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Question
I am debating with the whole breastfeeding concept . I am well aware of the
benefits that have been told to me by the "experts," but my three sisters
all breastfed, all had textbook deliveries, and remained healthy
post-delivery, and I on the other-hand had to formula-feed my son. All of
our children were cared for at home until kindergarten.(all born at
different times). Their children were constantly ill with colds, ear
infections, etc. My son never got ill until he was in the middle of his
kindergarten year. I am now expecting my second in early September, and
wondered if I should try breastfeeding or should I stick with a winner? Can
you help? - Cecilia, Mountain View CA
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Hi, Cecilia -
As you already know,
breastfeeding a baby doesn't guarantee he won't get sick, just as
formula feeding doesn't automatically mean you'll have a sickly baby.
However, research study after research study shows that breastfed
babies have lower infection rates than formula fed babies.
Breastmilk actually contains living cells that fight infection, and the
breast will make antibodies for the germs your baby comes in contact
with. The list of diseases breastfeeding offers at least some
protection against grows daily: colds, ear infections, diarrhea,
juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, some childhood cancers, diabetes,
Crohn's disease, SIDS, etc. If your baby does get sick, chances are it
will be a lighter case and he'll get over it more quickly if he is
breastfed than if he isn't.
And breastfeeding is good for you, too. It helps lower your risk of
breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, and osteoporosis, to
name just a few.
I can't promise that your new baby won't get sick if you breastfeed
him, but it might just be worth stacking the odds in his favor!
Melissa Vickers, IBCLC
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