hello,
Teresa wrote:
>Well, it didn't prevent it,(her son's asthma) but that doctor was very
>clear that it made a big difference in the severity of the illness.
I agree with you and the doctor wholeheartedly :) My oldest--now 18 years
old--has had severe eczema since the age of 14 months---about the age this
very picky eater really began eating much in the way of solid foods-- But,
that was 1987--and he was my first baby--and despite being a college grad
and EMT and working in a medical office--I really didn't know much about
anything !!
The dermatologist who diagnosed Brian with eczema treated us
shabbily--actually "patted" me on the shoulder when I asked questions <!>
and told me it was "his job" to know about eczema, not mine--and then
recommended weaning Brian that weekend ! Needless to say--weaning did NOT
take place and we found a new dermatologist !!
The new dermatologist was much more child/parent friendly--and had two boys
slightly older than Brian--so, he always tried to be realistic about
treatment plans for a fussy toddler :) At the time--he told me it he
"expected" Brian would also develop asthma at a young age, because they are
related atopic diseases--and generally when a baby has severe eczema--they
go on to develop asthma by age 3 or 4. But, of course, I continued to
breastfeed--and also implemented some household "environmental"
strategies--ripping up our wall to wall carpeting, encasing the mattresses
in allergen proof fabric, etc that may have helped also. But, at least to
date--Brian has not developed asthma--although he does still have moderate
eczema :) In fact, he is a competitive runner--running cross country and
track for his high school and running 5K and 10K road races on his own--and
has great respiratory capacity !!
Both the dermatologist, whom Brian has continued to see as needed for over
16 years now, and I long ago decided that it was the extended breastfeeding
and lack of ABM that made the difference in his atopic disease :) I
suppose in a few years, I will be worrying about future daughter in laws
not BF--but, at least I have convinced my two sons and my daughter of the
many values of BF.
best,
Nancy Foster
Fairhaven, MA
Lactnet lurker and lay BF advocate
Kawasaki Disease Foundation volunteer
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