Motherhood is an intricate journey. After struggling to find a good sleeping position during pregnancy, you thought it would get better after giving birth.
Nowadays, you enjoy lying on your stomach. You find the position comfortable, less strenuous, and great for nursing your little one. Amazingly, you can easily drift to sleep, and your back doesn’t hurt anymore. However, how much do you know about breastfeeding and sleeping on your stomach?
Read on.
Breastfeeding And Sleeping On Your Stomach: Is It Safe?
Sleeping on your stomach may be seemingly comfortable but unsafe for breastfeeding mothers. It may have risks, including breast engorgement, infections (mastitis) and painful ribs that may affect your health and breastfeeding.
Lying on your chest and stomach may affect breast ducts, interfering with proper milk flow to the nipples. In due time, you may start experiencing decreased milk supply which is stressful for any lactating mother.
During the recovery process after delivery, comfort is vital. If sleeping on your stomach is the most comfortable, consult your lactation specialist for expert advice. You don’t want to wake up with painful breasts amid the cries of a hungry baby.
Is It Bad To Sleep On Stomach If Breastfeeding?
It’s okay to sleep in any position when breastfeeding as long as your health allows. I know you need maximum comfort and rest for quick recovery postpartum.
However, you are lactating and should protect your breasts too. Experts recommend exclusive breastfeeding for six months. It’s wise to do everything possible to ensure your little one is breastfed as required – including adjusting how you sleep.
The stomach-sleeping position may present risks as follows
- Breast engorgement- Sleeping on your stomach can seriously harm your milk ducts. It exerts pressure on your breasts, inhibiting milk flow. When breast milk accumulates, your baby can’t nurse well, leaving your breasts painful, full, tight, swollen and tender.
This condition is known as breast engorgement. Symptoms go away after 1-2 days. You may use cold packs to soothe the discomfort. If the pain gets out of hand, consult your doctor right away.
- Mastitis- Mastitis is a prevalent condition among nursing mothers. According to the American family physician, about 10-20% of lactating mothers in the U.S suffer from mastitis.
The infection occurs as milk accumulates in your milk ducts, causing lumps and breast tissue inflammation. Mastitis is characterized by redness, swelling, and pain in your breasts and is a leading cause of breastfeeding cessation among women.
Express milk constantly – though painful- to relieve mastitis symptoms. If it doesn’t get better, ask your doctor about antibiotics to treat this infection.
- Painful ribs
I’m sure you wouldn’t want additional issues on top of recovery and taking care of your munchkin. Stomach sleeping also affects your ribs, causing pain, especially when breathing. The good news is that you’ll be fine soon after adjusting your sleeping position.
- Messy leakages
Sleeping on your stomach makes your nipples directly in contact with your bedding. All the pressure is directed to your chest, causing letdowns that may mess up your clothes and sleeping area.
The stomach position is one of the most comfortable sleeping styles. I tried it while pregnant and gave up, but soon my baby clocked two months; I couldn’t resist stomach sleeping anymore.
Unfortunately, I suffered a painful mastitis infection twice before my doctor advised me against it until my baby stopped breastfeeding.
I’d advise you to postpone the fun until the baby grows up. The pain of breast engorgement and mastitis is enough for you to try other better sleeping positions when lactating
Does Sleeping On Your Stomach Hurt Your Milk Supply?
Yes. Stomach sleeping is not one of the best positions if you’re breastfeeding. Imagine sipping fresh juice using a partially-blocked straw. What happens? The juice comes out in minimal quantities since most of it can’t flow through properly.
This is the same scenario. All pressure is directed to your breasts when you sleep on your stomach. They get fuller, and milk can’t flow since the nipples touch your bedding.
This lack of flow causes stagnation, clogging, plugging or blocking in the breast milk ducts resulting in decreased milk supply.
Additionally, your baby can’t nurse as required when your breasts swell and hurt due to infections/conditions such as mastitis or breast engorgement.
The Best Sleeping Positions For Breastfeeding Moms
While many women love sleeping on their stomachs, take extra caution when you have a baby. You may wonder, “Can sleeping on my stomach affect breastfeeding?” It may cause infections and interfere with your milk supply.
That said, which are the best sleeping positions when you’re lactating?
- The Lying-on –the –side position
This is the most popular sleeping position for breastfeeding moms. It involves lying on your side and putting your little one in the side position when they are nursing.
Support your head with pillows for maximum comfort. Since you’ll be relaxing, milk is likely to flow better.
The side position also reduces strain and is suitable for women with large breasts. However, support your baby’s neck/head at all times, especially if they haven’t firmed their head.
Also, be careful to prevent milk from getting into your baby’s lungs. Side-lying may also cause ear infections since milk can easily flow into your munchkin’s ears.
- The back-inclined position
The back-incline is another suitable position. If you’re worried about straining your back, elevate your upper body using pillows. A study by Pub med central confirmed improved respiratory safety and better sleep quality among postpartum women with a 45-degree upper body elevation.
Aside from comfort, the position allows you to hold your baby appropriately when nursing without sitting up whenever your baby needs to feed at night.
- The laid-back position
Also known as the biological or laid-back position, back lying is another good alternative. It may be uncomfortable for some mothers since you should ensure your back lies straight.
For C-section mothers or ones with twins/triplets, the laid-back position saves you from sleep disruptions. Use pillows to support your knees, neck, and legs for maximum comfort.
What matters when choosing any sleeping position is comfort and safety. You need a good night’s sleep while your little one requires constant feeding during the night.
It’s best to pick a position that allows you to rest while enabling you to adjust easily without straining if you have to care for your munchkin.
If you delivered your baby through a caesarian section, stomach sleeping affects breastfeeding and hurts your healing wound. Talk to your lactation expert or physician to find the most suitable sleeping position.
Tips To Help You Breastfeed Safely While Lying Down
Breastfeeding while lying down has risks and benefits. Whether lying on your side, inclining your back, or back-sleeping, it’s best to consider if it interferes with your munchkin’s milk supply and safety.
Concerns like, “Can sleeping on your stomach affect breast milk?” are common in most breastfeeding forums. Some women still sleep on their stomachs without a problem, but generally, experts recommend against it.
All sleeping positions need extra caution for lactating mothers. The following are helpful tips for safe breastfeeding while lying down:
- Create a safe nursing environment
Sleepiness and fatigue make nighttime breastfeeding overwhelming. To avoid accidents, keep the breastfeeding area clean and free from unnecessary clothes or pillows.
- Feed your baby constantly
Your body has a natural breast milk refill system. If your baby drains breast milk constantly, your body sends a signal to the mind asking for more milk. This constant breastfeeding prevents milk duct clogging, which could lead to mastitis.
- Support your breasts
Supporting breasts while breastfeeding is crucial. When breastfeeding in any lying down position, support your breasts using hands or pillows to avoid unnecessary letdowns and, in some cases- suffocation.
Soft banded bras with special nursing pads support your breasts while protecting them from tissue damage in case of pulling/tagging.
- Use comfortable sheets and bedding.
Bed sheets made with rough fabric may not deliver the comfort you deserve. Bamboo sheets have moisture-absorption properties; hence you don’t need to worry about messy leaks and dampness when breastfeeding while lying down.
- Keep awake when breastfeeding.
It’s tempting to fall asleep at the sound of your munchkin breastfeeding, especially when lying on the side. Try to stay awake and watch them feed to avoid accidents.
Wrapping Up
Breastfeeding is crucial during your baby’s formative months. However, it may be tricky to know how to do it best.
Breastfeeding and sleeping on your stomach is often an issue of great concern. Stomach sleeping is unsafe for breastfeeding mothers since it may cause breast engorgement, mastitis or painful ribs.
The side-lying, laid-back and back-inclined positions are better options as they give you comfort without interrupting with milk flow. However, avoid sleeping while breastfeeding for your baby’s safety.
Padded nursing bras, support pillows, and bamboo sheets are excellent ways to ensure safe breastfeeding. If you need clarification about the best sleeping position, consult your doctor.
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