Breastfeeding and SIDS

   

  Earlier this year, I interviewed a woman who had experienced the loss of a child from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).  Although nearly two decades have passed since her daughter's death at a daycare center, the painful experience left this woman with deep woulds that still haven't completely healed.
 Most new moms have heard about the importance of putting babies to sleep on their back.  Since the Back to Sleep campaign was launched in 1992, SIDS deaths have dropped dramatically.  Now researchers say sleep position may not be the only way to protect a baby against SIDS.  Scientists are linking breastfeeding to a reduced occurrence of SIDS.  After analyzing nearly 20 studies on SIDS and breastfeeding over a 40 year period, the research team discovered a 73% reduced risk of SIDS in babies who were exclusively breastfed.  For babies who were breastfed for any length of time the chance of developing SIDS was 60% lower.
  Although the researchers cannot prove a direct cause and effect relationship, they have come up with some theories to explain the findings.  One thought is that breastfed babies could be more easily aroused than those who receive formula.  Breastfeeding also provides infants with valuable antibodies that could protect them from infection at two to four months of age when they're most likely to develop SIDS.
  The researchers say when doctors advise pregnant women about SIDS reduction techniques, they should add breastfeeding to the list.
  To read more about how to prevent SIDS, click here:  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002533/