Even when the baby needs continual attention during the mother's usual sleep period, it may be easier for the mother to adjust her sleeping habits than to attempt to change the baby's. If the baby is an only child, the mother might be able to take the phone off the hook, put a sign on the front door, and sleep blissfully until noon or whenever the baby decides to wake. But sometimes a change in the mother's schedule isn't possible. A working mother whose maternity leave expires before baby is sleeping more soundly may find it impossible to nap. The next step then, is to consider whether any reason for the baby's schedule can be identified.
Caffeine is a stimulant which passes into breast milk.
If caffeine seems to be the cause of the problem, it may not be necessary to abstain totally. Food allergies also may be involved. These were ultimately attributed to her sensitivity to foods that I was eating and passing through my breast milk. Evening is the most painful time and morning the most comfortable for many infants with colic. Perhaps this is because the mother does not eat during the night.