Research Shows Relaxed Nursing Positions Could Be Best

New research shown at the 2007 International Research Conference at the Royal College of Nursing in Dundee shown that lying down or being in a semi-reclined position while breastfeeding may increase the chances of success.

Dr. Suzanne Colson, senior midwifery lecturer at Canterbury Christ Church University, studied 40 healthy mothers with healthy full-term babies who were breastfeeding at six weeks, as well as looking at 14 mothers who were bottle feeding their infants. To see if the feeding position helped the mothers she video taped the women breastfeeding in both sitting up positions and lying down or reclining. In the study Dr. Colson spotted 17 reflexes in the infants while they were nursing lying down or reclining, however there were only 3 reflexes promoted in breastfeeding while sitting up.

Her research of these mothers found that those who breastfed lying down or in a semi-reclined position had the greatest success. The lying down position while breastfeeding is most similar to the nursing positions of most mammals. The majority of the women in the study complained of problems with breastfeeding, yet all of the women continued nursing after using the technique advised by Dr. Colson.

Dr. Colson commented "I wanted to look at whether something called 'biological nurturing' where babies are placed lying close to the mother's breast, for example, while sleeping triggers primitive reflexes seen in many other mammals which encourage feeding. What was interesting to note is that when mothers were lying flat or semi-reclined babies could find the breast easier and in many cases attach themselves and feed whilst asleep."

Dr. Colson was presented with the first Justus Akinsanya Award for Innovation in Doctoral Studies in Nursing for her research "The Mechanisms of Biological Nurturing". Professor Martin Johnson, from the University of Salford and a member of the Akinsanya Award Judging Panel presented her with a certificate and cheque for £250 at a ceremony during the conference.

Bottle feeding in a lying down position is not recommended because it increases the risk of ear infections in infants. This is because the liquid can enter the eustachian tube and introduce bacteria or viruses into the middle ear. Breastmilk, however, has many antibacterial qualities that help prevent the bacteria from becoming bothersome. If breastmilk does back up into the eustachian tube and into the ear human milk is less irritating than formula and juice on the delicate tissue of the inner ear. Breastfed babies also have fewer respiratory allergies, another cause of fluid building up in the middle ear, which sets the stage for bacteria to grow and cause ear infections.