By Martha A. Simpson, D.O., M.B.A.
Associate Professor of Family Medicine
Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine

BREASTFED BABIES ARE HEALTHIER BOTH PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY

Question: I was reading a woman’s magazine recently and there was an article about breastfeeding that mentioned something about colostrum. I didn’t understand exactly what that was. Can you explain?
Answer: Thank you for your very timely question. August 1-7 is World Breastfeeding Week, and I’m happy once again to be part of this international celebration. This year’s theme is “Breastfeeding and Family Foods, LOVING & HEALTHY.”

Colostrum is the first milk that a new mother’s breasts produce just after the birth of her baby. This special milk is the perfect food for a newborn. It’s low in fat and high in carbohydrates, protein and antibodies. It’s also extremely easy to digest and has concentrated nutrition that’s specially designed for the newborn. Another benefit of colostrum is that it has a laxative effect on the baby. This helps in the passing of early stools and aids in the excretion of excess bilirubin, thus, helping to prevent jaundice.

The advantages of breastfeeding continue well beyond the first few weeks, when the production of colostrum declines and regular breast milk comes in. In fact, mothers should breastfeed their infants exclusively for six months. That means that your infant receives only breast milk -- from you or a wet nurse -- unless your doctor indicates otherwise.

After six months, some recommend that breastfeeding be maintained for two years or more, with the addition of complementary foods. The child should still not receive any formula -- just breast milk and some solid foods that are appropriate given local culture and custom.

The benefits of breastfeeding are supported by solid research. For instance, babies breastfed for more than six months are three times less likely to develop childhood leukemia than those who were breastfed for a shorter period of time. Also, a Danish study reported positive longterm effects on mental processes. This researcher found that children who were breastfed for at least nine months had higher I-Q test scores when tested in their late teens and twenties.

Other benefits of breastfeeding include a lower incidence of high blood pressure, respiratory infections, ear infections, diarrhea, juvenile diabetes, celiac disease, rheumatoid arthritis, urinary tract infection, multiple sclerosis, and tooth decay. There is also substantial evidence that the risk of a baby dying from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, or SIDS, is lower among breastfed infants.

And, the benefits are not just for the baby. Women who breastfeed their babies for more than two years have about half the risk of breast cancer compared to women who breastfeed for less than six months. Breastfeeding beyond six months also decreases the risk of osteoporosis for the mother. If you’re expecting, or the mother of a newborn, I’d encourage you to consider breastfeeding for at least two years.

If you’d like more information on breastfeeding and World Breastfeeding Week, look at: http://www.lalecheleague.org/ and http://www.lllusa.org/lllusa/wbw.html, respectively.

Family Medicine® is a weekly column. To submit questions, write to Martha A. Simpson, D.O., M.B.A., Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine, P.O. Box 110, Athens, Ohio 45701, or via e-mail to readerquestions@familymedicinenews.org. Medical information in this column is provided as an educational service only. It does not replace the judgment of your personal physician, who should be relied on to diagnose and recommend treatment for any medical conditions. Past columns are available online at www.familymedicinenews.org.