This is one of the many burps from a very large study, the KOALA studies, Maastricht University. It feeds a whole generation of medical and nursing university graduates with promotion research papers. One of the side-tracks they explore is if organic and ''alternative'' (antroposophic) living families have different health outcomes. They did find some surpluss for organic cow's milk as opposed to standard supermarket milk. Google Scholar with search terms KOALA Maastricht University genrates 150 hits.

Warmly,

Gonnek, IBCLC in PP, LC lecturer preparing next academic year's lactation courses in southern Netherlands 

--- On Wed, 8/25/10, heather <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

From: heather <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: [LACTNET] Dutch study of 6 mths excl bf
To: [log in to unmask]
Date: Wednesday, August 25, 2010, 5:39 PM

Here's a large epidemiological study done in the Netherlands, on babies born between 2002 and 2006, totalling 7893 subjects (ie western cohort; recent data).

It shows that *exclusive breastfeeding to 4 mths*  as opposed to partial breastfeeding is protective against infant illness (respiratory tract, gastro) and *exclusive bf to 6 mths* is more protective again. Protection  is assessed up to age 12 mths.

They did not find a 'dose-related' effect of partial breastfeeding ie compared with 'never breastfed' partial breastfeeding did not show a lower risk.

The study controls for variables such as education, smoking, etc and finds the effects still pertain.

The study is online.

Duijts et al, Pediatrics 2010; 126; e18-e25.

Prolonged and Exclusive breastfeeding reduces the risk of infectious diseases in infancy.

Authors conclude findings support current health policies to promote excl bf for at least 4 mths and preferably 6 mths in industrialised countries.

Heather Welford Neil
NC T bfc, tutor, UK
-- http://www.heatherwelford.co.uk

http://heatherwelford.posterous.com

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