Many of us are aware of human milk’s amazing ability to provide for our infants’ changing nutritional needs with age. Recent research suggests that its composition shifts in synch with mom’s circadian rhythms as well, giving breastfed babies a leg up in neurological development, chrononutrition and sleep patterns. This presentation discusses the diurnal cycles of the following breast milk components: wakefulness vs. sleep-inducing amino acids, hormones (such as melatonin), trace elements, and even some nucleotides. Clinical implications include improving use of pumped breast milk. The presentation concludes with a brief look at other factors related to breastfeeding and infant sleep, including SIDS rates, skin-to-skin, and room sharing.
Learning Objectives:
Objective 1: Learn about the relationship between circadian rhythms and neurological development Objective 2:
Identify and understand the purpose of substances that display circadian rhythms in human milk Objective 3:
Become aware of implications for clinical practice, especially as it relates to working mothers or mothers who must be separated from their babies
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