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Bedsharing promotes breastfeeding
J J McKenna1, S S Mosko, C A Richard
1University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA.
Pediatrics
|August 1, 1997
Summary
Mother-infant bedsharing significantly increases nighttime breastfeeding duration and frequency. This practice may offer protection against sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) by promoting breastfeeding.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Maternal-Child Health
Background:
- Breastfeeding is associated with reduced risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
- Environmental and childcare factors influencing breastfeeding warrant investigation for SIDS prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the effect of mother-infant bedsharing on nocturnal breastfeeding behavior.
- To compare breastfeeding patterns in bedsharing versus solitary sleeping arrangements.
Main Methods:
- Study involved 35 Latino mother-infant pairs (20 bedsharing, 15 solitary sleeping) at 3-4 months of age.
- All infants were exclusively breastfeeding at night.
- Nocturnal breastfeeding was assessed using all-night laboratory polysomnography and videotaping.
Main Results:
- Routinely bedsharing infants breastfed approximately three times longer per night compared to solitary sleepers.
- Bedsharing infants had a two-fold increase in breastfeeding episodes and 39% longer episodes.
- Even within bedsharing pairs, bedsharing nights showed significantly more and longer breastfeeding episodes than solitary nights.
Conclusions:
- Mother-infant bedsharing may protect against SIDS by enhancing nocturnal breastfeeding.
- Increased nursing frequency due to bedsharing could impact maternal reproductive physiology.
- This study provides the first direct measurement of nocturnal breastfeeding behavior in any cultural group.
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