Or to Weissingerize the summary:  Lack of melatonin in formula means that
formula-fed babies may sleep less and cry more.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22205210

Eur J Pediatr. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22205210#> 2012
Apr;171(4):729-32. Epub 2011 Dec 29.
 Breastfeeding may improve nocturnal sleep and reduce infantile colic:
potential role of breast milk melatonin.
Cohen Engler A<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=Cohen%20Engler%20A%5BAuthor%5D&cauthor=true&cauthor_uid=22205210>
, Hadash A<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=Hadash%20A%5BAuthor%5D&cauthor=true&cauthor_uid=22205210>
, Shehadeh N<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=Shehadeh%20N%5BAuthor%5D&cauthor=true&cauthor_uid=22205210>
, Pillar G<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=Pillar%20G%5BAuthor%5D&cauthor=true&cauthor_uid=22205210>
.
 Source

Sleep Lab, Rambam Medical Center, Haifa, Israel. [log in to unmask]
 Abstract

Melatonin is secreted during the night in adults but not in infants. It has
a hypnotic effect as well as a relaxing effect on the smooth muscle of the
gastrointestinal tract. It is plausible that breast milk, which consists of
melatonin, may have an effect on improving infants' sleep and reducing
infantile colic. Our first goal was to assess the differences in the
prevalence and severity of infantile colic and nocturnal sleep between
breast-fed infants and supplement-fed infants. The second was to
characterize the profile of melatonin secretion in human breast milk
compared to artificial formulas. Ninety-four mothers of healthy 2 to
4-month-old infants filled a questionnaire regarding irritability/potential
infantile colic and sleep characteristics. For the second part, we measured
melatonin levels in breast milk of five women every 2 h during 24 h and in
three samples of commonly used artificial formulas. Exclusively breast-fed
infants had a significantly lower incidence of colic attacks (p = 0.04),
lower severity of irritability attacks (p = 0.03), and a trend for longer
nocturnal sleep duration (p = 0.06). Melatonin in human milk showed a clear
circadian curve and was unmeasurable in all artificial milks. CONCLUSIONS:
Exclusive breastfeeding is associated with reduced irritability/colic and a
tendency toward longer nocturnal sleep. Breast milk (nocturnal) consists of
substantial melatonin levels, whereas artificial formulas do not. We
speculate that melatonin which is supplied to the infant via breast milk
plays a role in improving sleep and reducing colic in breast-fed infants
compared to formula-fed ones.



Hannah Katsman, IBCLC
A Mother in Israel <http://AMotherInIsrael.com>: The Cutting Edge of
Israeli Parenting
CookingManager.com <http://CookingManager.Com>: Helping Home Cooks Save
Time and Money

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