Themes
Nighttime Feeding Patterns
The majority (n=10) of mothers reported feeding between two to five times per night. One mother said regarding her nighttime feeding patterns, “…every two to three hours for maybe five minutes at time.” Three mothers reported that the child fed more than five times throughout the night. A mother goes on to explain, “Well, the frequency is frequent. I would say probably once every two hours from her bedtime onward. Her bedtime is typically around 8:15 p.m. and it goes on all night and a good duration of each nursing session is short probably between five and 10 minutes.” These patterns exhibited by the mothers demonstrate more frequent, but relatively short feedings because of the on-demand breastfeeding style that is encouraged with cosleeping.