Two articles highlighted in the latest MCH Alert from the  National Center 
for Education in Maternal and Child Health mention breastfeeding  (although not 
as emphatically or positively as I would have liked).
 
Kathy Pasakarnis
 

SELF-STUDY MODULES AVAILABLE TO HELP HEALTH AND  EARLY CHILDHOOD
PROFESSIONALS PROMOTE ORAL HEALTH FOR INFANTS AND YOUNG  CHILDREN

Open Wide: Oral Health Training for Health  Professionals is a series of
four self-contained online modules designed to  help health and early
childhood professionals working in community settings  (e.g., Head Start
and WIC staff) promote oral health in the course of  promoting general
health for infants, children, and their families. The  modules were
prepared by the National Maternal and Child Oral Health Resource  Center
and the Center for the Advancement of Distance Education at the  University
of Illinois at Chicago with support from the Maternal and Child  Health
Bureau. Topics include tooth decay, risk factors for tooth decay,  and
prevention of tooth decay; oral health risk assessment and oral  health
screening; and anticipatory guidance for parents. Each module includes  an
overview, learning objectives, key points, a self-assessment quiz,  online
resources, and an evaluation form. A glossary and a list of  presentations,
print materials, and videotapes are also presented. The  modules are
available at _http://www.mchoralhealth.org/OpenWide/index_ 
(http://www.mchoralhealth.org/OpenWide/index) .

The  sections mentioning breastfeeding were:
 
2.6 Are Breastfed Infants at Lower Risk for Tooth  Decay?
Breastfeeding is associated with a low risk of developing tooth decay,  
compared with bottle feeding. Nevertheless, breastmilk does contain  carbohydrates, 
and some infants who breastfeed for long periods throughout the  day or night 
may develop tooth decay. To reduce the likelihood of sugary fluids  pooling 
around the teeth, infants should be removed from the breast when they  finish 
feeding. 
Module 2: Risk Factors for Tooth Decay
Key Points: Breastfeeding is associated with a low risk of  developing tooth 
decay, compared with bottle feeding. 
Module 4: What to Do and How to Do It
Anticipatory Guidance to Share with Parents of Infants (Birth  to Age 1)
Nutrition Guidance
    *   Breastfeed the infant exclusively for approximately the first 6 
months of  life, and continue for at least 12 months or for as long as the mother 
and  infant wish to continue. Breastmilk provides the infant advantages with 
regard  to general health, growth, and development, while significantly 
decreasing the  infant’s risk for a large number of acute and chronic diseases. 
 
BONE HEALTH AND OSTEOPOROSIS
 
Bone Health and Osteoporosis: A Report of the Surgeon General  presents
scientific evidence related to the prevention, assessment,  diagnosis, and
treatment of bone disease and provides a tool for educating  Americans
about how they can promote bone health throughout their lives. The  report,
commissioned by Congress, was initiated by a federal interagency  work
group, followed by a Surgeon General's Workshop convened in December  2002.
Experts from across the country provided guidance and insights. The  report
presents information on the magnitude of the problem, challenges  in
diagnosis and treatment, the impact of disease on minority  populations,
promising prevention strategies, how to improve professional  education and
promote public awareness, and ways to enhance access to key  health
services. The report is intended for use by policymakers; national,  state,
and local public health officials; health system leaders;  health
professionals; community advocates; and individuals. The executive  summary
and full report, along with other relevant materials, are available  at:
http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/bonehealth.

The pertinent  section states:
 

Babies
 
Bone growth starts before babies are born. Premature and low-birth-weight  
infants often need extra calcium, phosphorus, and protein to help them catch up  
on the nutrients they need for strong bones. Breastfed babies get the calcium 
 and nutrients they need for good bone growth from their mothers. That's why  
mothers who breastfeed need extra vitamin D. Most baby formula has calcium 
and  vitamin D.
 


Kathleen  Fallon Pasakarnis, M.Ed. IBCLC
Nurturing Family Lactation and Parenting  Services

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