Does breastfeeding protect against SIDS?

 

There are few things scarier for new parents than the threat of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), the sudden and unexplained death of an infant before his first birthday in which the immediate cause is not obvious. The risk of SIDS generally lessens as babies grow past the peak risk period of 0–6 months. 

For decades, researchers have been working to identify factors that increase and decrease the risk of SIDS. Many, including the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), recognize breastfeeding as one of the factors that lowers the risk of SIDS. A 2017 study found that exclusive breastfeeding for the first 2 months of life helped reduce the risk of SIDS by 50 percent. 

It's important to note that the relationship between breastfeeding and SIDS is dose dependent, meaning the more a baby breastfeeds, the greater the protection against SIDS. Therefore, the AAP encourages mothers to breastfeed as much as possible, for as long as they can to help reduce their baby's risk.

Ways in which breastfeeding is thought to reduce the risk of SIDS:

  • Breastfeeding boosts brain development, particularly for the central nervous system, which is essential to respiratory control during sleep.

  • Breastfeeding fights against illnesses. Oftentimes, babies who succumb to SIDS have had a “minor infection” in the days before death. Infants’ immune systems are immature, and breast milk helps to provide necessary antibodies to fight infections such as RSV, which can contribute to inflammation and lead to SIDS. 

  • Breastfeeding promotes safer sleep. A full night’s sleep may be a good goal for an older child or adult, but lengthy periods of deep sleep are not beneficial for infants. Rather, being able to arouse from sleep periodically (such as to nurse) reduces a baby’s risk of SIDS. Studies show that breastfed infants are more easily aroused from sleep than formula-fed babies. 

  • Breastfeeding supports suck/swallow coordination. Breastfeeding helps to develop the muscles of the oral cavity and throat, helping to keep the airway open.