Here’s some good news for new moms: That women who breast-feed sleep the same amount as those who bottle-feed. This is an important issue since bottle-feeding has been shown to cause or aggravate dental crowding and malocclusions. Having smaller jaws (think smaller mouth) crowds the tongue and other soft tissues of the mouth and throat, aggravating or promoting obstructive sleep apnea.
This brings up a very sensitive issue, which implies that infants should be breast fed by using the natural breast, rather than pumping and using a bottle. Most modern women don’t have the luxury, time, or the resources to breast feed exclusively for 6 months or longer. Work schedules, caring for other children, and other demands of modern society makes breast-feeding difficult.
My feeling is that women (with spousal support) should do everything possible to breast feed, but shouldn’t feel guilty for not being able to do so. Everyone has unique circumstances, and ultimately, not everything we want to do is under our control.
What are your thoughts on this issue?
Hi Dr. Park!
I was actually doing a search on “laughter apnea” thinking that laughter might be good medicine for apnea. Apparently breastfeeding benefits both mother and child in many ways, especially if the mother laughs a lot.
http://breastfeeding.blog.motherwear.com/2007/06/more_benefits_o.html
Yup, what this world needs is more happy moms!
Have a great week!
Tod Merley