Health & Science News

August, 2010 - Oral Development and Breastfeeding

Children who are bottle fed tend to have a stronger non-nutritive sucking habits after the first year of life. This has been associated with an increase risk to cross bite, open bite, and Class II molar relationship. The study concludes that parents should be educated to nurse exclusively for the first six months. Click here to read the study.

June, 2010 – Don’t Drink and Drive!

Various news sources reported that a 47-year-old German woman was pulled over for breastfeeding her 18-month-old child while driving. The woman faces charges of failing to properly secure a child in a moving vehicle and for not wearing a seat belt.

June, 2010: Public messages aimed at SIDS risk reduction should encourage women to breastfeed through six months of age.

A study in the March issue of Pediatrics found that breastfeeding reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. The study compared 333 infants who died of SIDS with 998 age-matched control infants. At two weeks of age, 83% of the controls were breastfed compared to 50% of the SIDS infants. At one month of age, 72% of the controls were breastfed compared to 40% of the SIDS infants. Exclusive breastfeeding at one month cut the risk of SIDS in half.

June 30, 2010: Changes to Guidelines for Contraceptive Use Could Compromise a Woman's Ability to Breastfeed

New birth control guidelines released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) could undermine mothers who want to breastfeed by sanctioning the use of progesterone injections, progestin-only pills, as well as combined (progestin-estrogen) oral contraceptives within the first month after giving birth.

"The new guidelines ignore basic facts about how breastfeeding works," says Dr. Gerald Calnen, President of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine (ABM). "Mothers start making milk due to the natural fall in progesterone after birth. An injection of artificial progesterone could completely derail this process." Click here to read more!

June 23, 2010: Less Fever after Immunizations for the Breastfed Baby

In the June issue of Pediatrics, a study found that breastfed babies have less fevers after immunizations than formula fed babies. The protection conferred by breastfeeding persisted even when considering the role of several potential confounders.

No FPIES for the Breastfed Baby!

New information has surfaced regarding food allergies among infants. Food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES) has been found in children that are cow or soy-milk fed. According to the Food Allergy News- for Physicians, it is not a classic food allergy, as the symptoms occur later, which include “repetitive vomiting 2-3 hours following food ingestion and diarrhea. The most severe cases include lethargy, dehydration, low blood pressure, acidosis, low sodium levels, elevated numbers of white blood cells and increased platelets.” In addition to cow’s milk and soy proteins causing reactivity in children, there has also been a link with rice, oat, barley, poultry, and fish.

The good news is that breastfed babies appear to be protected from this syndrome. According to the Food Allergy News, “there are no published reports of FPIES while infants are being breastfed, even while the mother is ingesting all foods.” Just one more reason to support new mothers who are breastfeeding!

Breastfeeding Saves Lives and Money, but how can the US increase Their Rates?

Melissa Bartick’s article, The Burden of Suboptimal Breastfeeding in the United States made headlines this month when it was published in Pediatrics. It stated that the US could save 13 billion dollars a year if 90% of women breastfed their babies for the first six months. She’s been asked by US reporters how the US can increase their breastfeeding rates and why this is a problem in our country. This link will take you to Dr. Bartick’s response to the problem.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/melissa-bartick/ipeaceful-revolutioni-mot_b_536659.html?view=screen

Let’s Move!

Have you heard these words recently? The first lady, Michelle Obama is leading a campaign against childhood obesity. Well, according to the chair of the United States Breastfeeding Committee, Joan Younger Meek, MD, Multiple studies have shown that a history of not breastfeeding increases the risk of being overweight or obese in childhood and adolescence. Adolescent obesity often persists into adult life. Breastfeeding plays an important role in obesity prevention and improving overall health outcomes, and therefore is vitally important to public health."

So, what is it that reduces a person’s risk? There are two factors that play a role: satiety factors and the ratio of macronutrients. For years, research has shown that infants will stop nursing when they are full. There are two factors found in human milk, leptin and adiponectin, and each play a part in “telling” the baby they are full. Leptin is a neurotransmitter produced by fat cells and indicates the degree of hunger. It signals that plenty of fat is stored and that no more is needed. Once leptin sends the signal, babies stop eating. Adiponectin is a hormone which affects insulin sensitivity and fatty acid metabolism. It’s believed to have an effect on the body’s regulation of carbohydrates. Formula contains neither of these factors.

The ratio of protein, carbohydrates, and fat in human milk is very different than that of formula. The protein in human milk is, by design, lower than any other mammalian milk. Higher concentrations of protein stimulate the pancreas to produce more insulin, leading to greater fat deposits in the body.

Of course, breastfeeding is just the start to a healthy weight later in life. Continuing healthy eating habits for your child after they are finished breastfeeding and keeping kids active is important! But, education on obesity prevention should begin during a mother’s pregnancy. Once a woman has made the choice to breastfeed, good support is vital. Currently 60% of women are NOT reaching their breastfeeding goals. The BRC is committed to working to change that number in our community to help decrease obesity along with many other health concerns!

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