benefits of extended nursing

[wondercat]

Because many of you don't know about the benefits and because I have had people ask me, here they are:

http://www.kellymom.com/bf/bfextended/ebf-benefits.html

Comments

[balamuthia]

I'd like to reiterate that I have never said that formula is better than breastfeeding. What I do get tired of is being looked down on for my choice to formula feed.

Nursing toddlers are SICK LESS OFTEN

See...this one I was just mentioning to Kitten. Juni has only been sick a couple of times- usually a stomach bug from licking the floor (lol)...but all of your kids have allergies and colds rather frequently. I suppose it's a statistical anomaly?

As to the "formula fed kids are obese", well- Sam was exclusively breastfed for the first year of his life and is obese. My grandma formula fed all of her five kids and none of them are obese even though she is. Juniper isn't showing any signs of being obese, however since both of his parents are it's a high possibility that he will be too. That's isn't because he drank formula- it's because we're fat.

A large portion of the gathered statistics in favor of breastfeeding come from third world countries, where of course non-breastfed children are sicker

[wondercat]

Actually, my boys are rarely ill and do not appear to have allergies. Armando is the one who gets sick a lot and really suffers from allergies. Occassionally we'll all get a stomaach bug or soemthing, but it pretty much can always be pinpointed to Armando bringing it to us from either school or the daycare he frequents with his mother. Alos, my kids recover much fatser and suffer less of the symptoms than their brother.

[wondercat]

Nursing toddlers between the ages of 16 and 30 months have been found to have fewer illnesses and illnesses of shorter duration than their non-nursing peers (Gulick 1986).

[balamuthia]

*shrug* All I can attest to is you've cancelled play dates due to colds and/or allergies, you've mentioned to me that the kids have allergies- and I've seen very regular runny noses, sneezes, and wet coughs.

Listen, I'm not trying to "compare kids" as kitten put it- I'm only pointing out that there are exceptions to every single rule, and that includes formula and breastfed children.

I guess I look at LLL and wonder what the ultimate end is here? If it's simple education about the benefits of breastfeeding, I'm all for that.

I've seen, though, that there seems to be a full on frontal assault against formula companies and I can't help but think it might be a one-sided war. Formula companies provide something that some moms need and that others choose to give their children- they have disclaimers in their commercials and on all of the cans of formula that say "breastfeeding is best for your kids

[wondercat]

"I guess I look at LLL and wonder what the ultimate end is here? If it's simple education about the benefits of breastfeeding, I'm all for that

[balamuthia]

Thanks for that, I will admit that when I saw you call (random unimportant celebrity) a "moron" for being misinformed I was surprised for more than one reason- but mostly it was just because I never really hear you use language that strong, LOL!

I really, really wish that more members of LLL were like you inreality, instead of just "on paper". You're one of the sweetest, most supportive people I've ever had the pleasure of knowing- and I wouldn't want to squash that!

*hugs*

P.S. I don't think we're going to be able to do the zoo- the heat is really killing me. I do have more stuff for you- including some socks and shoes for the kiddo's so just let me know when you want to pick it up. :)

[wondercat]

Bummer. We'll miss ya. Wanna plan another trip for once school has started and the weather is cooler? We are free t o hang out today and tomorrow. Thursday is zoo, then Arkansas and when we get back mmy car is going to the shop.

[balamuthia]

We could maybe get lunch at Sing Kee tomorrow? Sam has to be at work at...2, I think but we could maybe get some food and I could get you the donatable stuff.

So, how about noon?

[wondercat]

Sounds good, can we make it noon thirty though, we have to wait for ARmando's bus. Might make it as early as 12:20, but he gets here right before or at 12:00. We will meet ya at your place? Room only for 2 in van though. Is resturant walking distance? (me not sure why grammar suddenly changing, me thinks me feeling full and sleepy)

[balamuthia]

Restaurant in easy walking distance. You go sleepy time now. See you twelve thirty.

[rjgrady]

See, I just assumed Juni never got sick because he was a clone of his father, who also never gets sick.

I would never use breastmilk to cure an eye infection, or anything other than hunger or skin dryness.

I am going to cite exactly one study:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7751991

"To determine whether breast-feeding is protective against infection in relatively affluent populations, ... These results indicate that the reduction in morbidity associated with breast-feeding is of sufficient magnitude to be of public health significance

[balamuthia]

"I think genetics is going to win that fight, the best I can do is try to keep a clean house and avoid excessive exposure to allergens."

That's exactly what I'm saying here. Breast milk isn't going to offer a child with obese parents protection from obesity, or ones with allergies protection from allergies. Genetics is still the major determining factor in those things and many more. Not breast milk.

[rjgrady]

"What I do get tired of is being looked down on for my choice to formula feed."

Perhaps you should direct your anger toward those people, then. It makes no sense to attack Alison and I who tried in every way we knew how to help you through a difficult time.

This is Alison's journal, she's talking about stuff that she is interested in, and you are attacking her. This journal entry is not about you, it's about information that Alison thinks is important. I am sorry you feel persecuted, but it is certainly not Alison that is accusing you of anything.

[balamuthia]

I'll reiterate- I haven't attacked Alison.

And just in case you missed it that time:

I HAVEN'T ATTACKED ALISON.

She and I have actually engaged in pleasant, civil conversation (something I know you're only marginally capable of) and even rescheduled a visit to the zoo in the middle of all this.

You, on the other hand, saw that I might be saying something negative about breastfeeding and dove right in.

[rjgrady]

"I'd like to reiterate that I have never said that formula is better than breastfeeding. What I do get tired of is being looked down on for my choice to formula feed."

Do you not see how defensive this reads? his post was not directed at you, yet you immediately begin with "I'd like to reiterate..." as if this were some ongoing debate between you and Alison.

And now you're attacking my character, which I don't know how this became a topic of conversation. Fine, I'm unpleasant, and uncivil. I'll keep in mind you think that and try to avoid bothering you in the future.

[balamuthia]

So, what would you like for the outcome of this to be?

I apologized to Alison, I let her know that it was never my intention to attack her, I made sure she understood that I wasn't calling her parenting ability into question and in fact commended her for all that she does.

If you look back on our history, then you'll see that yes- it's often next to impossible to discuss with you anything at all that you feel strongly about. I usually try to avoid it, however in this case I didn't have much of a choice.