10 Things New Moms Don’t Know About Breastfeeding

You’ve probably heard that babies fall asleep while feeding, but did you know that sleep-deprived moms nod off, too?

“When the body releases the hormone oxytocin, it has a calming effect that allows nursing moms to relax,” says Amy Spangler, R.N., I.B.C.L.C., president of babygooroo.com and author of Breastfeeding: A Parent’s Guide (Amy Spangler). “That’s your body taking care of itself: Knowing the importance of sleep, the oxytocin effect is one more example of how breastfeeding protects the body.”