For many parents, the topic of infant sleep can be intertwined deeply with their nursing journey. Where will your baby sleep? How will you nurse and meet their needs overnight? How can the whole family get more sleep? These are very common questions at many La Leche League Group meetings. This week, New Beginnings highlights a plethora of sleep resources that are helpful for nursing families.

First, a reminder that La Leche League International has a book specifically focused on infant sleep for the nursing family, Sweet Sleep. You can find more information on the book, including how to purchase it by clicking here. Many La Leche League Groups will have this book on loan for families if they offer a lending library – so be sure to check with your local La Leche League Leader, if you have interest in reading Sweet Sleep.

Another question many have about sleep and nursing is – where should my baby sleep? Some nursing families use cosleeping with the Safe Sleep 7 Guidelines; some use room sharing with separate safe sleep surfaces. There are many creative ways to make meeting the needs of your baby overnight work for the whole family.

Wondering what the “Safe Sleep 7” are?

If you are breastfeeding, you should meet all seven for safer bedsharing.

1. No smoking in the home or outside
2. Sober adults: no alcohol, no drowsy medications
3. Breastfeeding day and night
4. Healthy baby who is full term
5. Baby on back and face up
6. No sweat: baby in light clothing, no swaddling
7. Safe surface: no soft mattress, no extra pillows, no toys, no tight or heavy covers. Clear of strings and cords. Gaps firmly filled: use rolled towels or baby blankets.

Did you know that nursing at night can help reduce the risk of SIDS? Meeting the needs of your baby around the clock can feel exhausting at times, but being aware of the benefits help many families keep going through challenging seasons.

Some families also wonder if it is okay to nurse their babies to sleep or hold them throughout naps. Nursing is naturally soothing to babies, and, of course, they will fall asleep in the comfort of a parent’s arms after filling up on breastmilk! If you need some encouragement to continue with the contact naps, you may enjoy this story.

Perhaps you have a toddler nursing on and off through the night and are working towards loving solutions to get the whole family snoozing more soundly. A recent New Beginnings article featured tips from La Leche League Leaders about this very situation and offered solidarity that you are not alone in this experience.

Still, some babies are quite spirited, and it takes a special set of skills to help the baby to sleep soundly. An article  featured on New Beginnings shared tips from a seminar called “Sound Sleep for the Spirited Baby”. Try different strategies to find out what works best for your baby and family.

All babies and their sleep and nursing journeys are uniquely their own. Parents remain the expert on their babies from all things nursing, sleep, and beyond; La Leche League Leaders are here, both online and locally in person, to support whatever that may look like for your family. You can find a local LLL Group or Leader (and online options) here. You are not alone in sleep challenges, and it can be really helpful to talk with other parents going through the same phases of life.

Further reading:

• lllusa.org/supporting-the-nursing-family/

Supporting Breastfeeding Families–Today, Tomorrow, Always

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