A new study, published November 8th in the journal Pediatrics, looked at infant feeding methods and mothers' sleep and her ability to function after giving birth during weeks 2 through 12. The researchers looked at factors like total sleep time, sleep efficiency and fragmentation, reported numbers of nightly awakenings, total nightly wake time, sleep quality and sleepiness or fatigue.
There was no difference between women who were exclusively breastfeeding, exclusively formula feeding or using a combination of the two methods.
These findings suggest that efforts to encourage women to breastfeed should include information about sleep. In particular, women should be told that formula feeding does not equal improved sleep.
To review the study online, go to
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/peds.2010-1269v1.
