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Does it matter what time you breast feed your baby?

breastfeeding

Circadian Rhythm is the body’s biological clock that naturally regulates our sleep-wake cycle every day. Did you know that the contents of breastmilk can help shape baby’s own Circadian Rhythm?
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We’ve known for a while now that the nutrition in breastmilk can be influenced by mama’s diet. What’s even cooler is that its composition will change throughout the day, even in the same nursing session.
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Levels of phenylalanine, tyrosine, methionine, aspartic acid, glycine, tryptophan and histidine — neuroactive amino acids — all fluctuate depending on the time of day. This is thought to promote the production of neurotransmitters that help regulate the sleep-wake cycle, like melatonin for example. This is especially observed in mature milk.
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Research says that breast milk can be superior to formula due to the great developmental benefits this dynamic and rhythmic food can provide.
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“This temporal rhythm exhibited in the components of breast milk may give to the infant a physiological advantage in development, including the sleep function, compared with artificial feeding, given that the amino acid content is constant throughout the day.” (Sánchez, et al. 2013)
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The same research recommends that if you’re pumping, to feed the expressed milk to the baby at the same time of day that it was pumped to help further regulate their Circadian Rhythm.
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“In conclusion, breast milk should be given to the baby at the same time of day it is expressed. Thus, the baby would be adjusting its circadian pattern in harmony with his environment (day/night), which is crucial for the proper functioning and synchronization of all systems in the human body.” (Sánchez, et al. 2013)
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The sophistication of mother nature always astounds me!
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Of course, this post is not meant to diminish the hard work of mothers that cannot or have chosen not to breastfeed. Much love to all the mamas out there!

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This is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare professional before pursuing any changes to your personal healthcare regime.

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References

Cubero, J. Valero, V. Sánchez, J. Rivero, M. Parvez, H. Rodriguez, A.B. Barriga, C. (2005). The circadian rhythm of tryptophan in breast milk affects the rhythms of 6-sulfatoxymelatonin and sleep in newborn. Retrieved from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16380706/. 

Found My Fitness. Breast milk and breastfeeding. Retrieved from: https://www.foundmyfitness.com/topics/breastfeeding?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=aliquot001reminder#breast-milk-composition.

Sactobirth. The Amazing Circadian Rhythms of Breastmilk: Why and When Your Baby is Most Hungry. Retrieved from: https://www.sactobirth.com/blog/2020/1/8/the-amazing-circadian-rhythms-of-breastmilk-why-and-when-your-baby-is-most-hungry.

Samuel, T.M. Zhou, Q. Giuffida, F. Munblit, D. Verhasselt, V. Thahhar, S.K. (2020). Nutritional and Non-nutritional Composition of Human Milk Is Modulated by Maternal, Infant, and Methodological Factors. Retrieved from: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2020.576133/full.

Tinu Mary Samuel1†, Qianling Zhou1†‡, Francesca Giuffrida1, Daniel Munblit2,3, Valérie Verhasselt4 and Sagar K. Thakkar5

Sánchez, C.L. Cubero, J. Sánchez, J. Franco, L. Rodriguez, A.B. Rivero, M. Barriga, C. (2013). Evolution of the circadian profile of human milk amino acids during breastfeeding. Retrieved from: https://jab.zsf.jcu.cz/artkey/jab-201302-0002_evolution-of-the-circadian-profile-of-human-milk-amino-acids-during-breastfeeding.php.

Saxbe, D. Hahn-Holbrook, J. (2019). Human breast milk may help babies tell time via circadian signals from mom. Retieved from: https://dornsife.usc.edu/news/stories/3060/breast-milk-helps-babies-tell-circadian-rhythm-from-mom/.

Tillman, B. (2015). Retrieved from: Breast Milk’s Circadian Rhythms. Retrieved from: https://www.llli.org/breast-milks-circadian-rhythms-2/.

 

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Remember: this post is for informational purposes only and may not be the best fit for you and your personal situation. It shall not be construed as medical advice. The information and education provided here is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional medical treatment, advice, and/or diagnosis. Always check with your own physician or medical professional before trying or implementing any information read here. While the owner of this website tries to keep the information up to date, there may be things that are out-of-date and out of their control.