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Home › Articles › Breast is Best › Sweet Sleep, Safe Sleep

Sweet Sleep, Safe Sleep

How Breastfeeding Reduces the Risk of Obstructive Sleep Apnea

By Gwen Morrison

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"Sleep apnea is a contributing factor in SIDS," says Peters. "In the first few months of life, infants' automatic breathing mechanisms are immature. Periodically, the infant appears to stop breathing and self-starts without any apparent problem."

Breastfed babies sleep less soundly than artificially fed babies. They also receive more tactile stimulation during frequent feeding and may be more easily aroused from episodes of apnea.

"Recent research indicates that breastfeeding helps the proper development of the oral cavity and the total peri-oral musculature," says Peters. "This protects the tongue from dropping back into the mouth from its normal forward resting position – blocking the airway."

It is interesting to note that teams of Scandinavian researchers have found that babies who are breastfed exclusively for at least four months are less likely to die from SIDS than babies who breastfed shorter time periods or not at all.

"Breastfed babies have a better chance of dental health than artificially fed infants because of the effects of breastfeeding on the development of the oral cavity and airway," says Dr. Palmer. "In addition, children with the proper development of a well-rounded, 'U-shaped' dental arch, found more commonly in breastfed children, may have fewer problems with snoring and sleep apnea later in life."

As a mother who has seen firsthand the benefits of breastfeeding, Smith is not surprised by Dr. Palmer's research. "Breast is best," she says. "Science will never surpass nature's perfect food."

*Names have been changed for privacy.
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