By Jamie P.
Last week, I shared my difficult postpartum journey after delivering my first beautiful child. I had just attended my first LLL meeting and started to realize I needed something different in my breastfeeding journey. I was beginning to find my own voice as a mother.
The following week, my sister came to visit and helped me get comfortable with sidelaying nursing, while showering me with love and encouragement. This was the turning point I needed: breastfeeding in this comfortable, relaxed way put both my daughter and I at ease. I could see how easy it would be to nod off together in this cozy position.
I reread LLL’s Safe Sleep Seven articles and decided I wanted–needed–to push out of “the norm” (as I had thought) and try breastsleeping. Reading about how the majority of the world outside of the United States practices some form of bed-sharing helped me a lot. I also learned that high rates of breastsleeping lead to low rates of SIDS and how breastsleeping actually is protective against SIDS. I felt encouraged. My husband and I talked about it, and we agreed it would be worth trying. He helped me prep the bed and we did what I thought would be a one night trial. I stayed awake at least some of the night to observe and get a sense for the level of safety.
The following morning I knew in my bones and my heart that breastsleeping was right for my daughter and I. Instead of waking throughout the night, crying for us, she had slept much more contently and for longer durations. I could feed her with ease whenever I wanted. My hand gently resting on her side as she slept, I could feel and hear her soft constant breathing and I was able to doze off peacefully as well. I will never forget how calm and cozy we both were that first night and I knew without a doubt this was the right path.
I credit breastsleeping for turning around my mental health and overall wellbeing; kickstarting a more agency-filled, confident motherhood experience; and giving me a treasure trove of happy snuggly memories. We breastslept both at home and on trips, for naps and for nighttime sleep, through sicknesses and easy times. When I went back to work at five months, while my postpartum depression and anxiety was retriggered, I was always comforted by the knowledge that a night of closeness, nursing, and snuggles was ahead.
Since discovering breastsleeping–a breastfeeding dyad intentionally and safely sharing a sleeping surface–I have turned into a fierce advocate! I was honored to share my story here about how breastsleeping revolutionized my motherhood journey and was key to supporting my mental health as a new mom. I hope it inspires some nursing parents to try something new, build a sense of agency and power, and feel confident forging a unique path forward for your breastfeeding family.
One of the reasons I wanted to be a La Leche League Leader was to support other mothers and parents navigating the tender and difficult space of postpartum and make sleep choices that align with their needs and values. Any breastfeeding family interested in breastsleeping has a wealth of research and resources that support their choice. Opening ourselves up to truly listen, without reservation, to what our own hearts and bodies are saying and to what our babies are telling us, can be a powerful exercise. I also like to suggest families find a few trusted resources that resonate with their goals and values–such as my personal favorites: The Art of Breastfeeding and Sweet Sleep. Find a safe community like a local La Leche League Group to find support, then intentionally put up blinders towards other sources that don’t align with your chosen path. There is power in conviction!
I am proud to share that my personal story did indeed have a happy ending. I breastslept with my first daughter until she was two, moving our mattress to the floor when she started moving; then I talked her through a gentle transition to night weaning. We continued to breastfeed until she was three-and-a-half, when I was pregnant with her little sister! With my second child, you can bet our family was all in on breastsleeping from the start. It was so rewarding to start with the confidence, skills, and knowledge I needed to have a successful postpartum. To actually enjoy those first weeks, staying in bed as much as possible, babywearing and contact-napping our way through the days, and snuggling through the nights–it was a joy. Our journey to breastsleeping was difficult, and I wish our medical system did a better job of equipping new parents with the full suite of available options and latest research. That said, through LLL and breastfeeding positive resources, we can help each other fill those gaps and move forward to peace and power.
Share your story with New Beginnings by sending to [email protected]
Supporting Breastfeeding Families–Today, Tomorrow, Always
Please consider donating to La Leche League USA.
Your gift helps support this blog and the website!
Donations of any amount are gratefully accepted. Thank you!
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Posted: May 12, 2026 by Yael Breimer
Gaining Peace and Power Through Breastsleeping, Part 2
Last week, I shared my difficult postpartum journey after delivering my first beautiful child. I had just attended my first LLL meeting and started to realize I needed something different in my breastfeeding journey. I was beginning to find my own voice as a mother.
The following week, my sister came to visit and helped me get comfortable with sidelaying nursing, while showering me with love and encouragement. This was the turning point I needed: breastfeeding in this comfortable, relaxed way put both my daughter and I at ease. I could see how easy it would be to nod off together in this cozy position.
I reread LLL’s Safe Sleep Seven articles and decided I wanted–needed–to push out of “the norm” (as I had thought) and try breastsleeping. Reading about how the majority of the world outside of the United States practices some form of bed-sharing helped me a lot. I also learned that high rates of breastsleeping lead to low rates of SIDS and how breastsleeping actually is protective against SIDS. I felt encouraged. My husband and I talked about it, and we agreed it would be worth trying. He helped me prep the bed and we did what I thought would be a one night trial. I stayed awake at least some of the night to observe and get a sense for the level of safety.
The following morning I knew in my bones and my heart that breastsleeping was right for my daughter and I. Instead of waking throughout the night, crying for us, she had slept much more contently and for longer durations. I could feed her with ease whenever I wanted. My hand gently resting on her side as she slept, I could feel and hear her soft constant breathing and I was able to doze off peacefully as well. I will never forget how calm and cozy we both were that first night and I knew without a doubt this was the right path.
I credit breastsleeping for turning around my mental health and overall wellbeing; kickstarting a more agency-filled, confident motherhood experience; and giving me a treasure trove of happy snuggly memories. We breastslept both at home and on trips, for naps and for nighttime sleep, through sicknesses and easy times. When I went back to work at five months, while my postpartum depression and anxiety was retriggered, I was always comforted by the knowledge that a night of closeness, nursing, and snuggles was ahead.
Since discovering breastsleeping–a breastfeeding dyad intentionally and safely sharing a sleeping surface–I have turned into a fierce advocate! I was honored to share my story here about how breastsleeping revolutionized my motherhood journey and was key to supporting my mental health as a new mom. I hope it inspires some nursing parents to try something new, build a sense of agency and power, and feel confident forging a unique path forward for your breastfeeding family.
One of the reasons I wanted to be a La Leche League Leader was to support other mothers and parents navigating the tender and difficult space of postpartum and make sleep choices that align with their needs and values. Any breastfeeding family interested in breastsleeping has a wealth of research and resources that support their choice. Opening ourselves up to truly listen, without reservation, to what our own hearts and bodies are saying and to what our babies are telling us, can be a powerful exercise. I also like to suggest families find a few trusted resources that resonate with their goals and values–such as my personal favorites: The Art of Breastfeeding and Sweet Sleep. Find a safe community like a local La Leche League Group to find support, then intentionally put up blinders towards other sources that don’t align with your chosen path. There is power in conviction!
I am proud to share that my personal story did indeed have a happy ending. I breastslept with my first daughter until she was two, moving our mattress to the floor when she started moving; then I talked her through a gentle transition to night weaning. We continued to breastfeed until she was three-and-a-half, when I was pregnant with her little sister! With my second child, you can bet our family was all in on breastsleeping from the start. It was so rewarding to start with the confidence, skills, and knowledge I needed to have a successful postpartum. To actually enjoy those first weeks, staying in bed as much as possible, babywearing and contact-napping our way through the days, and snuggling through the nights–it was a joy. Our journey to breastsleeping was difficult, and I wish our medical system did a better job of equipping new parents with the full suite of available options and latest research. That said, through LLL and breastfeeding positive resources, we can help each other fill those gaps and move forward to peace and power.
Share your story with New Beginnings by sending to [email protected]
Supporting Breastfeeding Families–Today, Tomorrow, Always
Please consider donating to La Leche League USA.
Your gift helps support this blog and the website!
Donations of any amount are gratefully accepted. Thank you!
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Category: Breastfeeding and Bonding, Breastfeeding and Lifestyle, Breastfeeding and Sleep, Grateful For LLL USA, LLL Support
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