Operation Lactation

I recently came across some research that proves yet another AMAZING! superpower of breastmilk. I have thought that babies could smell their mommas, and were acutely aware of the presence (or absence) of their mother's milk. When I come across a family in need of a serious break from a discontented baby, especially on THE Second Night, and I take baby to the nursery to hang out, that once fussy baby falls sound asleep. As much as I would like to think I am "the baby whisperer", I know that this phenomenon has nothing to do with me. When baby no longer can smell momma, there is nothing to do but to fall asleep. This is another way that nature ensures that babies get what they need because the smell of that great breastmilk encourages baby to Demand it. The new thing that I learned is that the smell of breastmilk also can reduce pain perception for baby. 👃

This particular study observed the effect that the odor of breastmilk has on a premature baby undergoing a venous stick (i.e. to gain IV access or to collect blood). Of course, this sometimes necessary procedure is not comfortable for anyone, including a newborn, so it is to be expected that baby would exhibit a physical pain response. And there are scales that we use to rate a baby's pain response objectively. So what they did is collect samples of breastmilk from the baby's momma and used a diffuser to spread the scent in baby's room. Half the babies in the study were smelling their momma's milk during the venous stick while the other half were not. AND A COOL THING HAPPENED! The babies who were smelling their momma's milk tolerated the procedure better and recovered quicker than the babies who were not smelling milk. I think that is pretty awesome.

In my experience, a pacifier and sugar water are used to help babies during painful procedures because sucking and sugar have also been found to be pain relievers for babies. Other research has shown that babies are born with good noses that can discern between the smell of their momma and not their momma. I think that this new research could give us (medical professionals and parents) the ability to further ease the stress that newborns experience. So I say let's harness the power of those cute little sniffers!

If it is necessary for your little one to undergo an uncomfortable procedure, you could consider skin-to-skin, facilitating sucking (pacifier or your finger), breastfeeding and/or utilizing your expressed breastmilk for a sweet taste or good smell. And just like that you have some new superpowers, I mean you did create new life, it's easy to believe you can do more!

Peace, joy and blessings!

Baudesson de Chanville, A., Brevaut-Malaty, V., Garbi, A., Tosello, B., Baumstarck, K., and Gire, C. (2017). Analgesic Effect of Maternal Human Milk Odor on Premature Neonates: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Human Lactation, 33(2), 300-308.