Hi Pat
There is quite a lot of evidence and studies relating the white blood
cells and antibodies in human milk do have an effect on babies. Maybe
your reluctant doctor should read Kathy Dettwyler and Patricia
Stuart-Macadam's book Breastfeeding the Biocultural Perspectives,
especially the commentary by Doren Fredrickson. He discusses immunity
and bf, quotes several studies, and impresses the idea that the
benefit of breastmilk is a dose-response curve eg the more bm you
get, the more benefits you get.

The other reference you were thinking of is
Exclusive Breastfeeding Protects Against Bacterial Colonization and
Day Care Exposure to Otitis Media Linda C. Duffy, PhD*+; Howard Faden,
MD*; Raymond Wasielewski, MS+; Judy Wolf, MS*; Debra Krystofik, RN*;
and Tonawanda/Williamsville Pediatrics§
Pediatrics 100(4) 1997
It is part of their on-line journal
URL: http://www.pediatrics.org/cgi/content/
full/100/4/e7

Another useful reference from the same source is:
A Longitudinal Analysis of Infant Morbidity and the Extent of
Breastfeeding in the United States
Paula D. Scariati, DO, MPH*; Laurence M. Grummer-Strawn, PhD+; and
Sara Beck Fein, PhD§
Breastfeeding protects US infants
against the development of diarrhea and ear infection.
Breastfeeding does not have to be exclusive to confer this
benefit. In fact, protection is afforded in a dose-response
manner. The more breast milk an infant receives in the
first 6 months of life, the less likely that he or she will
develop diarrhea or ear infection. Pediatrics 1997;99(6).
URL: http://www.pediatrics.org/cgi/content/full/99/6/e5;

Hope this helps
Fiona

Fiona Coombes MBBS IBCLC               [log in to unmask]
Lactation Consultant, Family Physician
Perth Western Australia