Arrghhh, when will it ever stop? Don't these researchers have a clue
that breast-fed babies *need* to nurse through the night, that sleep
problems are a product of our culture and that by denying newborns (or
any age baby for that matter) frequent feeds at night increases the
likelihood of Mom losing her milk supply---especially at such a critical
time??
OK, end of rant...
This study is at Medscape: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/448348
Frequent Feeding Disrupts Night Sleep for Babies
Laurie Barclay, MD
Jan. 23, 2003 - Newborn infants that feed too often are at high risk for
disrupted night sleep, according to a report in the January issue of the
Archives of Disease in Childhood. However, these infants may benefit
from a simple preventive behavioral program.
"Many Western parents find infant and child night waking to be a source
of substantial stress, both for themselves and their relationships with
their children," write M. Nikolopoulou and Ian St. James-Roberts, from
the University of London, U.K.
In a community sample of 316 newborn infants, those who had more than 11
feeds per 24 hours at one week of age were 2.7 times (95% confidence
interval, 1.5 - 4.8) more likely to fail to sleep through the night at
12 weeks of age.
The infants and their families were randomized to receive one of three
interventions: a three-step behavioral program, an educational booklet
and helpline access for sleeping problems, or routine services. The
behavioral program consisted of maximizing the difference between night
and day environments by minimizing light and social interaction at
night; avoiding feeding or cuddling at night; and from the age of three
weeks, gradually delaying feeds when the baby awoke at night.
At 12 weeks, 82% of at-risk infants who received the behavioral program
slept through the night, compared with 61% of at-risk infants who
received the other interventions. The findings were similar for both
bottle- and breast-fed babies.
"Preventing infant sleeping problems should be more cost-effective than
treating them after they have arisen," the authors write. "This study
provides evidence that it is possible to identify infants who are at
risk of failing to sleep through the night at an early age, and that a
simple, three step, preventive behavioral program increases the number
who sleep through the night by 21%."
Arch Dis Child. 2003;88:108-111
Reviewed by Gary D. Vogin, MD
Sweet Nursings,
Robyn Roche-Paull
LLL Leader San Diego
******************
Mama to Morgan (6), Siobhan (3), and Tiernan (due 2/12/03)
********************************************
Who can say what flows through the breast along with the nutrients and
antibodies?
Perhaps our children grow strong on memory, spirit, dream and story...
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