By Anna Cave-Bigley
When I look at photos from the early weeks of breastfeeding after my first baby, I see a haunted woman. Dark rings under her eyes. A laptop screen's glow while the baby feeds. Work calls and emails that never pause. I was two people at once: mother and founder, both operating on fumes.
What's worse? My supply dipped, driven not by lack of milk, but by shattered sleep and hormonal derailment. It wasn’t intuitive. It was biology: prolactin, oxytocin, cortisol unraveling under exhaustion. So I dove into the lit, tons of murky endocrinology and postpartum studies, to understand what was happening, and what might save me.
1. Prolactin’s Whispered Playlist: Why Night Sleep Matters for Milk Supply
Prolactin, the lactation hormone, pulses on a 24-hour cycle - peaking during deep sleep between 2–6 a.m. Breastfeeding at these hours aligns with nature’s design. But sleep that’s too fragmented flattens those peaks, animal studies confirm chronic deprivation blunts both baseline and peak prolactin output. That explains why my breasts felt slower even when I was feeding relentlessly.
Quick-win hack: Prioritise one consolidated 3–4-hour unbroken stretch before midnight. It’s not rest; it’s a supply-saving tactic.
2. Oxytocin’s Traffic Jam: How Stress Blocks Milk Flow
Prolactin fills the breast; oxytocin releases it. But oxytocin is finicky—elevated cortisol puts a hard brake on it. In high stress or sleep-deprived states, you might have milk, but it won’t flow (Heinrichs et al., 2001). There I was, pumping nothing, failing to realize the blockage was hormonal, not physical.
Break the jam: Skin-to-skin. Warm compresses. Deep breaths. And a calming herbal tea can signal your body that “it’s okay to let go.”
3. Metabolic Mayhem: How Sleep Deprivation Blisters Energy Balance
Sleep loss is metabolic turbulence, shoved insulin resistance and cortisol surges into your bloodstream. When lactation costs ~500 extra kcal/day, you must refuel well. I tried eating less to “set an example” once. My supply cratered in response.
Survival snack: Always have cooked oats with nuts, broth, or nutrient-dense smoothies on hand. It’s fuel for your body.
4. Calm from the Cup: Why Herbata Isn’t Hype
Science meets herbal magic at the edge of exhaustion. Herbs like tulsi lower cortisol, vervain soothes, chamomile whispers calm—all validated in trials (Cohen et al., 2014).
That’s why our Calming Herbata became my evening ally. It wasn’t a band-aid; it was biology saying, “You’ve got a moment.” Rest may be scarce, but calm doesn’t have to be.
5. Naps - Micro-Rest, Macro-Impact
You can't “sleep more,” but you can nap. Even 20–30 minutes drop cortisol and boost mental clarity (Takahashi et al., 1998). Yes, it points at your overwhelmed radar, naps did more to hold me together than nights of shallow slumber.
Pro-tip: Power nap before 3 p.m. or right after a feed.
6. Tend and Befriend: Stress Buffering Is Biological
Motherhood is wired for connection. Oxytocin supports tending-tender caregiving under stress. When I called my Hilary crying, she just sat with me. That biology helped me restore a thread of stability.
Action step: Call another breast-feeding mum or friend every day. Those low-splash water interactions are hormonal anchors.
My Night Inevitable Turned Strategy
At 3 a.m., I’d feel depleted. But then I realized the framework:
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Prolactin needs a block of night sleep → I gave it one.
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Oxytocin is fragile under cortisol → I coaxed it with warmth + calm.
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Fuel fatigue with food, not fasting thoughts → snack loaded.
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Herbal rituals are biochemistry rewired with kindness → cup of calm.
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Naps aren’t optional—they’re triumphs → even 20 minutes was a win.
Why This Matters Beyond Me
Sleep really is hormonal sabotage during breastfeeding. Prolactin rhythms collapse, oxytocin stalls, and metabolism can’t keep pace. But, science also offers micro-strategies that help reclaim hormonal harmony.
Breastfeeding isn't simply about babies. It's actually a four-way race between your body, your sleep, your stress, and your support. Intervening at the hormonal level isn’t optional.
HORMONAL & PROUD
Created as a brand to help women navigate the toughest moments in pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum — and practically every stage of life –– The SABI is changing the narrative around our hormones from one of taboo, embarrassment, and loneliness to awareness and even, pride. As more than a wellness brand, The SABI offers a carefully-crafted line of products to carry you through your hormonal journey, including rituals, supportive tools, and ancient herbal remedies that have been tested time and time again by women and now come backed by medicine. The SABI is a blend of science and nature conceived by women who have experienced the joys and deep struggles of bringing a child into the world, the pains of a heavy, difficult period, miscarriage, and difficulty conceiving.
We invite you to get to know your body and its cycles better –– to really understand what is going on inside. Learn to use your hormones to your advantage no matter your stage of life, and know that you can support and balance your hormone levels. We are here to help with the information, understanding and natural tools to support your body and the emotional process along with it.
DISCLAIMER
The SABI blog and articles are not meant to instruct or advise on medical or health conditions, but to inform. The information and opinions presented here do not substitute professional medical advice or consultations with healthcare professionals for your unique situation.
References
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Walker RF, et al. Prolactin rhythms in women. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1992.
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Meerlo P, et al. Sleep deprivation reduces prolactin secretion in rats. Sleep. 2002.
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Heinrichs M, et al. Cortisol inhibits oxytocin secretion. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2001.
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Spiegel K, et al. Sleep debt: impact on metabolic and endocrine function. Lancet. 1999.
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Cohen MM, et al. Tulsi as an adaptogen. J Ayurveda Integr Med. 2014.
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Takahashi M, et al. Short naps and performance. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 1998.
