Breastfeeding and infant sleep:a review / 中国实用护理杂志

ABSTRACT

Sufficient and organized sleep is a key factor during the developmental process of infancy while disrupted sleep schedule and diseases might lead to sleeping disorders in infants. Breastfeeding is considered to be the most beneficial way to meet the nutritional needs of infants for optimal growth and development. The α-lactalbumin-tryptophan-melatonin axis, nucleotides, and other factors are breast milk components that may affect infant sleep. Meanwhile, diet, feeding schedule, tobacco smoking, alcohol intake, and caffeine consumption will affect the circadian rhythms which might lead to the fluctuations of sleep-influencing factors in breast milk. This study reviews literature of previous studies on this topic to summarize information that can be considered for both breastfeeding practice and future basic research on the establishment of organized sleep patterns in infants.