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Breastfeeding May Improve Nocturnal Sleep and Reduce Infantile Colic: Potential Role of Breast Milk Melatonin

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Sample

N: 94
Subject Ages: Infants ages 2 to 4 months
Location: Not available
SES: Not available
Eligibility: Not available
Additional:
- Breastfeeding infants: Mean weight 5.36 kg; mean gestational age at birth of 39.2 weeks
- Formula-fed infants: Mean weight 5.79 kg; mean gestational age at birth of 39.0 weeks

Hypotheses

Maternal melatonin passes through milk to the infant, and as a result, the infant will have a better nocturnal sleep, earlier establishment of circadian rhythm and decreased incidents of infantile colic.
Melatonin has a relaxing effect on the gastrointestinal system and has a hypnotic effect.

Variables Measured, Instruments Used

Irritability/potential infantile colic and sleep characteristics - questionnaire
Melatonin levels in breastmilk and formula - ELISA

Design—Descriptive

Findings

Exclusively breastfed infants had lower incidence of colic attacks, less severe levels of irritability and longer durations of sleep.
The breastfed infants had more fragmented sleep, but the overall duration of wakefulness at night was similar in both groups.
No melatonin was measured in formula. Melatonin showed a clear circadian curve in human milk.
There was a significant difference in the weight of formula-fed versus breastfed babies, with breastfed babies being significantly lighter.

Limitations

Sample is convenience, not random, so possible selection bias.
Potential psychosocial bias, such as socioeconomic status, the family-unit composition, etc.
Data based on self-report

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