Dr. James McKenna

Dr. James J. McKenna (born 1948) is an American biological anthropologist and the world's leading authority on mother-infant co-sleeping.

He founded and directed the Mother-Baby Behavioral Sleep Laboratory at the University of Notre Dame, where he held the Edmund P. Joyce C.S.C. Chaired Professorship of Anthropology.

Over more than 40 years of research, Dr. McKenna coined the term 'breastsleeping' to describe the integrated system of breastfeeding and bedsharing. He is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and author of 'Safe Infant Sleep: Expert Answers to Your Cosleeping Questions'.

His work has fundamentally reshaped scientific understanding of infant sleep biology and the risks and benefits of different sleep arrangements.

Dr. James McKenna is an independent professional. This profile is an editorial summary of their published work and does not imply endorsement of or affiliation with Co-Sleeping Hub.