Safe Infant Sleep by James J. McKenna

Author:James J. McKenna
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Platypus Media
Published: 2019-12-09T16:00:00+00:00

Exciting new neurobiological research on the developing human infant’s brain has shown that breastmilk increases the density of “white matter,” or brain cells that facilitate cell to cell (neuron to neuron) communication.118

One large-scale study comparing breast, mixed-, and bottle-feeding infants’ weight gain showed that higher (meaning healthier) weight gain was associated with more frequent breastfeeding.105

Breastmilk also contains immunoglobulin and cytokines, which help stave off infections that are believed to contribute to SIDS.103 Multiple studies reveal that more breastfeeding translates to more protection from SIDS.12, 99, 105 This is why the American Academy of Pediatrics now recommends breastfeeding as a preventative measure against many conditions and diseases.

Frequent breastfeeding ensures that infants receive greater immunological benefits than infants who are exclusively or primarily formula-fed. The more often babies nurse, and the more breastmilk they are given, the more antibodies they receive. These are designer antibodies, produced by the mother specifically to fight bacteria found in the infant’s own home environment and any viruses or bacteria to which the mother and baby are exposed. For newborns, who are particularly vulnerable to disease because of their immature immune systems, these antibodies can provide vital protection from dangerous, fast-acting, and potentially fatal infectious diseases.102

Until relatively recently, we had no scientific evidence regarding how many infant lives breastfeeding might save in industrialized nations. Even in a country like the United States, where infectious diseases are largely under control due to our strict sanitary practices, a recent epidemiological study showed that approximately 720 American babies die each year from congenital or infectious diseases, or illness complications, because they were not fed breastmilk.61 This study clearly demonstrates that, even in a highly industrialized Western culture, the number of infant lives saved by breastfeeding is impressive.

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