How does breastfeeding prevent SIDS?

Okay, okay... this is seriously not meant to make formula feeders feel bad (I am one...) but because I find it really interesting. There are dozens of theories as to what causes SIDS, and in one way or another breastfeeding helps to prevent all of them.

Just as an aside, I do know of mothers who have breastfed and still suffered a loss. (Well, I don't KNOW them, but they are members of the "babywings" community either on the site or facebook.) But the ways in which nursing is beneficial is fascinating to me...one thing, and it does so much.

I also included a section on how formula feeders can reap some of the benefits, since this is important.

I have heard an argument many times about this issue. How do we know that breastfeeding helps prevent SIDS when we don't know what causes it? Well, there are plenty of ideas on what causes sudden infant death, and it is my belief that it's probably a combination of ALL of them to some extent. The funny thing is that breastfeeding helps to prevent or lessen the risk of ALL the theories currently floating around. Every one of them I have read so far!

I don't bring this up to make formula feeders feel bad or to tell YOU how to feed YOUR child...but just because knowledge is power. I think if more mothers really understood how the whole thing works, it would allow them to make better choices. This is true no matter HOW you feed your baby, because there are steps formula feeding mothers can take to increase their babies' protection. I'll mention those also.

SIDS explanation number one: Aspiration of milk

One theory for why SIDS occurs states that milk is aspirated into the lungs, causing inflammation. This may not be enough to actually suffocate a child, but enough to cause a reaction which may close up the airways. In fact, some studies have shown that most SIDSbabies have some inflammation of the lungs due to aspirated milk. Others have shown that rather than slowly suffocating, the lungs of SIDS infants seem to close up all at once. It's not a slow death as it would be in a suffocation death, but something more instant.

Both breast and bottle fed babies can aspirate their milk. However, the reaction of the lungs to both substances is strikingly different. When formula enters the lungs, the body immediately recognizes it as a foreign substance and begins taking action. Inflammation can occur, excess mucus is produced to remove the milk, and the child may have difficulty breathing. Sometimes this may be a slight wheezing sound, other times it is more severe.This is part of the immune response.

When breast milk is aspirated, this reaction does not seem to occur. The biologically HUMAN characteristics of breast milk do not cause inflammation because the child's body recognizes the human composition. This makes dangerous reactions much less likely to occur.

SIDS explanation number two: Low serotonin levels

One of the most prominent theories as to what causes SIDS is that the babies who succumb to this condition have underdeveloped or defective brain stems in the area which produces the chemical serotonin. Most of you have probably heard of this chemical in the discussion of depression and mood disorders, but it is also the chemical responsible for waking us up from sleep. It is essentially the opposite of melatonin, or the "sleep hormone."

In a normal person, when blood oxygen levels get too low during sleep due to inhaled carbon dioxide or ineffective breathing, serotonin is released into the brain and causes usto wake up, take a breath, and then we can go back to sleep. Babies who do not have enough of this chemical are not able to rouse themselves, so oxygen levels cannot be increased and the body eventually shuts down. (This is why back to sleep is important. It keeps baby from inhaling too much CO2. Although baby may not suffocate from breathing in CO2, a baby who is susceptible to SIDS may not wake up to move his head or take a deep breath.)

Breastfeeding combats this in two ways. First, the close physical contact required for nursing actually stimulates serotonin production naturally. Since this chemical is also one of the "feel good" chemicals in the body, it is produced in higher amounts during times of bonding and close, loving, physical contact.

Secondly, breastfed babies do not sleep as deeply and they wake more frequently. (This is another reason back to sleep works. Babies naturally sleep better on their tummies, so they sleep more lightly on their backs, making them easier to rouse.) By waking more frequently for feedings and avoiding a deep sleep, SIDS is naturally thwarted.

SIDS explanation number three: Infection

Recently, SIDS has been linked to golden staph bacteria. It was also linked to many other infections previously. I think we all know already that the antibodies found in breast milk ward off infections.

SIDS explanation number four: Vaccines

It is not known WHY yet, but babies who are breast fed have fewer adverse reactions to vaccinations. This could be due to a heightened immune response.

SIDS explanation number five: The Toxic Gas theory

This theory has been widely knocked by SIDS organizations and medical establishments, but it's basis is worth considering. The theory states that molds which are commonly found in mattresses and bedding fabrics grow and react with the chemicals used on these substances as fire retardants. During this reaction, the mold grows and gives off toxic gases which are effectively the same as nerve gas. Most organizations claim that these gases are too heavy and would not be produced in a high enough amount in a mattress to cause death, and this makes sense to me. But, for the sake of argument...lets say it's valid and explain how breastfeeding helps this as well.

The mold in this theory does exist. Deaths were reported back before homes were properly ventilated when molds reacted with chemicals commonly found in wallpaper which then off gassed into the air. This was a very large amount of gas, however, and it took a long time for death to occur.

These molds grow most rapidly in warm, wet, environments. Children who are sick and feverish may cause them to grow more quickly due to the added heat and sweating associated with illness. Breastfeeding, once again, helps to ward off illness and may reduce the chance of fever, thus keeping mattresses cooler and less likely to breed mold.

(This is, at least, is how toxic gas supporters explain the decreased SIDS rates in nursing infants).

NOW FOR US FORMULA FEEDERS:

Although all of these benefits cannot be simulated entirely, there are things we can do to make formula feeding safer in the prevention of SIDS.

* First of all, follow all safety guidelines given by most SIDS organizations. Back to sleep, use a pacifier, run fans in your child's room, avoid using blankets and stuffed animals, and don't allow baby to be overheated.

* If you formula feed, don't co-sleep. This has been shown to increase the risk of SIDS.

* Don't prop bottles and especially do not leave a baby alone with a propped bottle. This increases the chances of baby aspirating his or her milk.

* Hold baby skin to skin against the breast while bottle feeding or use a supplemental nursing system to simulate actual nursing. The skin to skin contact produces higher serotonin levels for our babies too.

* Use pro-biotics to increase baby's immunity. Most formulas nowadays contain PRE-biotics, but I've found many mothers have no idea what this is or they falsely assume they are the same as pro-biotics. Pre-biotics are carbohydrates or sugars which the "good" bacteria found in the digestive tract use as food. By adding them to formula, baby may keep some of his own friendly flora. However, cow's milk is known to kill these bacteria, so supplementation in formula fed babies may be a good idea. These bacteria ward off harmful pathogens (bad bacteria in other words). Nature's One has a good option that is not made from algae or using chemicals.

* Avoid infections at all costs. Wash your hands before making a bottle and after changing diapers. Don't feed bottles that are too old. Keep baby away from well meaning but touchy feely strangers who may have an illness.

As for vaccines and mattress wrapping to avoid toxic gases, I simply encourage everyone to do her own research on these matters and make a fact-based decision. I honestly believe that vaccines are a catch-22. They probably cause plenty of issues, but some of them also prevent issues...so it's really just about the risk YOU are willing to take on both sides of the equation. You can do research on which illnesses are most likely, most dangerous, and more prevalent in your area in order to determine which vaccines you want to do...or you may opt to do none or all of them. Just be aware!

FINALLY...

A note on co-sleeping. Co-sleeping has been shown to both DECREASE and INCREASE SIDS rates. How is this so? Formula feeding mothers should not co-sleep, but some studies suggest that nursing mothers can do so safely. Mothers and babies who breastfeed have an increase in serotonin and other chemicals which make them more easily roused, and it has even been shown that breastfeeding moms have an increase in other hormones which make them tuned in to their babies at all times, even during sleep. In fact, one study showed that in one city which was evaluated due to high SIDS rates...100% of babies who died while sleeping with a parent were formula fed.

The proposed decrease in SIDS rates for breast feeders who co-sleep states that the baby better regulates breathing by sleeping right next to mom and feeling her take in each breath. This sort of "reminds" the baby's body to breath in sync to his mother. Bottle feeders can simulate this to some degree by having baby sleep in the same room, but in another sleeping environment. The effects are not as strong, but baby can still hear you breath and this may keep him from sleeping as deep and help to regulate his breathing with yours.