-block/
- https://www.youtube.com/user/thehappiestbaby
No Cry Sleep Solution
- http://www.pantley.com/elizabeth/books/0071381392.php
Wait It Out Method of 'sleep training'
- http://nurshable.com/2012/07/19/the-wio-wait-it-out-method-of-sleep-training/
- https://www.facebook.com/groups/466681123429323/
Why You Shouldn't Schedule Sleep & Feedings
As already discussed on this file, nursing on demand is ideal for breastfeeding moms and babies so that babies always get enough milk and so that mom's always have good supply.
- http://www.normalfed.com/starting/scheduling/
- http://m.medicalxpress.com/news/2014-02-early-parenting-routines-breastfeeding.html
- http://kellymom.com/parenting/nighttime/sleep/
- http://kellymom.com/bf/normal/comfortnursing/
Why you should avoid CIO (Cry It Out) & other 'Sleep Training' Methods
Crying is your babies ONLY form of communication before 1 year, sometimes even longer. Why ignore your child's only form of communication? There is a LOT of evidence that supports *not* using the CIO method in particular.
- Read first: http://www.alternative-mama.com/a-letter-from-a-sleep-training-baby/
- Why do babies cry? http://evolutionaryparenting.com/educating-the-experts-lesson-one-crying/
- What you need to know about CIO: http://evolutionaryparenting.com/what-you-need-to-know-about-crying-it-out/
- Blog about sleep training: http://www.analyticalarmadillo.co.uk/2011/07/baby-taming-if-it-works-does-that-make.html?m=1
- Children need touch and attention: http://news.harvard.edu/gazette/1998/04.09/ChildrenNeedTou.html
- Blog about controlled crying: http://babycalmblog.com/2011/09/12/controlled-crying-miracle-cure-tough-love-or-dangerous-misunderstanding/
- Take care of your babies individual needs: https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/moral-landscapes/201301/let-crying-babes-lie-so-wrong
- Links to information on different sleep training methods: http://www.drmomma.org/2009/12/sleep-training-review-of-research.html?m=1
Articles Against CIO
- http://evolutionaryparenting.com/distress-self-soothing-and-extinction-sleep-training/
- http://www.phillyvoice.com/screaming-sleep-moral-imperative-end-cry-it-out/
- Blog post, 10 points for not choosing CIO: http://www.phdinparenting.com/blog/2008/7/5/cry-it-out-cio-10-reasons-why-it-is-not-for-us.html
- Blog post, leaving infants to cry: http://www.analyticalarmadillo.co.uk/2010/12/modern-parenting-techniques-leaving.html
- Why babies shouldn't cry to sleep: http://drgabormate.com/article/why-i-no-longer-believe-babies-should-cry-themselves-to-sleep/
- Blog post, Just Let Her Cry: http://womanuncensored.blogspot.co.uk/2009/12/just-let-her-cry.html?m=1
Dangers of CIO
- http://www.askdrsears.com/topics/health-concerns/fussy-baby/science-says-excessive-crying-could-be-harmful
- https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/moral-landscapes/201112/dangers-crying-it-out
- http://www.askdrsears.com/topics/health-concerns/fussy-baby/letting-baby-cry-it-out-yes-no
- http://drjaygordon.com/breastfeeding/breastfeeding-cosleeping-babies-are-the-safest-babies.html
Damage of CIO
- CIO babies remain stressed even after they stop crying: http://www.examiner.com/article/study-shows-babies-who-cry-it-out-remain-stressed
- Study showing babies still stressed, though no longer crying: http://www.earlyhumandevelopment.com/article/S0378-3782%2811%2900270-2/abstract
- Damage of CIO: http://www.the-mule.com/2011/12/crying-it-out-damage-we-can-measure.html?m=1
- CIO & Brain Damage: http://www.drmomma.org/2009/12/crying-it-out-causes-brain-damage.html?m=1
- Excessive Crying Could Be Harmful: http://www.askdrsears.com/topics/health-concerns/fussy-baby/science-says-excessive-crying-could-be-harmful
- Potential Dangers of CIO: http://www.analyticalarmadillo.co.uk/2011/01/cry-it-out-potential-dangers-of-leaving.html?m=1
Controlled Crying
- http://www.naturalchild.org/guest/pinky_mckay.html
- Blog about controlled crying: http://babycalmblog.com/2011/09/12/controlled-crying-miracle-cure-tough-love-or-dangerous-misunderstanding/
