Last Updated: March 26, 2024 | Mama’s Shell
Feeling drowsy and tired during the early months of breastfeeding is not a problem you are facing alone right now.
In the first few months of my breastfeeding journey, I was frequently yawning and dozing off every five seconds. As a first-time mom, I was crying about not being able to control my sleepiness. Tears were falling from my eyes rigorously. Above all of this mess, my newborn was having sleep regression, which kept me awake all night.
In this article, I will talk about how I got rid of extreme sleepiness and made my breastfeeding time enjoyable even after midnight.
Let’s begin.
Why do we feel extreme fatigue and sleepiness during breastfeeding?
Three general reasons could induce excessive fatigue and sleepiness during breastfeeding.
The Physiological Process of Breastfeeding
The physiological process of breastfeeding itself is enough to make a mother super tired. It demands an extra 450–500 calories daily while breastfeeding.
The two main hormones responsible for producing more milk and channeling milk flow toward your little one are prolactin and oxytocin. During breastfeeding, the continuous release of prolactin and oxytocin increases your bonding with your little one and reduces stress.
This intricate yet beautiful process unwantedly relaxes your body and makes you excessively tired.
The lifestyle of a postpartum mom
- countless sleep interruptions
- staying awake longer from midnight to dawn
- not getting enough rest that a healing body requires
- being unable to consume a healthy and calorie-rich diet and
- the sudden transition of motherhood
These complimentary reasons make you less energetic and dizzy, especially during the hard-working breastfeeding period.
Some medical conditions
Apart from these reasons, some medical conditions like anemia, excessive blood loss, hypothyroidism, prescribed pain medication, and postpartum depression could also be the reasons for your tiredness.
If you feel overwhelmed and can’t cope with your new mommy routine, contact your doctor and seek genuine assistance.
6 real-mom tips to get rid of extreme sleepiness during breastfeeding and make it enjoyable
Now, no more dozing off.
There are several reasons to make us feel tired and down, However, the new mom who fights against the excruciating labor pain to give birth to a fantastic baby can’t be trounced.
Here are the 6 real-life tips that helped me thoroughly combat this fatigue and shake off my drowsiness.
Setting up a comfortable arrangement and an appropriate feeding position
The first important task is making an arrangement that is comfortable for you and your baby.
Find out where you feel most comfortable feeding your baby, e.g., on a couch, chair, or bed. You can prop your back on a pillow. The more relaxed you are, the more enjoyable this breastfeeding session will be.
Also, consult a lactation specialist to determine the correct and appropriate position to feed your baby.
Drinking a lot of water before and after every feeding
I didn’t know before that breastfeeding makes you crave a gallon of water. As you know, keep your water bottle within reach whenever you breastfeed.
During breastfeeding, both of your hands will be engaged to hold and feed the newborn appropriately. Moreover, you will want to do things hurriedly when your baby demands feeding. That’s why the water bottle should be easy to open, so you can quickly drink water whenever you want while breastfeeding.
In addition, the water bottle size should be manageable so you can grab it properly during breastfeeding. Also, it should contain enough water to quench your thirst. You can take a water bottle that can hold 500 ml to 1000 ml of water, according to your choice. More than that amount would be uncomfortable for you to grab.
Drinking some refreshing drinks while feeding
Water reduces our thirst, but it doesn’t make us less sleepy. In this regard, some refreshing drinks solve your problem.
If you are a caffeine lover, you can take up to the recommended amount of coffee, 200 mg daily (two small cups of coffee or one 12-ounce cup). Otherwise, you can take a cup of green tea, fresh fruit juice, or fruit-infused water to make water more enjoyable. Refreshment drinks will boost your energy and make you feel more alert.
However, remember that while drinking some hot drinks, you ensure all the safety arrangements are in place so it doesn’t spill over the baby.
Making conversation with your little one
Breastfeeding is the best time to strengthen your bond with your little one. As oxytocin gradually induces affection, you can make it more eventful by communicating with your little one.
You can sing lullabies, recite rhymes or stories, or talk about your feelings towards your little one. Talking with your newborn is a fantastic way to boost their development. Being vocal also upsets your sleepiness and keeps your brain active.
Watching your favorite series on screen
This is the game-changer activity for me to turn my sleepy head into something amusing. You can enjoy watching series or binge-watching random videos on YouTube while breastfeeding.
To do that, just set up a little arrangement before picking up your little one on the lap for feeding. You don’t need such arrangements to watch something on television. However, turning on the volume of the television can be disturbing for your little one and disrupt your newborn’s sleep while they are latching.
So my recommendation would be to watch something on a mobile phone. To hold the mobile in the eye position, you can use a mobile phone holder in front of you, fixing it a little distance from your little one. It would be best if you switched your wired earphones to Bluetooth. Otherwise, your baby could get tangled by the wire.
Another suggestion is to try putting one earphone at a time instead of two, as a free ear would help you detect if your little one just started crying or not. Try not to put headphones on, as it would impede both of your ears from hearing sound from outside.
Reading your favorite book
It may sound impossible, but you can enjoy reading books while breastfeeding if you are a book lover. As both hands would be busy, you need a book holder to hold your book appropriately. You just need to free your hand for a second to turn the pages.
That’s it.
You now have half a dozen tips on keeping your eyes open while breastfeeding by making it enjoyable.
Share this article with fellow new mothers struggling to stay awake while breastfeeding.
Have questions?
Reach out to us, and we will do our best to help.
