>The link between cow's milk antigen exposure in the first year and
IDDM is
>still controversial--originally thought to be the reason formula fed
>babies had higher rates, but a study in the last year (published in NEJM
>or JAMA, I think) showed that the antigen did not seem to make a
>difference. The *epidemiologic*
>information that, for whatever reason, formula fed babies have a higher
>incidence of diabetes is still "true" and has not been "disproved.


I read this study (don't know if I still have the copy or not)  but the
question I had was I wondered if they controlled for how much cows milk the
breastfeeding mothers ingested.  I know I have had at least one BF mother
that could partially control the presence of ear effusion and infection by
her ingestion or avoidance of cows milk in her diet.  My hypothesis is that
if the mother's drank alot of cow's milk some of the proteins could still
get passed to the infants so the protective effect of the BM would be
somewhat muted.  It seems that some of the BF skeptics want to have it both
ways  Don't talk that drug because you are breastfeeding and the baby might
get some and yet on the other hand deny the possibility that mom's diet
could influence the child.

Jon Ahrendsen MD
Clarion Iowa