The impact of breastfeeding on mother-baby sleep -- addressing popular myths

Abstract

Does breastfeeding affect sleep, and does sleep affect breastfeeding? The answers to both these questions are largely ‘Yes’, however much of the relevant research is recent, and evidence-based information on the relationship between breastfeeding and sleep has not been part of the training of many clinicians or health professionals. This means that myths and misperceptions about this topic are rarely challenged and can undermine the breastfeeding goals of many new mothers. In this article, we examine twelve myths or misperceptions and the assumptions on which they are based and share the research evidence with which they can be challenged