Sleep patterns will be restored in breastfed babies
17/10/2011
Babies who are breastfed will only have disrupted sleep patterns at the outset, with normal order eventually restored, research has shown.
Results published at the American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference and Exhibition in Boston showed that breastfed babies initially wake up more frequently for feedings.
Mothers were asked to fill in the Brief Infant Sleep Questionnaire, which found that parents of exclusively breastfed children reported more waking during the night and fewer naps.
Furthermore, there were more instances of the infant failing to sleep in their own bed.
These habits were also found to be prevalent three months later, although after six months, the majority of these issues were no longer a problem.
In fact, the only difference between breastfed and non-breastfed groups was that the former were less likely to wake up in their own bed.
Study lead author Jodi Mindell commented: "Families should not be concerned about establishing any long-term sleep issues when breastfeeding."
Posted by Michael Ewing
