title: Short-term effects of feed composition on sleeping and crying in newborns.
abstract: To determine whether the composition of feedings would affect newborn behavior independently of the act of feeding itself, 53 two- to three-day-old normal newborns were randomly assigned to receive an extra feeding of water, carbohydrate (lactose), or balanced formula 3 hours after their usual early morning feeding. Previous studies in adult humans and animals, and a single study in human newborns, have indicated that more sleep might be expected following the carbohydrate feed compared with the water and balanced-formula feeds because of recruitment of centrally mediated serotonergic systems. Behavioral effects were assessed for 40 minutes postfeeding by direct observation of the newborn's states (quiet, active, and indeterminate sleep; drowsiness; non-cry wakefulness; and fret/cry). Feed composition did affect behavior, and the effects were fairly specific to particular newborn states. Non-cry wakefulness and drowsiness were unrelated to the presence or type of nutrients, but they tended to occur soon after the meal in all groups. Crying was increased in water-fed newborns relative to both carbohydrate- and formula-fed newborns. Sleeping showed specific patterns of change in all three groups. Sleep duration was increased in the balanced-formula group compared with the water group throughout the observation period. Contrary to the prediction, sleeping duration in carbohydrate-fed newborns never exceeded that of formula-fed newborns; rather, it resembled that of water-fed newborns early in the postprandial period, but formula-fed newborns later. These effects could not easily be explained by potential confounding factors such as handling, volume ingested, caloric intake, or plasma glucose concentration.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
authors.forename: T F
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Oberlander
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Barr
authors.forename: S N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Young
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Brian
mesh_terms: D003448:Crying / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007225:Infant Food; D007227:Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D012701:Serotonin; D012890:Sleep / Q000502:physiology*; D014364:Tryptophan
chemical_list: D012701:Serotonin; D014364:Tryptophan