<http://www.babyfriendly.org.uk/> http://www.babyfriendly.org.uk/ 

Baby Friendly Initiative statement on new breastfeeding research

A number of newspaper articles have today reported on a Norwegian study
which has found an association between higher levels of male hormones in
pregnancy and the ability to breastfeed after birth. The authors are
reported to have extrapolated from their findings that mothers' ability to
breastfeed is entirely down to these hormone levels. They are also reported
to have claimed that exposure to high levels of testosterone before birth
account for the differences in health outcomes between breast and bottle fed
babies. The findings of this small study are of interest and may warrant
further investigation. However, the claims made in relation to these
findings do not account for the large differences in breastfeeding rates
between countries, with some having 99% of mothers successfully
breastfeeding. They are also contradicted by the large body of evidence
which shows that levels of successful breastfeeding can be increased by a
range of improved support interventions.

The claims made relating to the health outcomes of breastfeeding do not
account for the dose response found in many studies, which show that babies
breastfed exclusively or for longer periods have the best overall outcomes.

The study does not account for or tally with the known mechanisms for how
breastmilk protects against illness. For example, breastmilk contains a
range of anti-infective properties including immunoglobulins, white cells,
anti-inflammatory components, enzymes and non-antibody factors such as
lactoferrin and the bifidus factor.

The body of evidence for the benefits of breastfeeding is very large and
comes from a wide range of studies into many different illnesses, carried
out by numerous researchers in many different universities. Read more here
<http://comms.unicef.org.uk/t/236349/2221986/2414315/0/> .


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

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