Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Some new research for new parents

A couple of new studies have been released recently that would be of interest to new parents.

As reported in Slate, the effects of breastfeeding on babies are in preventing some gastronomical illness but do not appear to have psychological benefits. That still seems to me to make breastfeeding the way to start at least (relative to formula) but it reduces the pressure to continue it beyond three months.

And, as reported in Time, there are great benefits in taking a hard line on sleep. I have written about this previously here and here. Put simply, there is a negotiation to be had and price to be paid. (There is a whole chapter on the issue in Parentonomics. The new research shows that despite my complete lack of expertise, what I advocate there is on the right track).