Breastfeeding even better for baby girls

[ErinB]

Good news Ann!

 

Quote:

Mom's Milk Helps Girls' Lung Health By Will Dunham,Reuters Posted: 2008-06-02 13:40:53 Filed Under: Health News WASHINGTON (June 2) - Breast-feeding gives all infants numerous health advantages compared to baby formula, but in at least one respect girls get a greater benefit from breast milk than boys, researchers said on Monday.   The researchers tracked a group of very low birth weight, pre-term infants in Buenos Aires to gauge the protective effect of breast-feeding against respiratory infections in babies. They found that infant girls who were breast-fed were far less likely than baby boys who were breast-fed to develop serious respiratory infections requiring hospitalization.   A lot of research has shown that breast-fed babies enjoy a range of health benefits compared to those given baby formula beyond combating respiratory infections.   These include fewer ear, stomach or intestinal infections, digestive problems, skin diseases and allergies, and less risk of developing high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity. And some research has shown breast-fed babies are smarter, too.   "There are many, many different diseases that are protected against by breast-feeding. It's a great source of nutrition. It's important for development. Everyone benefits from breast-feeding," Dr. Fernando Polack of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, one of the researchers, said in a telephone interview.   "Now, in the specific case of acute respiratory diseases like bronchiolitis and viral infections of the respiratory tract, it seems that there is greater benefit in girls than in boys. And that benefit is substantial," he said.   Bronchiolitis is an infection of the airways of the lungs seen most often in infants between about 3 and 6 months old.   The researchers studied a group of 119 high-risk infants who weighed under about 3.3 pounds (1,500 grams) at delivery. This population is highly susceptible to these kinds of infections, Polack said.   Fifty percent of the baby girls who were formula-fed had to be hospitalized when they experienced their first respiratory infection, compared to about 7 percent of the girls who were breast-fed, the researchers wrote in the journal Pediatrics.   There was no difference between the boys who were breast-fed or formula-fed -- with about 19 percent of both groups needing hospitalization when they got their first respiratory infection, the researchers said.   The pattern repeated throughout the first year of life and in subsequent infections, the researchers said.   Polack said there may be something in the breast milk that better activates a baby girl's ability to cope with such infections more so than it does for a baby boy.   The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that women who do not have health problems exclusively breast-feed their infants for at least the first six months, with it continuing at least through the first year as other foods are introduced.   (Editing by Eric Beech)     Copyright 2008 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL. 2008-06-02 10:40:23

[Monique]

Well besides the health benefits it sure beats stumbling around in the kitchen half asleep in the dark trying to make a bottle...I breast feed for 11 months and made my own baby food...and I tell you it saved many a nights rest and your wallet...I didn't realize how expensive formula was...

[Celina]

TOTALLY AGREE!

 

Even if your baby doesn't latch on (like mine) - PUMP!! Rent one, buy one - whatever! I have had two VERY healthy kids and credit it all to breastmilk! You can even freeze it in a deep freezer.

 

I must say, when the supply dried up and I was down to that last bag of frozen milk - I was SO sad! My son loved it so much.

 

I used to call them protein shakes!

[LCBride2007]

well this is interesting! i am pumping as wek speak (or, umm, type!)

[FinisterraBride]

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnnR well this is interesting! i am pumping as wek speak (or, umm, type!)

Isnt it amazing what you are able to do as a mommy? I could pump or nurse and do almost anything else.

Mothers are mulitasked woman!

[Pisces]

I agree. Our bodies are amazing things! I have never been a mommy, but breastfeeding is one thing I'm most looking forward to. haha

[Christine]

my inlaws just bought my pump for me! So we are pretty set to get started, baby just has to arrive!

[Kryztan]

I just finished breastfeeding!!! I did so for 7 months. My baby was born almost 9 pounds and continued to be completely healthy and ahead developmentally because of it. It is hard to get through the first couple of weeks...but is soooo worth it!

[Monique]

Yes....I cannot stress enough to give yourself a full month before you judge breastfeeding...You may be so ready to quit after a few days but believe me it gets easier and you'll love it..besides your face is the face your baby sees while it's eating...A beautiful thing...and you lose that baby belly way quick...you can feel the contractions when they nurse...weird at first but great results!

[FinisterraBride]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kryztan I just finished breastfeeding!!! I did so for 7 months. My baby was born almost 9 pounds and continued to be completely healthy and ahead developmentally because of it. It is hard to get through the first couple of weeks...but is soooo worth it!

We were in the same boat - my son is 9 months and was born 9 lbs even - I nursed until he was 7 months but it got hard with working out for the wedding and working full time - I just couldnt keep up anymore.

I am so glad I did it - he never gets sick and is super healthy - losing weight quicker is a great selfish perk too!