How to Manage Breastfeeding When You Have Help at Night Right from the Start
Bringing a new baby home is a joyful but tiring experience, especially when it comes to those long, sleepless nights. If you’re fortunate enough to have help—whether from a partner, family member, or an infant caregiver (sometimes called a night nanny)—you’re in a great position to balance breastfeeding with much-needed rest. But even with an extra set of hands, it can still be tricky to manage breastfeeding and make sure your baby gets enough milk, particularly in the first few days when your milk supply is still ramping up. Here’s how to navigate breastfeeding at night while making the most of the support you have.
1. Share Responsibilities to Maximize Your Rest
Even though breastfeeding is all on you, your helper can still do a lot to ease the load at night. Here’s how you can share responsibilities to get more rest:
- Diaper Changes and Soothing: When your baby wakes up for a feed, your infant caregiver or partner can handle the diaper changes and bring the baby to you for breastfeeding. This saves you from getting out of bed and lets you conserve energy for the feeding itself.
- Burping and Settling: After you’ve fed your baby, your helper can take care of burping and soothing them back to sleep. This allows you to head back to bed and get a little more sleep between feeds.
- Bottle Feeding Expressed Milk (When You’re Ready): If you’re comfortable with it and have started pumping, your helper can eventually take over one of the nighttime feeds with expressed breast milk. However, it’s important to remember that in the early days, your milk supply is still building, and you may only be able to pump small amounts at first. This is perfectly normal! If your milk is coming in more slowly, you’ll want to prioritize breastfeeding to stimulate your supply. We’ll talk more about how to make sure your baby is getting enough to eat during this time.
2. Addressing Baby’s Nutritional Needs in the Early Days
In the first few days after birth, your baby’s nutritional needs are met by colostrum, a thick, nutrient-rich milk that’s perfectly designed for their tiny stomach. Even though colostrum is produced in small amounts, it’s packed with everything your newborn needs. Your baby’s stomach is only about the size of a marble at birth, so those small amounts are just right!
However, it’s common for milk to come in gradually, and if your supply is slower to increase, it’s important to keep an eye on your baby’s feeding cues and ensure they’re getting enough. Here’s how you can ensure your baby is fed appropriately:
- Monitoring Weight and Diapers: In those early days, track your baby’s wet and dirty diapers to make sure they’re getting enough milk. If your baby is showing signs of hunger even after breastfeeding, your healthcare provider or lactation consultant might suggest supplementing with expressed milk or formula to ensure your baby is receiving enough nutrition.
- Supplementing with Care: If your baby needs a little extra milk while you’re building your supply, supplementing with formula or expressed milk may be helpful. Be sure to use techniques like paced bottle feeding to mimic breastfeeding and avoid overfeeding.
3. Prepare for Night Feeds in Advance
Nighttime feedings can feel easier if you’re well-prepared. Here are a few ways to set yourself up for success:
- Pumping Gradually: If your helper will be giving a bottle of expressed milk during the night, remember that it’s completely normal to pump only small amounts in the beginning. Focus on breastfeeding frequently to stimulate your milk supply, and as your supply increases, you can pump more to have milk available for night feeds.
- Create a Cozy Feeding Station: Set up a comfortable area with everything you need for nighttime feeds—nursing pillows, water, snacks, burp cloths, and anything else that helps you stay relaxed and comfortable.
4. Stay In Sync with Your Helper
Clear communication with your infant caregiver or helper is key to smooth nighttime care. Make sure you’re both on the same page about your baby’s needs:
- Recognizing Baby’s Feeding Cues: Teach your helper how to recognize early feeding cues, like rooting or sucking on their hands, so they can bring the baby to you before they start crying. This makes the feed more peaceful for both you and your baby.
- Track Feeds and Diapers: Keeping a simple log of feeds, diaper changes, and sleep times can help everyone stay organized, especially during those sleep-deprived nights when it’s easy to lose track of time.
5. Take Advantage of Rest During the Night
One of the biggest benefits of having help at night is the chance to get more rest. Be sure to make the most of it!
- Go to Bed Early: If someone else is handling some of the nighttime care, take the opportunity to go to bed early and get as much rest as possible before the first nighttime feed. Your body needs plenty of rest to recover and keep up with breastfeeding demands.
- Sleep Between Feeds: After a nighttime feed, aim to go back to sleep as quickly as possible. Even short naps between feeds can add up and help you feel more refreshed.
6. Keep Your Milk Supply in Mind
To maintain your milk supply during the early days, frequent breastfeeding or pumping is essential. Even if your helper is giving a bottle of expressed milk or formula at night, here’s how to stay on top of your supply:
- Pump If You Skip a Feed: If your helper gives a bottle of expressed milk or formula during the night, try to pump around the same time to maintain your supply. Breastfeeding or pumping frequently is key to building a strong supply in the early weeks.
- Frequent Daytime Feeds: Breastfeed as often as possible during the day to stimulate your milk supply. The more frequently you nurse, the more milk your body will produce.
7. Be Flexible and Give Yourself Grace
Even with help, those first few weeks of breastfeeding and nighttime care can be tough. It’s perfectly okay if things don’t go according to plan, or if you feel overwhelmed at times. Having help at night is a huge support, and it’s all about finding a routine that works for you and your baby.
Remember, every family finds their own rhythm, and it’s okay to adjust things as needed. Whether it’s pumping more, changing who handles which tasks at night, or finding new ways to rest, you’ll figure out what works best for your situation.
Keep In Mind
Managing breastfeeding when you have nighttime help can make the whole experience more manageable. By sharing responsibilities, ensuring your baby’s nutritional needs are met, and taking advantage of the extra rest, you’ll find a balance that works for you and your little one. Just remember to be patient with yourself and trust that both your body and your baby are adjusting to this new routine.
