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Laughter Makes Breast Milk Healthier

LaughterAccording to a new study, breastfed babies with eczema experienced milder symptoms if their mothers laughed hours before feeding them.

Breastfeeding mothers were shown either a Charlie Chaplin movie or weather information, and samples of their breast milk were taken at regular intervals afterwards.

Their babies" allergic reactions to dust mites and latex was also measured two milk feeds afterwards.

Infants whose mothers laughed had markedly reduced allergic reactions. There were also significantly higher levels of melatonin in the laughing mothers" milk.

Melatonin, which is associated with relaxation, tends to have reduced levels in people with eczema.



Journal of Psychosomatic Research June 2007;62(6):699-702

NewScientist.com June 16, 2007



Dr. Mercola"s Comment:

Laughter is one of those simple joys in life that just feels good. And it"s good for you body, too -- in more ways than many may have realized as now you can add improving the quality of breast milk to its list of benefits.

So if you"re a breastfeeding mom, or a mom-to-be, keep in mind that laughter is not only good for you, but your baby too! Babies with eczema especially benefited in the study, but any baby will benefit from reduced allergic reactions.

We could all actually benefit from more laughter in our days. There is a mountain of research that demonstrates the beneficial effects that positive emotions can have on your health:

If you open your mind to it, I suspect you"ll find plenty of reasons to laugh and smile today, even if you"re just going about your daily routine.

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Comment on This Article Community Comments (15)
 
 
Posted On Jun 15, 2007
How about laughing at the formula as you walk by it on the shelf in the store because you are not giving in to their conspiracy to feed you and your baby crap!

 
proatc
Apprentice User Apprentice User, Joined On 12/2006
proatc  
 
 
 
Posted On Jun 14, 2007
Hence the taker away message is powdered or liquid formula, that is nutritionally dumb downed is indeed 'laughing stock' .

GOT REAL BREAST MILK?

 
Russ Bianchi
Savvy User Savvy User, Joined On 9/2006
Russ Bianchi  
 
 
 
Posted On Jun 16, 2007
I think anything the mother does on the holistic side of life will make breast milk healthier. That comes down to evening thingkin positively. Babies are products of their environment right down to the food they eat, what their parents think, feel and do. The more society realizes that they are not only here to live, life will begin to be celebrated again.

 
Josh Rubin
Moderator User Moderator User, Joined On 6/2006
Josh Rubin  
 
 
 
Posted On Jun 14, 2007
Hey, what if we could make a cow laugh? Do you think milk would come out of its nose? Would its milk be healthier? Any nursing mothers out there, hope you got a laugh out of that.

 
Laserman
Savvy User Savvy User, Joined On 6/2006
Laserman  
Replied

Kelly in NC
Novice User Novice User Joined On 6/2007
Kelly in NC  
 
Posted On Jun 16, 2007
Happy moms make happy babies in more ways than one!  Between my two babies I nursed two whole years.  My babies were very happy sweethearts and seldom cried. 

Now that they are teenagers, it still helps the whole family mood if Mom is happy.  You know what they say......if Momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy!


Rogway
Savvy User Savvy User Joined On 6/2006
Rogway  
 
Posted On Jun 16, 2007
Research has at least shown that laughter can influence ones immediate state of emotions bringing forth a bit better feeling in general. It can immediately ease your mind from your troubles. It also can be passed on to others but I didn't realize it could be passed to others through breast milking. But I guess it makes sense because everything the mother has given her baby up to breast feeding time influences it some way or the other.

I milked a cow in my youth but I never watched to see if she laughed when I was pulling on her doo-doo's, but I did notice her somewhat diferent stare at me, and for some reason she always wanted to kick at me. Never could figure why.

And YES, for the guys, you can make a cow laugh. All you have to do is drop your paints and stand beside her bull.

How do you feel after this laugh??


Reesacat
Savvy User Savvy User Joined On 1/2007
Reesacat  
 
Posted On Jun 16, 2007
Rogway, that's funny!  I feel so much better!


Amanda Rose
Savvy User Savvy User Joined On 6/2006
Amanda Rose  
 
Posted On Jul 04, 2007
This is interesting research because of the link between laughter and sleep.  If melatonin is increased in the breast milk, mom's levels must be higher as well.  I had pretty severe depression in pregnancy and postpartum and my son didn't sleep through the night until he was about two years old.  Surely his sleep affected my mental state but it appears that my state affected his sleep as well.  Here's some of my depression in pregnancy and postpartum writing.  And a bit more.

 
 
 
Posted On Jun 15, 2007
Laughing before breastfeeding may be a good idea, but I can tell you from experience that eating pepperoni is not.     ^_^

 
Bridestein
Savvy User Savvy User, Joined On 12/2006
Bridestein  
Replied

Bikin Mom
Novice User Novice User Joined On 7/2006
Bikin Mom  
 
Posted On Jul 11, 2007
TOO FUNNY! If I was still nursing, I would stop by this article and it's great comments - everyday - just to lift my spirits!

 
 
 
 
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