Did anyone see the 48 hours special on Down Syndrome last night?  Not a WORD
about breastfeeding benefits for these kids.  I have a mom in my practice
that has been nursing +2 years.  the first 6 months or so she intermittently
used a Haberman feeder and pumped to boost supply but NEVER gave her child
formula.  She is still breastfeeding and intends to continue as long as the
child is interested believing in the superiority of breast milk as brain
food.  She has also begun giving her child the supplement discussed Peracetam
and Neutravine-D as well as flaxseed oil for a dry skin condition.  She says
baby has improved.  Interestingly, she was interviewed for local TV news.
 Although the 48 hours program was a balanced program, the local show touted
the benefits of the drugs without mention of the questioning of possible side
effects or lack of proven efficacy.  I know she spoke about benefits of
breastfeeding the Down's child but that was cut out.  Only her comments about
the supplements were included.
The 48 hours program showed new parents giving supplement in formula.  If
this supplement is so great, why don't they mention breastmilk as the most
important nutrient?  If I had the ability, I'd write 48 hours myself and ask
them that question.  Of course, they were really interested in the topic of
giving unapproved medication supplement to kids and the hype around that and
the mother who is pushing its use on the Internet.  Has anyone else out there
heard about this or any of their clients using this with their babies?
 Supposedly the Downs Foundation (I'm not sure of which actual organization)
is going to try to conduct a double-blind study to determine its true
effectiveness.  Wouldn't it be nice if someone were able to conduct the same
about breastfeeding?  But can you imagine how you would conduct a double
blind study on breastmilk benefits?  That's the trouble with all research on
humans, no matter what the research may show, when you are treating
individuals its all a matter of trial and error.  That's why they call it the
PRACTICE of medicine.  No flame intended.

mailto:  Jane Kershaw [log in to unmask]