Effects of feeding on state and cardiac regulation in the infant

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Abstract
The effects of feeding on polygraphic state patterns and associated cardiac rates were examined in 8 normal infants using data collected during 12‐hr continuous monitoring sessions at 1 week and at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 months of age. The distribution of states and corresponding heart rate values were tabulated for each minute during 2‐hr periods preceding and following wakenings with and without feedings. Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep was significantly more prevalent immediately following a waking accompanied by feeding than waking alone. Moreover, a distinct relationship was demonstrated between feeding periods and the ongoing sleep cycle. In younger infants (1 week to 1 month), heart rates in quiet sleep (QS) and REM were higher after feeding than before, suggesting a general arousal influence. This was not the case with nonfeeding wakenings. In older infants (2–3 months), heart rates were higher after nonfeedings periods than before, but similar before and after feeding periods.