…what could be better than falling asleep, safe and secure, in the arms of the one who loves you most in the world?
You see, science really is on our side…just take a look at the composition of breast milk. This liquid gold of ours is laced with sleepy juice (also known as the hormone cholecystokinin). It is no coincidence that babies fall asleep at the breast: it is by design.
Not only do our little ones fall asleep more easily while breastfeeding, but researchers are also finding that night-nursing is a crucial aspect of establishing a baby’s circadian rhythm. A rise in nocturnal levels of nucleotides in human breast milk is responsible for what the researchers refer to as “the ‘hypnotic’ action of breast-milk at night in the infant.”
Hypnotic…I couldn’t love the terminology more if I tried.
Mamas, breastfeeding your baby to sleep is not a bad thing. It isn’t a habit that needs breaking or a rod for your back. It is biologically expected, healthy and developmentally appropriate. Trust in your instincts, trust in your babies…and when the noise of damaging cultural expectations becomes too loud, trust in the science.
I’ll be doing the same thing from over here, doped up on oxytocin and enjoying these precious life-lengthening snuggles with my baby.
#NurtureThem
#FedToSleep
Have you signed up for the FREE 7 Days Of Sleep Relief email series yet? Mama Bean’s Sleep Relief email series shifts our focus away from the idea of changing baby and towards the rare concept of supporting mom…The 7 day series offers a short daily message of solidarity and practical tips for coping with exhaustion. Fill your mummy cup and join the sisterhood today! (It’s totally free – no hidden agendas or expensive sleepy stardust involved, I promise!).
Louise, aka Mama Bean, writes about the realities of motherhood. You can find her at www.MamaBeanParenting.com and follow her on Facebook and Twitter.
Love this. Currently feeding my baby to. Sleep right now!! 🙂
I’m right there with you Laney. ( from previous comment)
I have the happiest, most content baby and I believe it’s because she knows her provider and protector (which is our sole purpose in motherhood) is always there for comfort.
Our job is to nurture and provide a safe and loving environment for these small humans whom can’t provide these key elements for themselves.
So why is there this guilt in cosleeping and feeding our babies to sleep.
Baby is 7.5 months old now and still only goes to sleep when breastfeeding. YES , I LOVE that it is such a powerful tool, but…. it means I can not go away at night as she won’t go to sleep when I am not there. Also, when she wakes at night and I am not there, she gets hysterical. She doesn’t want a pacifier (never accepted it) and it took her about 6 months to learn how to drink from a bottle, so it’s all natural parenting here . But it means it’s all up to me and that is a bit hard at times. Am really looking forward to a night out, even though I love it that we are so connected…
Welllll my toddler is still being fed to sleep. He’s 2,5 yrs old. I wish he wasn’t so addicted, because I don’t know how to get him to quit and sleep trough the night without being fed 🙁