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Night time feeds

Giving mothers information about safe bed sharing, night time feeds and how to manage them is a UNICEF BFI standard.

Night time breastfeeding should be discussed with mothers at the first and follow up contacts, firstly because of the importance of breastfeeding at night for a good milk supply and baby weight gain and also because this provides the opportunity to discuss the prevention of Sudden Infant Death.

Mothers need to know

  • While establishing breastfeeding milk is produced by supply and demand and also levels of prolactin ( the milk making hormone) are higher at night ,so breastfeeding throughout the 24 hours ensures a good supply for their baby
  • A baby has a small stomach and breastmilk is digested quickly, so the baby needs to be fed at intervals through the night to ensure good growth.
  • If the mothers breasts become too full overnight she is at risk of blocked ducts and mastitis. Her milk supply will also reduce because of Feedback Inhibitor of Lactation (FIL) – in short if her breasts are not emptied her body thinks she does not need so much breast milk and makes less.

Breastfeeding mothers and their families need to have this information as often well meaning partners or family offer to bottle feed baby over night in the belief that mum will get more rest without understanding the effects on breastfeeding that this may cause. Many new mothers are often woken up by their full breasts anyway! Many find it difficult to sleep without their babies near to them. Many dads fall asleep with baby on a sofa or armchair.

Family can help out the mother in other ways and she should rest at other times of the day if possible – sleep when the baby sleeps. If parents have made an informed decision that they want to give their breastfed baby a bottle of formula at any time it is better for milk supply and for the mother, to give it in the evening rather than during the night.

It has been health professional custom to advise mothers to NEVER take their baby into bed with them because of the risks of sudden infant death and accidental injury, however, to simply direct mothers in this way is not considered best practice in the prevention of SIDS and in the support of breastfeeding mothers. We know from good research, and professional experience, that at times mothers do take their babies into bed and they do fall asleep with them and instead we should be giving them information and support to make what they are doing as safe as possible. Many breastfeeding mothers who are told not to feed their baby in bed will then fall asleep feeding in a chair or sofa – which is a positively dangerous thing to do.

So the safest place for baby to sleep is still in a crib/cot next to mothers bed for the first 6 months, but we need to also talk to breastfeeding mothers about safe positions for feeding lying down and safe bed sharing. Using the UNICEF leaflet is the most effective way of doing this.

All new parents should also have the NHS Reduce the risk of cot death leaflet (DH Publications orderline 292301) which advises parents:

  • Place your baby on the back to sleep, in a cot in a room with you
  • Do not smoke in pregnancy or let anyone smoke in the same room as your baby
  • Do not share a bed with your baby if you have been drinking alcohol, if you take drugs or if you are a smoker
  • Never sleep with your baby on a sofa or armchair
  • Do not let your baby get too hot – keep your baby’s head uncovered – place your baby in the “feet to foot” position

    • The UNICEF leaflet can be downloaded here


    Click below for NHS leaflet

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