My son Ryan was diagnosed last year with Type 1 Diabetes at the age of 3.
He was breastfed until he was 18 months when he self-weaned. I can't tell
you how many times I have wondered if he would have breastfed longer would
he have not developed diabetes. At the age of 2 he developed a severe
pneumonia that resulted in a 2 week hospitalization,chest tubes and a visit
to the ICU. This incident has been theorized to have begun the destruction
of the beta cells by his MD's. I also have had multiple people point out
that my "breastfed" child developed diabetes, insinuating that breastmilk
is not a protectant against diabetes. Thank god I do not have to go to bed
each night with the guilt that i had the opportunity to protect him and
chose not to. This I believe would have been devestating to me. Diabetes in
a young child is an exhausting 24 hr struggle at times and it shocks me to
think that mothers will vaccinate their children for measles and chicken
pox but not "vaccinate" their children with breastmilk to protect them from
diabetes. My younger son is 14 months and still exclusively breastfeeding.
We have not introduced cow's milk and will not. I am lucky that I have a
pediatrician who supports this. I have also removed cows milk from Ryan's
diet and replaced it with EBM.  Ryan has been healthy with barely a cold
since the switch. (I can't say the same for my husband and I who have been
battling colds/flu since November) I will continue to inform patients of
the importance of breastfeeding to reduce the chances of diabetes and will
not feel "guilty" in using my son's story to discuss the impact of diabetes
has on a family. I believe that Ryan has diabetes for a reason... maybe it
is for his mommy to advocate for children to receive breastmilk. I would
love to have an ad on TV showing my sweet little boy's face as a reminder
of the importance of breastmilk.....a "scare" tactic--maybe...but if it
could save one child the challenges that diabetes brings.....who
cares????????
Beth Kushner-Giovenco RNC,IBCLC

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