Effects of feeding on state and cardiac regulation in the infant.

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 nonfeeding periods than before, but similar before and after feeding periods.