How Does Feeding Method Impact Baby’s Sleep?

It has been a long night, week…you aren’t even sure what day it is. Bringing home a newborn and adjusting to sleepless nights is tough! You have looked online and heard some parents say how well their baby is sleeping since they started formula, while another parent says breastfeeding is giving everyone more rest. You are desperate for sleep, and your baby needs it as well…so which method allows for more sleep? When we look at the data and research, it first looks like breastfeeding parents and their babies do get less sleep. This is because breastfed babies tend to wake more at night than combo-fed or formula-fed babies. I’m here to tell you, that’s not exactly true!

What exactly does the research show?

• Breastfed babies had average nighttime awakenings of 2.52 in the night
• Combo-fed babies have average nighttime awakenings of 1.71 in the night
• Formula-fed babies have average nighttime awakenings of 1.39 times in the night

So that settles it, right? Breastfeeding parents must get less sleep. 

Well, not exactly….

Because what the research shows is that while combo-fed babies and formula-fed babies had longer stretches of sleep and less night awakenings, it took much longer for the parents to go back to sleep after waking to feed their babies. More specifically, the research also shows:

• Breastfeeding parents fell back to sleep an average of 19 minutes after waking to feed their babies
• Combo-feeding parents fell back to sleep an average of 22 minutes after waking
• Formula-fed babies fell back to sleep an average of 27 minutes after waking

This is due to the fact that parents who formula or combo-feed need time to make bottles, mix formula, heat up breastmilk, clean bottles…etc. So in the end, breastfeeding parents go an average of 40 minutes more sleep than combo feeding for formula-feeding parents, and reported feeling better rested during the day! 

Why do babies who formula or combo feed get longer stretches and why do breastfeeding parents get more sleep?

Let’s start with the breastfeeding parents!

Hormones produced as a result of breastfeeding play a huge role. Here are some hormones that directly benefit a breastfeeding parent’s sleep:

Oxytocin: When breastfeeding, a breastfeeding parent’s body produces oxytocin, which can make the mother feel at ease and also drowsy. This can help to make breastfeeding a more relaxing experience, and can help parents fall asleep so they can nap while the baby naps. 

Prolactin: Another hormone that helps breastfeeding mothers sleep is prolactin. This is produced in greater quantity at night, as more milk is made. It has been shown to make nursing parents relaxed and more easily able to get to sleep. 

There are also hormones that directly affect the infant’s ability to sleep, thereby indirectly allowing the parent to get more rest:

Melatonin: Breastmilk also contains melatonin, a hormone that plays a vital role in regulating sleep-wake cycles. The levels of melatonin in breastmilk rise throughout the day, helping your baby distinguish between day and night. It is produced in greater quantities at night, just like prolactin. This can help babies get to sleep faster and may contribute to better sleep/wake cycles as they get older…meaning more sleep for both the baby and parent in the short term AND long term!

Neuropeptides: These are small protein-like molecules that act as chemical signals to the brain, promoting sleep. Neuropeptides that induce sleep begin to rise after 8 pm and peak at around midnight. So, those late-night feedings may actually be helping your baby fall into a deeper slumber, and get parents some much needed rest.

Tryptophan and Serotonin: Breastmilk is high in tryptophan, an amino acid that helps increase serotonin levels in the brain. Serotonin is essential for regulating mood and sleep patterns. By providing breastmilk, you’re helping your baby develop a circadian rhythm, which will gradually lead to longer and more consolidated sleep patterns, which means more sleep for the parent too!

Now we know why breastfeeding parents are able to get more rest.

Now, why do infants who formula or combo-feed sleep for longer stretches? 

The main reason is how formula is, well, formulated.

The proteins in formula are typically harder to digest for infants than the proteins in breastmilk. This means that it takes longer for the formula to be digested, keeping the baby fuller for longer, and not needing to wake as often to feed. The reason breastfeed babies do not have as long of sleep stretches is that breastmilk is much easier to digest than formula. This means infants can get hungrier faster, and thus wake more often to nurse. 

Whether you are formula feeding, combination feeding, or breastfeeding, sleep deprivation is something all parents have to manage.

Tips For Getting More Rest, Regardless Of How Baby Is Being Fed

Nap When Baby Naps: You’ve heard it before, and we’ll say it again because it’s true. Use those short windows of opportunity to catch some Zzz’s. Forget the laundry or Netflix – your well-being is a priority.

Ask for Help: Don’t be afraid to lean on your support network. Let grandma, grandpa, or a trusted friend take over baby duty for a few hours so you can recharge.

Limit the Caffeine: As tempting as that fourth cup of coffee may be, try not to overdo it. Caffeine can disrupt your already fragile sleep patterns.

Create a Soothing Routine: A calming bedtime routine can help both you and baby settle into a more predictable sleep pattern. Incorporate gentle activities like a warm bath, soft music, or a bedtime story.

Now, every baby and family is different, and these studies were done with parents where breastfeeding was going well. However, if you are wondering if you should switch to formula to get more sleep, these results might be something you may want to consider when making that decision.

Need more sleep support? I’m here and happy to help! I offer judgement free sleep education coaching. Follow this link here to explore all of my sleep support options.

Make sure to visit our website, shellytaftibclc.com, where you can check out our online parenting community, the baby bistro. You can also follow us on social media at @shellytaftibclc on Instagram. Thanks for reading and see you on the next blog!