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Published on: September 22, 2023
Breastfeeding and infant sleep patterns: an Australian population study
Megan Galbally1, Andrew J Lewis, Kerri McEgan
1Perinatal Mental Health Unit, Deakin University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. mgalbally@mercy.com.au
Insights
Breastfeeding at six months is linked to increased night waking and difficulty sleeping alone in infants. However, it offers protection against respiratory issues, suggesting a trade-off for infant health.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Infant Sleep Studies
- Lactation Research
Background:
- Sustained breastfeeding rates in Western countries are low.
- Understanding infant sleep patterns is crucial for parental well-being and public health.
- Previous research has explored the benefits of breastfeeding, but its impact on infant sleep requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between breastfeeding at six months and infant night waking.
- To determine if breastfed infants are less likely to sleep alone compared to formula-fed infants.
- To explore potential biological mechanisms linking breastfeeding and infant sleep.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from The Longitudinal Study of Australian Children, a nationally representative cohort.
- Included 4507 infants, examining breastfeeding at six months as the primary exposure.
- Controlled for covariates including maternal mental health, infant birthweight, and gestational age.
Main Results:
- Breastfed infants at six months were 66% more likely to wake at night.
- Breastfed infants were 72% more likely to experience difficulty sleeping alone.
- Breastfeeding demonstrated a protective effect against wheezing, coughing, snoring, and breathing problems.
Conclusions:
- Breastfeeding at six months is associated with increased night waking, consistent with existing literature.
- Biological factors may necessitate night waking to support continued breastfeeding.
- Public health strategies should reconsider recommendations for prolonged infant sleep in light of breastfeeding benefits.
Objective:
Our purpose was to determine if babies breastfed at 6 months of age were more likely to wake at night and less likely to sleep alone than formula-fed babies.
Patients And Methods:
Data were drawn from the first wave of The Longitudinal Study of Australian Children, an ongoing, nationally representative study of the growth and development of Australia's children. The 4507 participants met the criteria for this study. The measures examined infant sleep problems as the outcome and breastfeeding at 6 months of age as the exposure in addition to the demographic data, maternal mental health, infant birthweight and gestational age at delivery.
Results:
After adjustment for covariates, reports by mothers of infants that breastfed at 6 months of age suggested infants were 66% more likely to wake during the night and 72% more likely to report difficulty sleeping alone. However, breastfeeding had a strongly protective effect on wheezing, coughing, snoring and breathing problems, and it was not associated with restless sleep or problems getting to sleep for the infant.
Conclusions:
Breastfeeding was found to be associated with increased night waking and this is consistent with other studies. There are biological reasons why this might be required to ensure breastfeeding continues to 6 months and beyond. The current low rates of sustained breastfeeding in many Western countries needs to be reconsidered in relation to parental and public health practices promoting prolonged nocturnal infant sleep patterns.
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