Gina Johnson
Newborns sleep better next to their mothers. This is a biological truth that has been moulded by Western cultural expectations. A study by Kathleen Kendall-Tackett revealed that breastfeeding mothers reported more hours of sleep, better physical health, more energy, and lower rates of depression. This is because they fell back asleep faster and woke up lightly, only to feed the baby. Another study by Dr. Ruth Feldman found that maternal-newborn skin-to-skin contact in the first six months of life resulted in better cognitive skills, executive abilities, more organised sleep, and better neuroendocrine response to stress. However, pediatricians acknowledge that bed-sharing increases the risk of sudden death and recommend that infants sleep on their backs on a firm mattress in their own crib.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Skin-to-skin contact | Better cognitive skills, executive abilities, more organized sleep, better neuroendocrine response to stress, and more mature functioning of the autonomic nervous system |
| Physiological and emotional availability | More sleep, better physical health, more energy, and lower rates of depression |
| Bed sharing | Increased risk of sudden death, suffocation, or other causes |
| Bed sharing on a sofa or couch | Far greater risk than bed sharing |
| N/A | Babies sleep better with their mothers |
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What You'll Learn
Skin-to-skin contact improves maternal behaviour and child's sleep
Skin-to-skin contact between newborns and their mothers has been shown to have numerous benefits for both parties. A study by Dr. Ruth Feldman, a Professor at Bar-Ilan University, found that maternal-newborn skin-to-skin contact during the first six months of life resulted in more sensitive and expressive maternal behaviour. Furthermore, these children demonstrated better cognitive skills, executive abilities, more organised sleep patterns, and improved neuroendocrine responses to stress ten years later.
The benefits of skin-to-skin contact extend beyond the initial six months, as children who experienced more skin-to-skin contact during infancy exhibited more mature functioning of the autonomic nervous system a decade later. This type of physical contact is a primal form of communication that cannot be replaced by any inanimate object, no matter how soft or well-marketed it may be.
Additionally, mothers who practice breastsleeping or bedsharing tend to get more sleep. A study by Kathleen Kendall-Tackett involving 6,410 mothers of babies 0-12 months old found that exclusively breastfeeding mothers reported significantly more hours of sleep, better physical health, more energy, and lower rates of depression. While these mothers woke up more frequently at night to nurse their babies, they fell back asleep faster and tended to only wake up lightly due to bedsharing.
However, it is important to note that bedsharing is not without risks. Pediatricians and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) acknowledge the increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) associated with bedsharing and recommend that infants sleep on their own surfaces in a crib or bassinet. Nevertheless, the updated AAP guidelines also provide advice on making bedsharing safer, recognising that it is a common practice among mothers.
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Breastfeeding mothers get more sleep due to bedsharing
Breastfeeding mothers often struggle with nighttime nursing, as they have to get out of bed to feed their babies. This can lead to exhaustion and sleep deprivation, which may cause mothers to introduce formula milk to their babies. However, bedsharing, or "breast-sleeping", offers a solution to this problem.
Bedsharing facilitates frequent feeding, which supports milk supply, and the oxytocin released during breastfeeding helps reduce mothers' blood pressure and induces sleep for both mother and infant. This arrangement allows breastfeeding mothers to cope more easily with nighttime feeds, getting more sleep and continuing to breastfeed for longer. The close body contact between mother and baby during bedsharing also helps to reduce the baby's stress levels and stabilize their heart rate and temperature.
Additionally, bedsharing has been associated with longer durations of exclusive breastfeeding. Research has shown that mothers who bedshare are twice as likely to still be breastfeeding when their baby is four months old compared to those who do not bedshare. Bedsharing also appears to have a protective effect against sleep-related death among breastfeeding infants. Videographic evidence suggests that breastfeeding infants rarely sleep prone when bedsharing and instead roll onto their backs after feeding. The mother's arm forms a barrier between the infant's head and the pillow, reducing the risk of sleep-related death.
However, it is important to note that bedsharing does come with certain risks. Health professionals should inform parents about how their individual circumstances affect their risk and how to ensure the safest sleeping arrangements for their baby. For example, parents should be warned about falling asleep with their baby in hazardous ways, such as on sofas or recliners, which can increase the risk of suffocation. Establishing a bedtime routine and teaching babies to self-soothe can also help improve sleep for both parents and infants.
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Babies learn to self-soothe by sleeping with their mothers
It is common for newborns to sleep better when they are with their mothers. This is because newborns and young babies are unable to self-soothe and need their mothers to rock or nurse them to sleep.
However, as babies grow older, they can learn to self-soothe and fall asleep without their mother's help. Self-soothing is an important life skill that involves calming oneself down and falling back asleep without assistance. Babies might suck their thumbs or hold a stuffed animal to self-soothe.
To teach your baby to self-soothe, you can start by establishing a calming bedtime routine and setting a consistent bedtime. This sets their internal body clock, making them more likely to feel sleepy at a predictable time. You can also put your baby to bed when they are drowsy but not yet asleep, as this helps them associate their bed with falling asleep. Additionally, creating a calm environment with soft music or white noise can help your baby settle more easily.
It is important to remember that learning to self-soothe takes time and patience. Some babies may need more time and support than others, and it is normal for them to cry and fuss as they learn this new skill.
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Nighttime parenting deepens the connection between mother and child
Nighttime parenting is a unique opportunity to deepen the connection between mother and child. While it can be challenging for new parents to get quality rest due to frequent feedings, diaper changes, and comforting a fussy baby, prioritising sleep is crucial for effective parenting.
For newborns, sleeping next to their mothers can have significant benefits. A study by Dr. Ruth Feldman, involving prematurely born infants, found that maternal-newborn skin-to-skin contact during the first six months of life led to more sensitive and expressive maternal behaviour. Additionally, these children demonstrated better cognitive skills, executive abilities, organised sleep patterns, and improved stress response ten years later. This highlights the importance of human touch as our most primal form of communication.
Breastfeeding mothers who sleep close to their babies tend to get more sleep overall. A study by Kathleen Kendall-Tackett showed that exclusively breastfeeding mothers reported more hours of sleep, better physical health, more energy, and lower depression rates. This is because they fall back asleep faster and experience lighter sleep disruptions when bed-sharing. However, it is important to note that bed-sharing increases the risk of sudden infant death and suffocation, and pediatricians advise against it. To mitigate this risk, parents can remove loose bedding and ensure their baby sleeps on their back on a firm mattress without blankets or pillows.
To navigate the challenges of nighttime parenting, it is essential to establish healthy sleep habits for your baby and enlist help when needed. You can encourage your baby to self-soothe by putting them to bed when they are drowsy but still awake. Additionally, reducing night-time stimulation, such as bright lights, and establishing a consistent bedtime routine can help your baby associate darkness with sleep. Asking friends, family, or your partner for support with nighttime feedings and diaper changes can also provide you with much-needed rest.
Ultimately, embracing the reality of nighttime parenting and focusing on deepening your connection with your child can transform this challenging phase into a rewarding and meaningful experience.
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Bed sharing increases the risk of sudden death
Newborns tend to sleep better with their mothers due to the comfort and security of their presence. However, bed-sharing, also known as co-sleeping, poses significant risks, particularly the danger of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Bed-sharing increases the risk of SIDS, especially for preterm infants, babies with low birth weight, and healthy full-term infants younger than 4 months old. The risk is further heightened for infants whose parents smoke, with a threefold increase in SIDS cases when bed-sharing. Other factors that contribute to the risk include the infant's sleeping position, high thermal insulation, and the presence of soft bedding or mattresses, which can lead to suffocation or strangulation.
In a study of Alaskan infant deaths from 1992 to 2004, it was found that 13% of all deaths and 51% of SIDS, asphyxiation, and sleep-related deaths occurred while the infant was bed-sharing. Similarly, in Ireland, 49% of SIDS cases were attributed to bed-sharing with an adult. These statistics underscore the heightened risk associated with bed-sharing.
To minimize the risk of SIDS and create a safe sleep environment, it is recommended that infants sleep in the same room as their parents but on a separate sleep surface, such as a bassinet, play yard, or crib. This arrangement allows for closeness while reducing potential hazards. Additionally, it is crucial to ensure that the infant's sleep surface is firm and free from soft bedding, toys, or other items that could pose a safety hazard.
While bed-sharing may provide some benefits in terms of comfort and convenience, the potential risks to the infant's health and safety cannot be overlooked. It is essential for parents to prioritize the creation of a safe sleep environment and to follow recommendations from trusted health organizations, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, to ensure the well-being of their newborns.
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Frequently asked questions
Babies have a biological need to be close to their mothers, and this proximity helps them regulate their body temperature, heart rate, and breathing. Skin-to-skin contact and the scent of their mother can soothe newborns, making it easier for them to fall asleep and sleep more soundly.
A study by Dr. Ruth Feldman found that maternal-newborn skin-to-skin contact in the first six months of life resulted in better cognitive skills, executive abilities, more organized sleep, and better stress response in children ten years later.
Mothers who co-sleep with their newborns tend to fall back asleep faster and experience less disrupted sleep. A study by Kathleen Kendall-Tackett found that breastfeeding mothers who co-sleep reported significantly more hours of sleep, better physical health, more energy, and lower rates of depression.
