oh good grief. not only is this "decreased risk" another "benefit" of breastfeeding (instead of saying "_not_bf_increases_the likelihood of future allergies"), but *maybe* those benefits cease the instant the breast*milk* does? hmmmm

vicki hayes rn ibclc in brunswick ga, who wasn't breastfed, who is so happy for all the rain washing away all the pollen that has given me miserable allergy symptoms lately

***************************************

from "Top 9 biggest seasonal allergy myths" 

http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=news/health&id=6739826 :

#8) Fact or Myth? Breast-Feeding Reduces the Likelihood of Future Allergies in Your Children 

Answer: Undetermined 

While the benefits of breast-feeding are often touted to expectant and new mothers, it's not clear that preventing allergies are among them. 

While breast-feeding, Dalan said, there appears to be some benefit to the baby in terms of avoiding allergies. 

"The breast milk has protective antibodies and the infant's immune system is not quite developed to the degree it can be," he said. "This is not just for allergies, but it's for anything in the baby's environment." 

"It could be. There's a lot of protective aspects about breast-feeding," Katial said. "There might be some benefits, but you can't say absolutely." 

"It may delay onset of allergies," he added, but noted that "that one's a little more gray." 

For his part, Shulan said that "I've seen a number of articles suggesting that, at least for children, there is a decrease in allergies for children who have been breast-fed." 

A definitive study, however, was lacking, so until then, this seasonal allergy myth will remain a little dusty. 

             ***********************************************

Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html
To reach list owners: [log in to unmask]
Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask]
COMMANDS:
1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail
2. To start it again: set lactnet mail
3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome