When your baby is born they expect to stay close to their mum no matter what time of day. This helps them to feel safe.
Sleep safety is all about knowing how to keep your baby safe whilst they are sleeping.
The safest place for your baby to sleep is in their own flat and firm sleeping space clear of any toys or bedding etc in the same room as you.
Sometimes parents falling asleep together with their baby can be unplanned.
Follow these top tips for safe sleeping from the Lullaby Trust;
It’s completely normal for babies to wake frequently to feed in the night (often followed by a nappy change!).
Caring for a newborn baby can be exhausting and night times can be tough. It’s a huge change for parents so understanding how you can all get the best sleep as possible is really important.
Breastfeeding lowers the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and any amount of breastfeeding helps.
Night feeds are a vital part of establishing and maintaining your milk supply helping your baby to grow and thrive.
When your baby feeds often during the night, this signals to your body to boost your milk supply.
Other elements in breastmilk also help your baby recognise the difference between daytime and nighttime, and hormones also affect you – helping you to fall back to sleep more easily.
Did you know that your prolactin levels (the hormone which supports milk production) are at their highest during the night?
Many breastfeeding mums bed-share safely to help them care for baby at night as it can be easier and they get more sleep. Follow safe sleeping advice to make it safer for baby.
Lying down to feed is a position that allows you to feed baby whilst laying in bed. This is particularly helpful if you are recovering from stiches or a caesarean birth.
Taking care of your baby at night can be tiring and this effects our emotions.
If you need support talk to your partners, reach out to other mums or support groups.
You aren’t in this alone and in fact, you along with millions of women across the globe are up, awake feeding their babies all staring at the same sky – we are Beside You.