[AlpineMama]

And I don't mean the baby! DD has nursed about once an hour through the night since she was born. No problem, right? Well, now that she's getting older and *sometimes* I want to say no to her at night (when I've already nursed her down six times or so) and *sometimes* I am awake without her needing milk... I can't fall asleep without her nursing. I'll just toss and turn until I give in and insert boobie in her mouth. I guess the hormones that are released during nursing are sedative or something? I've been noticing this for weeks now but I thought it was all in my head. Has anyone heard of this happening? Am I that addicted to the nursing hormones?

 

[Jacksmum8]

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlpineMama And I don't mean the baby! DD has nursed about once an hour through the night since she was born. No problem, right? Well, now that she's getting older and *sometimes* I want to say no to her at night (when I've already nursed her down six times or so) and *sometimes* I am awake without her needing milk... I can't fall asleep without her nursing. I'll just toss and turn until I give in and insert boobie in her mouth. I guess the hormones that are released during nursing are sedative or something? I've been noticing this for weeks now but I thought it was all in my head. Has anyone heard of this happening? Am I that addicted to the nursing hormones?

Oh honey!

I can tell you about many a story I have had about prolactin! I have a similar story. I found nursing calmed my nerves better than any prozac or Ativan advert!

I'm with you on this.

Do what feels right, as long as it's not disrupting you or babe, go with your gut.

I'd nurse other peoples babies if it was OK just to get my prolactin hit

Blessings

 

[mizznicole]

I think it's the oxytocin that puts you to sleep. Someone can correct me here. But I'm in the same boat. I'm trying to nightwean. Now I'm getting less sleep than nursing all night, because it takes me longer to fall back asleep after rubbing baby's back and singing to him.

Mommy has a nightwaking problem.

 

[accountclosed2]

I complained to my lactation consultant about this when DD started sleeping longer stretches at night and I was still waking up. She told me that s totally normal, I don't remember if it is oxytocin or something else (this was in May), but it is real and does relax both you and baby (one of few things that relaxes my energetic baby!). LC told me I should be getting used to it in week or so, maybe not wake up so much and be able to go back to sleep without feeding. She was right! That said, it is still the best way to relax us both to sleep anytime!