Allowing the baby to go to sleep in his parent's arms or with the breast, bottle or a pacifier in his mouth, is simply patterning the need for this association and environmental support into the infant's sleep habits. By about 3-4 weeks of age, the newborn begins to sustain longer periods of awake time, and his sleep cycle is changing so that he spends longer time in quiet, deep sleep and stays awake longer between feedings. Quiet talk, smooth movements and a rub-down or gentle massage after the bath are approaches that can comfort and calm both the infant and his caregiver at the end of a busy day. Infants who go to bed earlier at night gradually develop longer initial periods of uninterrupted sleep in a short time, usually within 3 to 7 days. Allowing the very young infant long periods of uninterrupted night sleep does not lessen the total food taken in over 24 hours, nor does it lower the rate of weight gain.
Infants make up for loss of night feedings by eating more during daytime feedings.
Production of breast milk will naturally alter to meet the infant's needs as the infant gradually lengthens out the first uninterrupted night sleep period. In the early weeks, mothers are advised to pump as needed for comfort if their breasts fill before the infant wakens to feed. Parents are encouraged to avoid waking the sleeping infant if at all possible. With proper environmental support, most infants will gradually lengthen out both day and night sleep times to obtain sleep adequate for their health and well-being. Interrupting sleep to feed or for any reason is frustrating for both infant and parent and often non-productive as well.