I understand concerns regarding mass rotavirus vaccination.  However, if
you've ever had the unfortunate experience of caring for a child with a mod
to severe rotavirus infection, you might feel differently.  While it is true
that breastfeeding babies have a lower incidence of resp and GI infections,
they aren't immune to rotavirus.  They still contract the disease and can
get very sick.  Breastfeeding definately seems to help make the infection
less severe.  When my son was 12 months, and still nearly solely
breastfeeding (he never received any formula supplements and barely ate any
solid foods since he preferred mom's milk), he got a rotavirus infection.
He became extremely ill and we went through 2 days of vomiting followed by
another 3 days of severe diarrhea.  Thankfully, I was able to get him
through this illness with love and supportive care at home- although just
barely.  One of his daycare buddies, who was a 15 month old and had only
breastfed the first couple of months of life, became extremely ill and
dehydrated requiring admission for 2 days of IV fluids.  This experience
reaffirmed my belief that breastfeeding is very protective for infection.
However, it can't completely prevent illness.  Because of how sick he and
his friend became, and as a Pediatrician, knowing that this happens to many
infants each year (it's mainly a problem during the first year of life- thus
the reason for immunizing so early), it does seem prudent to prevent this
disease if possible.  Parents should definitely continue to be told about
the many protective and beneficial effects of breastfeeding.  (Immunizing
against one virus certainly doesn't protect against the hundreds of other
viruses causing illness.  I believe the AAP also has a good policy statement
promoting breastfeeding.)
These are just my 2 cents worth, so to speak.

Michele Chai, MD
Neonatologist