I vividly remember those first few months of feeding my daughter: I was exhausted after premature labor, a C-section, and then a two-week stay in intensive care. Once home, my husband and I would take turns feeding her at night, and I’m sure I accidentally closed my eyes once or twice while in the highchair. Even if only for a minute or two, it’s scary – but common. In fact, 28% of new moms report falling asleep while feeding, according to a recent study published in Pediatrics.

“It’s really important for moms to know that the likelihood of falling asleep while breastfeeding, especially when they’re breastfeeding, is very, very high,” study researcher Fern Hauck, MD. he told BabyCenter. “That means the babies are in a potentially dangerous situation.” The risk of sudden unexpected infant death (SUID) is higher when babies are in an unsafe sleeping environment (which could be the case if a parent falls asleep where they are feeding).

The good news is that there are ways to prevent napping while feeding. dr. Hauck, a family medicine practitioner and professor of public health sciences at the University of Virginia School of Medicine, shares how to arrange your space for optimal safety and what to do if you’re having trouble staying awake.

How common is it to fall asleep while feeding your baby?

More than a quarter of new moms (28% to be exact) said they fell asleep while feeding at some point in the past few weeks. The research included 1,250 mothers with babies aged 2 to 3 months. Of the moms who said they fell asleep, 83% said they did it by accident.

And overall, it’s probably much more common than this study even suggests, says Dr. Hauck. “We surveyed moms over a period of two to three weeks, but I bet if you ask moms over a longer period of time, even more will say yes, they fell asleep.”

It’s really important for moms to know that the likelihood of falling asleep while breastfeeding, especially when breastfeeding, is very, very high.

– Fern Hauck, MD

How to feed your baby safely when you are tired

It’s normal to feel tired after giving birth, and getting comfortable nursing your baby actually releases oxytocin, which can help you feel relaxed – and therefore sleepy.

But there are ways to make nighttime feedings safer for you and your baby, says Dr. Hauck.

• Feed your baby on a firm mattress. “The data shows that in terms of SIDS and suffocation risk, there is a much higher risk of infant death on the surface of a couch or sofa,” says Dr. Hauck. Compared to a firm mattress, a chair provides much less room for your baby to move around. They can fall or slip into a crack, which can cause them to become trapped or suffocate. “There’s more room in the bed in case you fall asleep,” she adds.

  Before feeding in bed, remove any pillows that may be nearby and remove heavy comforters and all loose bedding (such as blankets), advises Dr. Hauck, specializing in Sudden Unexpected Infant Deaths (SUIDS), including Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

• Let your baby sleep in your room for the first six months, advises the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Whether they’re in a crib, stroller, or pack and play, ideally their sleeping environment should be right next to you, making it easier (and more convenient) for you to feed them. It is important to note that while the AAP recommends room sharing for babies, not recommended the bed sharing.
• Have ongoing conversations with your pediatrician. “Doctors should ask where you put your baby to sleep at night, how he’s doing, and whether or not you’re having any difficulties,” says Dr. Hauck. That way, you’ll feel comfortable sharing your current situation and asking the question “It’s essential to have open communication with your child’s doctor.”

How to avoid falling asleep while feeding

After accidentally dozing off for a few minutes, I remember waking up and thinking that I would do everything possible to stay awake next time. Here are the tips and strategies of Dr. How to stay alert:

• Have someone with you while you feed: If you have a partner or someone else helping you at home, have them stay awake while you feed – and check on you from time to time. “If mom is feeding and they go to sleep, the partner can take the baby and put the baby in their safe space, or help keep mom awake, talk to her, entertain her, and be involved,” says Dr. Hauck. You can also have your partner pick up the baby when you’re done feeding, so they can burp and change the baby while you sleep.
• Set a timer: dr. Hauck says many moms talk about setting timers for about 20 minutes. “They’ll set an alarm on their phone and if they do fall asleep towards the end of the feed, it will wake them up so they can put their baby back in the crib or bassinet.” You can use the alarm function of your phone or any smart home device.
• Watch the show or listen to the podcast: I was watching drunk working moms, listened to a LOTS of podcasts, and shopped online during late night shows. for shows, BabyCenter VAT I swear Office, Gilmore Girls, New girland Modern family. And for podcasts, many recommend Smartless (one of my favorites too), A toast, True Crimeand Morbid.

If you do fall asleep while feeding your baby, immediately put him back in the cradle or crib as soon as you realize it, advises Dr. Hauck. And don’t beat yourself up – we’re all doing the best we can in the first few months.