It’s daylight savings 2009 and I empathize with all the breastfeeding moms out there who are losing sleep tonight. Because breastmilk is so easily and quickly digested, breastfed babies generally wake up more often than their formula fed counterparts. While this can be frustrating to parents trying to get a good night’s sleep, frequent night waking is actually extremely beneficial for baby’s health and development.
Babies wake up because they are easily aroused from light sleep. When baby needs to eat, needs warmth, or needs you to remove breathing obstructions, he/she will be able to easily wake up and let you know something is wrong. The more time a baby spends in light sleep, the better the brain development of higher brain functions should be. When babies are formula-fed, this alters their sleep behavior so that they do not spend as much time in light sleep. ~ information from Life Tips
For moms who want a good night’s sleep, does this mean they should grab a bottle and make formula feedings at least a night time activity? Not necessarily.
Formula fed babies sleep longer and more deeply, and the understood reason is that formula is more difficult and takes longer to digest. But do we want our baby’s digestive system to be working overtime trying to digest something not specific to the human body. Unless there is no other alternative babies are better off breastfeeding.
Also, there is evidence that suggests that due to longer, deeper sleeps, formula fed babies are at a higher risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and that sleep interruptions are actually protective to young babies.
So while the ladies of the house all over the world will be tired come tomorrow, it should be worth it. Right?
Did you enjoy this post? If so, please leave a comment, or consider subscribing to my RSS feed below. Have a wonderful Daylight Savings!
Related posts:
- Monday Musings: Do You Nurse Your Baby To Sleep?
- What World Breastfeeding Awareness Week 2009 Is All About
- My Top 10 Most Commented On Posts of 2009
- Are Breastfed Children Less Likely To Sleep With Dolls?
- Haiti Needs Breastfeeding Moms
Tags: formula, night waking, SIDS
Posted by Attachment/Natural Parenting, Breastfeeding General, Breastfeeding Infants Subscribe to RSS feed
Hi, I am from the follow me club. I am following you. I look forward to your updates. Donna
This is a great article I’m going to forward it to my friend that is currently going through this stage. Poor moms, I hope they do get some sleep.
Let me introduce myself.
Hi my name is Betty,
I’m a new Follow Me member from the Mom Bloggers Club and I’m now following your blog.
So glad you found me and directed me to this blog. Excellent, concise information on breastfed babies’ sleep. So to your readers: if you know a mom who is awakened often – do what you can to help her during the day, so she can do her job at night
Hello I’m Becca from MBC I do not really understand how to follow you using an RSS. I will try and figure it out. I’m going to send my cousin to your blog because she is nursing her 9 week old baby, and I’m sure she could benefit from your info.
Hi,
Thanks for stopping by my blog. I am following you through the RSS feed.