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Author

James J. McKenna, PhD

Professor James J. McKenna is recognized as the world’s leading authority on mother-infant co-sleeping, in relationship to breastfeeding and SIDS. In recognition of his work in 2009 he was admitted as a Fellow into the select body of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the world's most prestigious scientific society. That same year and in recognition of his extensive work with television, radio, and print media he received from the American Anthropological Association the “2008 Anthropology In The Media Award” one of the top three awards presented to anthropologists by the association in recognition of his distinguished work in educating the public to the importance of anthropological concepts.

He received his undergraduate degree in anthropology from the University of California, Berkeley in 1970, his Master's Degree from San Diego State University in 1972, and his Ph.D. in biological anthropology from the University of Oregon, Eugene, in 1975.

After teaching anthropology at the University of California, Berkeley as a Visiting Assistant Professor for two years, he accepted a tenure track position (in anthropology) at Pomona College in Claremont, California, where he was awarded an Endowed Chair, and remained for twenty years. Recruited by the University of Notre Dame in 1997, since then, as was true at Pomona College, he has won every teaching prize he has been eligible for, including most recently the College of Arts and Letters highest teaching award, the Sheedy Award, 2008.

Initially Professor McKenna specialized in studying the social behavior of monkeys and apes but the birth of his son in 1978 he began to apply the principles of human behavioral evolution to the understanding of human infancy. At the University of California, Irvine School of Medicine, Department of Neurology his research team pioneered the first studies of the physiology and behavior of mothers and infant sleeping together and apart, using physiological and behavioral recording devices.

Professor McKenna has published over 139 refereed scientific articles in diverse medical and anthropological journals on co-sleeping, breastfeeding, evolutionary medicine and SIDS, and both here and abroad he gives over 20 lectures especially to pediatric groups and parents. Here in the United States he remains one of the primary spokesperson to the media on issues pertaining to sleeping arrangements, nighttime breast feeding and SIDS prevention.

He has also published two monographs on SIDS and infant sleep, and co-edited two books:  Evolutionary Medicine (published by Oxford in 1999) and Evolutionary Medicine And Health: New Perspectives, also with Oxford University Press. His first trade book for parents was published in 2008 entitled: Sleeping With Your Baby: A Parents Guide To Co-sleeping, and was recently translated and available in Spanish and Dutch.

Links

  • Dr. James McKenna's vita (PDF)
  • List of Publications
  • Invited National and International Presentations
  • Dr. McKenna's Selected Public Media Presentations
Books

Safe Infant Sleep: Expert Answers To Your Cosleeping Questions, A New…

James J. McKenna, PhD Jan 8, 2020 0
An Excerpt from the New Book by James McKenna, PhD About the book In Safe Infant Sleep, the world’s authority on cosleeping breaks down…
Attachment Parenting / Bonding

BreastSLEEPING: Can A New Science-Based Holistic Concept Create Cultural…

James J. McKenna, PhD Oct 6, 2015 0
CENTRAL ISSUES Of The Breastfeeding, Cosleeping and Now "Breastsleeping" Controversy In the interview below, the world's leading expert on mother-baby…
Attachment Parenting / Bonding

Researchers Propose “BREASTSLEEPING” As New Term And Concept

James J. McKenna, PhD Sep 28, 2015 0
LISTEN TO AND READ Kindred's Interview with Dr. McKenna on the term "breastsleeping." Watch Kindred's New Story Video Series - featured on University of Notre…
Cosleeping

“Cosleeping: Science, History, Public Policy and Parents’…

James J. McKenna, PhD Mar 13, 2014 0
Co-Sleeping - The Full 18 Minute Interview with James McKenna, PhD from Kindred Magazine on Vimeo. What is Co-Sleeping? Defining the Term for Parents,…
Conscious Parenting

Cosleeping and Biological Imperatives: Why Human Babies Do Not and Should…

James J. McKenna, PhD Oct 30, 2013 1
Did you know a new survey shows that the number of cosleeping families have doubled in the past decade?  Read about the survey here on Kindred. …
Breastfeeding

New Survey Shows Cosleeping Families Double In Past Decade; Is Backlash…

James J. McKenna, PhD Oct 3, 2013 0
Discover the science of co-sleeping in the Kindred video series with Dr. James McKenna, executive director of the Mother-Baby Behavioral Sleep Laboratory at…
Babies

Kindred’s Interview Series With James McKenna, PhD, On Infant…

James J. McKenna, PhD Feb 21, 2013 0
Cosleeping: Science, History, Public Policy And Parents' Civil Rights, With James McKenna, PhD https://youtu.be/fgNBFR4fQXU In an interview with Lisa…
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Editor's Picks

Attachment Parenting / Bonding

Forget Upstream Activism: We Are The Stream

Attachment Parenting / Bonding

Powerful Parenting Magic

Books

The Web of Meaning: The Introduction to the Book by Jeremy Lent

Addiction

How to Take Back Power When You’ve Lost It

ACES, Adverse Childhood Experiences

How A Weight Loss Clinic “Mistake” And A Shipboard…

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  • Front Page
  • About
    • Who Are We?
    • Press Room
    • Our Family
    • Lisa Reagan, Kindred’s Editor
    • Our Contributors
    • Children’s Wellbeing Manifesto
    • Kindred World Initiatives
    • Kindred’s International Editorial Advisory Board
    • Contact Us
  • Articles
    • Conscious Parenting
      • ACES, Adverse Childhood Experiences
      • Attachment Parenting
      • Black Mothers
      • Breastfeeding
      • Evolved Nest
      • Midwifery
      • Parenting for Social Change
      • Pregnancy & Birth
      • Worklife Law
    • Culture
      • Adultism
      • American Democracy At The Crossroads
      • Authoritarianism
      • Caring Economy
      • Childism
      • Conscious Activism
      • Dominator System
      • Education
      • Inspiration
      • Literacy
      • Partnerism
      • Racism
      • Religion
      • Social Justice
      • Spirituality
    • Sustainability
      • Ecocentrism
      • Environmental Justice
      • Food
      • Food Sovereignty
      • Indigenous Wisdom
      • Neurobiology and Wisdom
      • Social Justice
      • Sustainable Wisdom
      • Thinking Global
    • Wellbeing
      • Addiction
      • Chemical Free Living
      • Mindfulness
      • Nature Connection
      • Neurobiology and Wisdom
      • Play
      • Psychology / Self-help
      • Relationship Literacy
      • Spirituality
      • Sustainable Wisdom
      • Trauma-Informed
      • Wellness-Informed
  • Podcasts
    • Fireside Chats
    • Interviews
  • Videos
  • Resources
    • How To Get Involved With Kindred World
    • New Story Glossary
    • Kindred’s Wisdom Archives
    • Conscious Parenting Newspaper
    • Adverse Childhood Events – Trauma Recovery Resources
    • Birth and Pregnancy
    • Black Mothers and Fathers Resources
    • Breastfeeding Resources
    • Circumcision
    • Culture Transformation Resources
    • Education Reform and Alternative Education Resources
    • Environmental, Toxin-Free Living
    • Equity – Diversity – Inclusion
    • Food and Farming
    • Kindred’s Wisdom Archives
    • Mindfulness (Self-Regulation Practices)
    • National Child Traumatic Stress Network Resources
    • Play Resources
    • Work Life Law – Breastfeeding and Paid Parenting Leave
    • Vaccination Safety and Informed Choices
  • DONATE – Conscious Giving Is Fun!

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